From 26 to 28 May 2026, the congress of the European Association of Registrars (EVS) took place in Ostend (Belgium). At the Thermae Palace Hotel, civil registrars, legal experts, policymakers and academic specialists from across Europe came together for three days of knowledge-sharing, exchange and networking. The congress was organized by Burgerzaken Vlaanderen and once again confirmed the importance of European cooperation in a field that directly affects citizens.
In a brief reflection at the close of the congress, Steve Heylen, who was appointed as the new Chair of EVS, expressed his appreciation to the various speakers for their strong substantive contributions. The encounters between colleagues from practice, government and academia created a professional exchange of knowledge in a warm atmosphere. These conversations and contacts make the congress the beating heart of the association and continue to resonate within the national associations and in the day-to-day practice of civil registration.
An important conclusion of this congress is therefore that EVS congresses must continue to be cherished in the future. At the same time, it became clear that organizing them has become more challenging today, which makes it important to keep congresses both substantively valuable and practically feasible. Even so, their added value remains considerable: the congress in Ostend once again created space to discuss current developments in European personal status, family and name law and to connect experiences from different countries.
The social significance of civil registration work also ran as a common thread throughout the congress. Human rights, legal certainty and the protection of citizens were central themes in several contributions. In that context, it was emphasized that civil registrars do not work only for their own country, but also help shape Europe.
Congress Chair Prof. Gerard-René de Groot stressed that we must always look at the concrete persons concerned, with the rights of children taking first priority at all times. In their presentations, Ankie Vandekerckhove and Thalia Kruger showed the problems that past failures to respect human rights and children’s rights have caused for donor-conceived children, mixed-race children in the context of colonization and adoptees. The same mistakes must not be repeated in the context of surrogacy, by ensuring safeguards and protections for the children involved.
Although progress at European level is often slow, EVS can continue to contribute from practical experience and from the citizen’s perspective to solutions that work across borders. Ilaria Pretelli proposed a central European register of filiation certificates, which could genuinely help citizens when moving within the EU. Chloé Falisse explained the Belgian example of how foreign records and decisions establishing a person’s civil status are recognized and registered in Belgium, so that citizens no longer need to submit their documents multiple times.
Registration begins with interoperability. Sam Van den Eynde showed how Europe is currently working towards a single standard for digital identity in a digital wallet. This does not make the work of civil registrars and population officers redundant, because they are precisely the ones who safeguard the quality of the authentic source records on which identity is based. The importance of proper identification is a shared concern of government and the private sector alike, as Frans van Aggelen also emphasized.
Looking ahead, the ambition remains clear: to work towards a more harmonized system of civil registration in Europe, adapted to the needs of the twenty-first century and focused on accessible services for citizens wherever they may be. Continued attention is also being paid to the further unification of private international law. In her contribution, Ilaria Pretelli pointed out that a common future is indeed possible in this area and that differences in national law can be combined with international rules on the recognition of filiation established abroad.
The full unification of European family law may still be a long way off, but according to EVS, further alignment is both possible and necessary. That starts with gaining a solid understanding of each other’s rules. Caroline Richter presented German name law, and Nicolas Nord reported on the efforts of the International Commission on Civil Status / Commission Internationale de l’État Civil (ICCS/CIEC) in this regard. At the congress in Ostend, it was announced that EVS is officially applying for membership of the international commission. Thomas Stigari concluded with the new Italian nationality legislation, which makes it more difficult for Italians abroad to retain Italian nationality and, therefore, EU citizenship.
The congress in Ostend also marked an important change within the association. Simon Rijsdijk stepped down as Chair of EVS. During the congress, he was warmly thanked for his many years of commitment and service to the association. In recognition of this, the EVS members elected Simon as Honorary Chair of the association. Steve Heylen succeeds him as the new Chair. In his first response, he expressed his deep gratitude for the trust placed in him by his colleagues and emphasized that he intends to take on this responsibility with full commitment.
At the same time, Steve pointed out that the chairmanship is no small task. EVS is a relatively small association, but one with a distinctly European vocation. That is precisely why cooperation, trust and substantive strengthening are crucial. Heylen wants to continue building on the association’s loyal foundation, to keep cherishing the congresses and to keep forging new connections, including with countries that are not yet part of EVS. In Ostend, San Marino was welcomed. Marialaura Marinozzi enthusiastically presented the civil registration and population administration system in her country.
In addition, EVS intends to continue playing its role as a partner and interlocutor at European level, including in relation to the European Commission and through substantive cooperation with the ICCS/CIEC. The message taken home from Ostend is clear: civil registrars do not work for themselves, but in the service of citizens and their rights. That is precisely where the enduring relevance of EVS lies.
Following a successful edition on the Belgian coast, with sincere thanks to the city of Ostend, EVS is already looking ahead to its next congress in Italy in 2027. The new EVS Vice-Chair, Renzo Calvigioni, invited all participants to Castel San Pietro Terme. In Italy too, human rights will undoubtedly once again take center stage. The added value of civil registrars in a free and democratic society, in support of the development and exercise of citizens’ rights, is beyond question. (sh)
Links: presentations and photos.