Healthcare in Belgium
Expats moving to Belgium can take comfort in the fact that the nation has one of the most reputable and reliable healthcare systems in the world.
All employees and self-employed people in Belgium by law have to contribute towards a Belgian health insurance fund as part of the normal social security enrolment process. There are, however, special private health insurance plans, which have been designed specifically for expats and are valid in a number of countries. It is worth investigating if you qualify for ‘non-resident’ tax status. If you do, you may not be required to contribute to national social security, in which case you will probably be covered by your employer’s healthcare plan.
Most dentists do not accept state insurance, though some accept fractional payment from the state for dental care.
A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is also a good idea as it entitles European citizens working in foreign countries to the same treatment at the same cost as a national of that country. However, a card cannot be used within Belgium unless it has been issued elsewhere in the European Union. Ambulances are not part of the national healthcare plan, but may be covered by private insurance if you have it.
All employees and self-employed people in Belgium by law have to contribute towards a Belgian health insurance fund as part of the normal social security enrolment process. There are, however, special private health insurance plans, which have been designed specifically for expats and are valid in a number of countries. It is worth investigating if you qualify for ‘non-resident’ tax status. If you do, you may not be required to contribute to national social security, in which case you will probably be covered by your employer’s healthcare plan.
Most dentists do not accept state insurance, though some accept fractional payment from the state for dental care.
A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is also a good idea as it entitles European citizens working in foreign countries to the same treatment at the same cost as a national of that country. However, a card cannot be used within Belgium unless it has been issued elsewhere in the European Union. Ambulances are not part of the national healthcare plan, but may be covered by private insurance if you have it.
Most doctors in Belgium offer private healthcare, but there are a few who do both. It is necessary to pay a doctor for any healthcare provided and then to claim from your insurance provider afterwards, which usually amounts to up to 75% of the costs.
