Belgium (BE)
Belgium is a small but densely populated federal kingdom at the crossroads of Western Europe, split across three linguistic regions — Dutch-speaking Flanders, French-speaking Wallonia, and bilingual Brussels — and famed for its medieval cities, world-class beer and chocolate, and its role as the de facto capital of the European Union.
Healthcare in Belgium
Belgium operates a social health insurance system (Bismarck model) where compulsory contributions fund universal healthcare. The system is administered by INAMI/RIZIV (National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance) with reimbursements channelled through seven approved mutualities (health insurance funds). Patients pay upfront and are reimbursed 60–100% depending on the service and their status. Belgium consistently ranks among Europe's top healthcare systems for quality and access.
Belgium typically ranks in the top 10 in Europe for healthcare quality. Excellent specialist care, short waiting times for most procedures, and high doctor density (approx. 3.2 doctors per 1,000 population).
Public healthcare: Belgian compulsory health insurance
Verplichte ziekteverzekering / Assurance maladie obligatoire (via mutualities / INAMI-RIZIV)
- General practitioner (GP) consultations
- Specialist consultations with referral
- Hospital stays (minus patient contribution)
- Prescription medications (60–100% reimbursement depending on category)
- Maternity care and childbirth
- Mental health (limited; see accessing care)
- Dental care (basic)
- Physiotherapy (with prescription)
- Medical tests and imaging
- Most cosmetic procedures
- Glasses and contact lenses (except for children and highly impaired adults)
- Dental implants and advanced orthodontics
- Alternative medicine (except certain approved treatments)
- Some medications not on the reimbursement list (NIHDI positive list)
Private healthcare: Complementary / supplementary health insurance
Accessing care
Register with a GP (huisarts / médecin généraliste) as soon as you arrive. Opening a Global Medical File (Globaal Medisch Dossier / Dossier Médical Global, GMD/DMG) with your GP entitles you to higher reimbursement rates. Your GP is your primary care entry point and gatekeeper to specialists. You are free to choose any GP; registration is voluntary but strongly recommended.
GP referral recommended but not strictly required for most specialists. Without a GP referral, patient co-payment may be slightly higher. Referral is compulsory for certain specialist visits to receive higher reimbursement (e.g., psychiatry for reimbursed sessions).
Emergency rooms are accessible to all without prior authorisation. State "urgentie / urgence" at the reception. Call 112 or go directly to the nearest ziekenhuis (hospital) emergency department. SMUR/MUG (medical emergency vehicles) are dispatched by 112.
Call 1733 to reach the out-of-hours GP service (huisartsenwachtpost / maison médicale de garde). Depending on your region, you may be directed to a local clinic or given a phone consultation. Avoid emergency rooms for non-urgent conditions.
Prescriptions must be issued by a Belgian doctor for most medications. Bring prescriptions to any apotheek / pharmacie. Reimbursable medications are listed on the INAMI/RIZIV positive list. Generic substitution is encouraged; pharmacists may propose generics. Prescriptions are valid for 3 months.
Basic dental care (extractions, fillings, check-ups) is reimbursed at around 60%. More complex work (crowns, implants, orthodontics) has limited or no reimbursement unless complementary insurance is held. Dental check-up once per year is recommended — rates are better with a regular dentist.
Since 2022, Belgium reimburses the first 8 sessions with a clinical psychologist or orthopedagogist per year (Article 37ter). From session 9 onwards, a €11 contribution per session. Access via GP referral to a network mental health provider. Waiting times can be 2–6 months for reimbursed psychologists.
Prenatal care, ultrasounds, and delivery are well covered. Pregnant women register with a maternity ward (maternité / kraamafdeling) early. Obstetric care is excellent. After birth, a maximum billing system limits out-of-pocket costs. Postnatal home visits by a midwife are common and partially reimbursed.
Expat-specific advice
- Register at your commune and obtain your NISS/INSZ number as a priority
- Enrol with a mutuality within 3 months of starting work or registering as resident
- Register with a GP and request a GMD/DMG global file to get the best reimbursement rates
- Check whether your employer provides Group Insurance (groepsverzekering / assurance groupe) with additional health coverage
- If arriving from an EU country, request an S1 form or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for initial coverage
Pharmacies (Apotheek / Pharmacie)
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen
- Antihistamines (loratadine, cetirizine)
- Throat lozenges and cough syrups
- Wound care and bandages
- Sun cream and mosquito repellent
- Multivitamins and probiotics
Typical costs
| GP visit (with insurance) | €4–8 (patient co-payment with GMD/DMG file) |
| GP visit (private pay) | €30–40 (full price, roughly €22–26 reimbursed by mutuality without GMD) |
| Specialist visit | €8–20 co-payment with referral; higher without referral |
| Emergency visit | €25–100 patient contribution (depending on type of care); hospitalisation costs extra |
| MRI scan | €12–30 patient contribution (covered by insurance; full price €250–500) |
| Prescription average | €0–€10 co-payment depending on medication category (A, B, C, D categories) |
| Dental check-up | €8–15 co-payment for basic check-up and hygiene (reimbursable portion) |
| Baby delivery | €0–€500 patient contribution depending on room choice (shared room is virtually free) |
Healthcare
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