Limited accessibility: The ombuds service of the german-speaking community is only available again from 09.11.2026.
15 Years of the Ombudsman Service: Focus on Clear Communication
The Ombudsman Service of the German-Speaking Community is celebrating its 15th anniversary. This milestone provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of a transparent, understandable, and citizen-centered administration. The focus is on how government agencies can communicate their criteria, decisions, and expectations even more clearly and comprehensibly in the future.
Clear communication plays a key role in preventing misunderstandings and strengthening citizens? trust in the administration. It helps them better understand their rights and obligations and make sense of administrative decisions. At the same time, it should be made clear what citizens can expect from government agencies?such as transparent justifications, fair procedures, and respectful treatment.
For 15 years, the Ombudsman?s Office has served as an independent point of contact and mediator between the public and the administration. The anniversary therefore focuses not only on the work done so far but also on the challenges of the future: a government that operates in a transparent, accessible, and understandable manner, thereby contributing to a trustworthy relationship with citizens.2026-08-26
The Ombudsperson of the German-speaking Community of Belgium
A mediator between citizens and authorities
The ombudsperson can mediate between the citizen and the administrative authority or an institution. The citizen has the opportunity to express their point of view. The ombudsperson collects all problems and complaints from citizens. This collection of experiences is then used to improve the administration.the Ombudsperson mediates by complaints against decisions or proceedings
of an administrative authorities or of an municipality or social welfare centre in the German-speaking Community:
of the following educational institutions in the German-speaking Community
van de volgende verzorgingsinstellingen in de Duitstalige Gemeenschap
one of the following institutions inside the German-speaking Community:
If you do not know exactly which institution in the German-speaking Community is responsible, you may find your problem in the following list:
The ombudsperson is not responsible for these complaints:
- via federal, regional or foreign authorities.
- via hospitals
- over autonomous companies such as the railroad or the post office.
- in private disputes.
The ombudsperson forwards these complaints to the competent ombudsman service or to another competent institution, if one exists.
Who can lodge a complaint?
- a citizen
- a company
- an association
Any natural person, legal entity or de facto association can submit a complaint to the ombudsperson. Nationality, place of residence or registered office are irrelevant.
You still don't know who can actually investigate your complaint?
Just search under https://www.ombudsman.be/de.
You can contact the Consumer Protection Center in Eupen for tenancy disputes or problems with your hirer or renter or your energy or telephone provider. https://verbraucherschutzzentrale.be
the ombudsperson
The ombudsperson listens to your issue in a confidential manner. She is subject to professional secrecy. Her service is free of charge.
She is your partner for a mutual- and out-of-court solution to your issue with an administration.
The ombudsperson is independent and neutral. This means that they are not on either side of the conflict but mediate between both sides. They are committed to ensuring that you and the authority can continue to talk to each other.
Call!
The ombudsperson has a free telephone number.
phone: 0800 98759
Limited accessibility: The ombuds service of the german-speaking community is only available again from 09.11.2026.
In dringenden Fällen können Sie eine Nachricht auf dem Anrufbeantworter hinterlassen
oder nutzen Sie das Online-Formular: https://www.dg-ombudsdienst.be/en/complaint_form.htm
Ombudsdienst der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft