BRUSSELS — Journalists who cover the regular gatherings of the leaders of European Union countries got a rude surprise this week from the Belgian government: Most of them will have to pay for the right to do their jobs.

Before they are allowed to cover European Council summit meetings in Brussels, journalists have to undergo background checks conducted by the countries where they live. Naturally, the largest number of them, about 1,000, live in Belgium, where the European Union is headquartered, and a new law there requires the journalists to reimburse the government for the cost of the checks — 50 euros, or about $58, for a credential that lasts for six months.

The press corps here is not amused.

“This is unprecedented and completely unacceptable,” said Tom Weingaertner, president of the International Press Association in Brussels. “The state is in charge of ensuring security and press freedom and we are not prepared to pay twice for this,” referring to reporters who already pay Belgian taxes as residents.

“There is no other democratic country, as far as we are aware of, that is asking for a similar fee,” he said. “This is a restriction of press freedom and it sets a very big precedent.”