Amateur radio is a hobby involving radio communications; it allows to establish contact with radio amateurs worldwide. A radio amateur holding a class A operator’s certificate is also allowed to build his/her own equipment. We can say that it is a technical hobby.
BIPT is charged with overseeing amateur radio in Belgium.
Amateur radio differs from the CB (Citizen Band) which is not subject to authorisation.
Becoming a radio amateur
You must demonstrate certain knowledge and skills to become a radio amateur. Radio amateur exams are organised at the BIPT premises in Brussels. There is at least one session a month.
The operator’s certificate
The operator’s certificate is similar to a driver’s licence: it allows you to transmit signals as a radio amateur. The certificate is issued by the Institute, is valid for 5 years and includes a call sign. Please note that this certificate alone does not allow you to possess a station, you must also hold a station authorisation.
According to the class of your operator’s certificate, you must also follow a frequency plan.
Station authorisation
In addition to your operator’s certificate, if you possess your own equipment, you must also hold a station authorisation. If the operator’s certificate is comparable to a driver’s licence, the station authorisation is similar to the registration of your equipment.
Frequencies
Frequency bands and technical characteristics authorised for radio amateurs.
Decisions
- Decision of 19 January 2021 concerning the setting of rules and conditions applicable to tests and examinations for radio amateurs
- Decision of 24th May 2019 on frequencies, capacities and transmission modes that radio amateurs are allowed to use
- Decision of 26 October 2010 on the possibility for the holders of an ON3 radio amateur licence who passed their exam before 15 September 2005 to apply for an ON2 call sign
Billing of radio amateurs 2026
In early January 2026, radio amateurs received a payment request for their station licence and, if applicable, their additional call sign. Previously, failure to pay this invoice by the due date automatically resulted in the cancellation of the file. Reactivating it involved paying an administration fee.
To avoid these additional costs, the BIPT has decided that in the event of non-payment by the due date of the invoice, a “reminder” will be sent, granting an additional period of 15 days. The file will be deactivated on the basis of non-payment following this “reminder”.
Please note that if the 2025 licence expires before the 2026 licence is received, using the station is not permitted in the meantime. In order to avoid this period of prohibited use, prompt payment is recommended.
Information: validity of radio amateur licences
According to the Act of 27 February 2019 on the electronic exchange of messages using the eBox, the BIPT (as a user as determined in Article 2, 1°, i) of said Act) is required to use the eBox for the electronic exchange of messages with natural person recipients who explicitly agreed to this beforehand. Consequently, all recipients who’s eBox has been activated, will receive their annual 5th category licence by eBox.
In case the eBox has not been activated, the BIPT will email the licence (if the Institute has the recipient’s email address). In other cases, the licence will be sent by post.
As a reminder: the legal effects for the electronic exchange of messages via the eBox and via non-electronic media are identical. In other words: documents sent via the eBox, by email or by post have the same legal value.
As a result, the licence can be presented on a smartphone in the event of an inspection. A printed version of the PDF file is valid as well.
However, radio amateurs who would like a paper version of their licence, can simply apply for one with the BIPT. Please note the option to request a paper licence is not yet available in the eBox.
Contact
BIPT - Radioamateurs Department
Boulevard du Roi Albert II 32 box 10
1000 Brussels
E-mail
Tel : +32 (0)2 226 88 70 from 9:00 to 12:00