Belgium–Dominican Republic accord on diplomats' families takes effect

The agreement between the Kingdom of Belgium and the Dominican Republic on the exercise of lucrative activities by certain family members of diplomatic and consular staff will enter into force on 1 September 2026, in accordance with its Article 7. The entry into force was announced in the Moniteur belge (Belgisch Staatsblad) of 21 August 2026, issue N. 187, 196th year, p. 45838, under the official reference C-2024/000807.

The announcement accompanies the publication of the Law of 7 January 2024 approving the accord, which was signed in Brussels on 17 June 2022. The law was adopted by the federal parliament on the basis of parliamentary documents 55-3613, with the integral report of 25 October 2023.

The agreement and its scope

The accord, concluded between the two States, governs the exercise of paid activities by certain members of the family of personnel serving in diplomatic missions and consular posts. Its purpose is to allow spouses and other eligible relatives of accredited staff to take up gainful employment in the host country, a matter traditionally restricted under diplomatic practice.

The agreement applies symmetrically, covering the families of Belgian agents posted to the Dominican Republic and Dominican agents posted to Belgium. Under its terms, the families of diplomatic and consular personnel in both countries may engage in lucrative activities under the conditions set out in the instrument.

Approval and entry into force

The Law of 7 January 2024 gave federal assent to the accord, which was subsequently approved at the regional level by the competent authorities:

• Flemish Region — decree of 22 December 2023 (Moniteur belge of 12 January 2024)
• Walloon Region — decree of 14 March 2024 (Moniteur belge of 25 April 2024)
• Brussels-Capital Region — ordinance of 23 November 2023 (Moniteur belge of 20 March 2024)
• German-speaking Community — decree of 29 January 2024 (Moniteur belge of 1 March 2024)

The treaty enters into force on 1 September 2026, as provided in its Article 7, following completion of the internal approval procedures in both States.

Issuing authority

The publication falls under the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation (Service public fédéral Affaires étrangères, Commerce extérieur et Coopération au Développement), the Belgian authority responsible for the country’s international agreements. The text appears in the section of the gazette devoted to laws, decrees, ordinances and regulations.

Relevance for readers

The entry into force removes a practical barrier for the families of diplomatic and consular personnel serving in both countries, allowing them to pursue professional activity rather than being confined to the restrictions that normally apply to dependants of accredited staff. For Belgian families posted to the Dominican Republic and Dominican families posted to Belgium, the accord provides a clear legal basis for taking up paid work from 1 September 2026 onwards.

Source: Moniteur belge (Belgisch Staatsblad), N. 187, 21 August 2026, p. 45838 (official reference: C-2024/000807).