ABSTRACT
The yellow press card marked 'laissez-passer' is the key to all the EU institutions. The European Commission's Directorate-General for Communication handles requests for general accreditation to the commission, parliament and council. The press card is valid for one year and must then be renewed. There is also an annual accreditation just for the European Parliament, which is slightly easier to get, but that only gives access to that institution. To be permanently accredited to the entire EU institutions one must provide: Proof that they live in Brussels or nearby: evidence of residence or a Belgian identity card. Proof of professional activity: published articles/radio or TV features, and proof of payment. One should provide a letter from an editor stating that, they are the correspondent in Brussels. This media organization must be demonstrably independent. Some reporters change jobs during the year and save their press cards for use in their new lobbying jobs.
