In Belgium, the healthcare system works by having people pay mandatory insurance and taxes. Everyone living here is covered by the system. All people living in Belgium are required by law to have health insurance. The system is taken care of by mutual insurance funds or a public auxiliary fund. They link the patient with health providers to arrange healthcare. While the government covers some healthcare through compulsory insurance, some individuals still buy independent policies to cover dental care, hospital rooms and different treatments.
The process for getting healthcare in Belgium as an expat
Register with the local town hall (commune/gemeente) within eight days of your arrival in Belgium. You should consider this whether you are from the EU or a non-EU country.
After registering, you will get a residence permit (foreigner’s card). This card is required in Belgium to use services such as health insurance.
Applying to Social Security
When you have a job in Belgium, your employer will make sure you have an identification number for social security, called NIS. Having the NIS number is needed for all your social security and health care needs.
Pick a health insurance organisation
People in Belgium are provided with health insurance by mutual insurance funds known as mutuelles in French and mutualiteiten in Dutch. You have to choose among these funds and put in your information. Some types of funds are public, Christian, socialist, liberal and neutral. While they are all similar in their coverage, some offer other benefits on top.
After you have registered, you will get a SIS card or an eID card (for residents). It enables you to use health services and receive financial assistance for them.
There are expats who are self-employed and those who do not currently have jobs.
If you do not have an employer, you need to register as a self-employed worker with Social Security and also pick a mutual insurance fund.
In Belgium, there are several types of health insurance funds. This is known as the Public Health Insurance Fund. HZIV is the Belgian public health insurer that ensures only necessary compensatory health insurance while living in Belgium. As compared to other funds, HZIV does not provide you with extra insurance, so any additional items not in the basic coverage may not be fully covered.
Mutual fund offered by Christian groups
In Belgium, CM is the biggest health insurance organisation and is linked to the Christian community. It has several supplementary plans, for example, dental, vision, alternative medical treatments and maternity care.
Socialist mutual fund
FSMB/Solidaris represents the socialist and labour movements. Just like CM, it offers a range of additional insurance options such as mental health services, regular check-ups and unique programs for high-risk individuals.
While socialism forms the basis of this organisation, the American Communist Party accepts everyone who wants to join. Its main goal is to ensure social equity in healthcare.
Selecting a health insurance company in Belgium
The basic level of coverage in every fund is the same, but what makes a difference is what other insurance is needed and how well a fund is serviced.
In the beginning, it helps to examine the additional benefits and services included with the coverage. A few funds provide different benefits for people struggling with dental problems, vision or alternative treatments. Some individuals pick a fund that reflects their views, but this is not required. Certain funds have wider systems of doctors and hospitals, which could be a benefit depending on your location.
Private health insurance is an option in Belgium
In most cases, private health insurance goes hand in hand with the compulsory public health system in Belgium. Typically, it pays for some expenses, including co-payments, hotel-like private rooms, longer dental and vision coverage, alternative care and health care away from the user’s home country. DKV Belgium, AG Insurance, AXA Belgium and Allianz Care all provide additional policies which are different from the policies offered by mutual insurance funds.
How much will you pay for health insurance in Belgium
If you have a job in Belgium, a portion of your social security payments covers your healthcare costs. Frequently, almost 12% of your annual gross salary goes to social security, which pays for your health insurance as well as pensions, unemployment and various benefits. 3.55% of my pay is used for health insurance.
When you work for yourself, you need to contribute to Social Security, which also covers your health insurance. Generally speaking, 20.5% of your net income is put aside for the pension fund. You receive the contributions every quarter, and the amount depends on your income. Health insurance funds may charge different fees for their extra insurance plans based on their coverage levels. Usually, individuals pay about €10 each month for basic supplementary insurance. If you need a package with dental, alternative or private hospital care, it can cost more than €70 each month. For a routine private health insurance plan (with benefits for hospital admission, medical treatment and sometimes global coverage), it costs between €30 and €70 a month.
Insurance for expats in Belgium
All people living in Belgium, including foreigners, are required to be insured so they can access health services. Once you have been granted residency in Belgium, you need to join a health insurance fund. If you are an EU/EEA resident who moves to Belgium and are insured somewhere else in Europe, the EHIC can be used during a temporary stay. After they are granted residency in Belgium, they are expected to register for Belgium’s healthcare coverage.
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