Our mission is to provide full-spectrum, proactive, professional, ethical and accurate legal support to the joint military and interagency communities supporting United States interests in NATO.
Offices
LEGAL ASSISTANCE OFFICE - NETHERLANDS LAW CENTER | BRUNSSUM (NELC)
Primary: 0031-45-534-0182
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. / 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. / 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. / 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Thursday | 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. / 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
Building: 90008
Kranenpool 3
Brunssum, USAG Benelux Brunssum 09752
NOTICE: Closed daily from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Also closed on all USAREUR-AF training holidays and federal holidays.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE OFFICE - NORTHERN LAW CENTER | SHAPE (NLC)
Primary: 0032-65-44-4868
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
Building: 318, Room 219, 221
Rue Grande
Mons, 7010
NOTICE: DSN: 314-423-4868 Email with a brief summary of your situation to usarmy.brussels.21-tsc.mbx.nlc-legal-assistance@army.mil Closed daily 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Eligibility for Legal Assistance
All requests for services must be accompanied by proof of eligibility. Eligible clients include:
Active component (AC) members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Reserve component (RC) members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty.
DOD Civilians assigned overseas.
AC retirees. RC retirees are eligible only if they are receiving retirement pay.
Surviving family members of AC, RC, and Retirees.
Dependents, primary next of kin, and guardians of eligible personnel.
What We Do
Netherlands Law Center Services
Legal assistance will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following services. For all general inquiries and appointment requests, please email: usarmy.benelux-brunssum.id-europe.mbx.netherlands-law-center@army.mil.
Walk-In Services
A US attorney or paralegal may be able to provide the following services on a walk-in basis:
- Powers of Attorney
- Notary Services
- Affidavits
- Bills of Sale
- BSN Letters
Appointment Services
Please complete our Intake form for inquiries or to make an appointment for the following:
- Family Law: Paternity, Custody, Support, Divorce, Separation, Citizenship, Guardianship.
- Estate Planning: Wills, Trusts, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney.
- Landlord and Tenant: Lease Agreements, Purchase Agreements.
- Consumer Matters: Sales Contracts, Debt collection, Insurance, Bankruptcy, Claims.
- Military Administrative: Unfavorable Information, GOMORs, FLIPLs, OERs, NCOERs.
Dutch Attorney Legal Assistance
Limited services are available from a Dutch Attorney, including:
- Landlord Tenant Disputes
- Consumer Matters
- Dependent Employment Overview
- Border Crossing Program
Administrative Law
The Administrative Law section provides organizational support and review for command and staff agencies. Services include:
- Legal Reviews
- Review of Command Policies and SOPs
- Regulation Review
The International Law
The International Law section handles matters regarding the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and host nation relations. They can be contacted at usarmy.benelux-brunssum.21-tsc.mbx.netherlands-law-center-intern@army.mil.
- Foreign Criminal Jurisdiction
- Liaison with Host Nation Authorities
Labor and Employment (US Army Benelux)
Advises the agency on all labor and employment law related matters.
- Belgian Host Nation Employees: Northern Law Center addresses issues for Belgian host nation employees.
- Dutch Local National Employees: Dutch Ministry of Defence (DMOD) address issues for Dutch host nation employees.
Northern Law Center Services
Legal assistance will include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following services. For all general inquiries and appointment requests, please email: usarmy.brussels.21-tsc.mbx.nlc-legal-assistance@army.mil.
- Attorney Referrals
- Authenticated Copies: Our office will provide notarized copies of original documents ONLY where the copies are going to a specific federal government or military administrative purpose (e.g. Social Security Application, DFAS, US State Department forms).
- Civilian Administrative
- Civilian Criminal Matters
- Claims
- Economic
- Estate Planning
- Family Law
- Military Administrative
- Powers of Attorney (POAs)
- Tax Issues
- Torts
- Courtesy translations: provided in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Legal Assistance Office. Certified translations are no longer provided by our office.
Notary Services
- Legal assistance office provides notarial services by appointment only. Please email us at usarmy.brussels.21-tsc.mbx.nlc-legal-assistance@army.mil to ask for an appointment. The day of the appointment please bring your document to be signed, identification, and a pen.
Legal Assistance Handouts
Netherlands Law Brunssum
Hard copies of these handouts are available at The Netherlands Law Center office location.
- Citizenship and Naturalization
- Estate Planning Worksheet
- Legal Services Handout
- Retiree Handout
- Spousal Employment Handout
- Insurance and Service Providers Handout
- Translation Services Handout
- Early Return of Family Members
- BSN Handout
- GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN HANDOUT
- Rental Housing Handout
International Law
Claims, Handouts and forms
Household Goods/Unaccompanied Baggage
What to bring for Household Goods/Unaccompanied Baggage
- DD Form 1840 Notification of loss/damage at delivery
- DD Form 1840R Notification of loss/damage after delivery
- Household Goods/Unaccompanied Baggage Inventory [PDF]
- Government Bill of Lading (GBL)
- Copy of Orders
Army Household Goods Claims
Army Household Goods Inconvenience Claims
Privately Owned Vehicles
What to bring for Privately Owned Vehicles
- Vehicle Inspection and Shipping Form (VISF)
- Vehicle Registration
- Copy of PCS Orders
Private Owned Vehicles Shipment
Army POV Inconvenience Claims
ADDITIONAL CLAIMS
Additional Claims Forms
BORDER CROSSER PROGRAM
Border Crosser Program
If you are stationed outside the Netherlands (e.g., Germany or Belgium) but reside in the Netherlands, you must register as a Border Crosser.
Registration
Registration with our office is required. You can register by completing the form at following link: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/9bcdF03r4X
- Required Documents: Copy of signed lease by yourself and your landlord that is on file with the USAG Brunssum housing office.
Tax Privileges
Properly registered Border Crossers may be eligible for:
- Income Tax Exemption: Salary and allowances as a military/civilian member are exempt. All other earnings in the Netherlands are subject to tax.
- Road Tax Exemption: Exempt on a maximum of two motor vehicles.
- Import Duties: Exemption on initial shipment of household goods.
- Dog Tax: Exempt from municipal dog tax.
Taxes You Must Pay
- Municipal and Water Board Taxes: Billed annually by BsGW. Includes garbage collection, sewer, and water pollution levy.
- Sales Tax (BTW): You generally pay full price on sales tags unless the merchant is specifically licensed to sell tax-free to US Forces.
Customs and Border Crossing
- EU Purchases: Items bought in another EU country (where tax was paid) can be brought in without additional tax.
- Non-EU Purchases: There is a tax-free limit of 430 euro per person. If the value exceeds this, you must pay import taxes on the full amount.
Resource
- Border Crosser Program Handout: Detailed information about the border crosser program.
TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVES
Contractors working in support of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Netherlands must register as "Technical Representatives" (TR) to obtain NATO SOFA status. This status identifies them as a NATO-alien for residence permits and grants status equal to members of the civilian component.
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. national.
- Residency: Must NOT be "ordinarily resident" in the Netherlands.
- You are considered ordinarily resident if you already have a residence/work permit or applied for one, or if you are a dependent of a Service Member stationed here.
- Exception: If you are transiting directly from another NATO SOFA position or applied for the TR position before terminating a previous NATO SOFA position.
- Employment: Must work exclusively for an identified U.S. military organization in the Netherlands for at least 20 hours per week.
- Duration: TR status is limited to a maximum stay of 5 consecutive years.
Application Procedure
The individual contractor employee cannot apply directly. The employer or the Army Contracting Officer (KO) must submit the request to the Netherlands Law Center. All applications or questions can be sent to: usarmy.benelux-brunssum.21-tsc.mbx.netherlands-law-center-intern@army.mil
- Step 1: The Contracting Officer (KO) or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) prepares the application package.
- Step 2: The package must include a completed "Appendix A" memorandum (see USAG Benelux Memo 600-6) and a copy of the employment contract/offer letter.
- Step 3: The Netherlands Law Center reviews the package and forwards it to the Dutch Ministry of Finance (Customs) for assessment.
- Step 4: Upon approval (which may take several weeks), the official memo confirming status is issued.
Important: A timely request is desirable to avoid unnecessary delay in stationing employees. TRs may not be sent to perform the contract until the application has been approved by the Netherlands Ministry of Finance.
Resources
- USAG Benelux Memo 600-6: Detailed procedures for granting accreditation.
- Sample Application Memorandum: Template for the KO/COR to request TR status.