How does healthcare work in Belgium, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the healthcare system work in Belgium?

Belgium is known as a country with one of the best healthcare systems in the world, despite being expensive and quite complex.
Healthcare in Belgium is of very high quality and is financed by public or private health insurance funds for Belgians.
Everyone who lives or works in Belgium must join a health insurance fund (mutuelles in French). This also applies to expats.
Belgium has agreements with more than 20 countries outside Europe which affects access to healthcare. Check which countries get social security online.

Healthcare is largely subsidised by the Belgian government.
Public care is available to residents who are affiliated with a health insurance fund.
Public health insurance funds in principle reimburse 50-75% of the costs of treatment and medicines for patients.
Mutualities, such as CM (Christian Mutuality) or Partena, arrange reimbursements for medical costs. Public health insurance covers consultations with general practitioners and specialists, hospital admissions, medication (partially), limited dental care, rehabilitation services.
Expats from the EU can temporarily use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but Belgian insurance is required for long-term stays.

In addition to public healthcare, many people in Belgium opt for additional private insurance.
Private clinics and hospitals often offer more luxurious facilities and shorter waiting times.
Employees can take out private insurance through their employer (the so-called hospitalisation insurance), which covers additional costs, such as a single room in hospitals.

Belgium works with a general practitioner system. The GP (generalist or "médecin généraliste") is usually your first point of contact for medical problems.
GPs often work with appointments, but some practices have free consultations.
Many GPs speak English, French and/or Dutch, depending on the region.

Dental care is of high quality in Belgium. Dentists work in both public and private clinics.
The costs are reasonable: a standard check-up costs around €30, part of which is reimbursed by your health insurance for basic treatments.
For orthodontics and other complex treatments, additional insurance is recommended.

Belgium offers excellent care for pregnant women.
When you are pregnant, you will receive regular prenatal consultations with gynaecologists, which are largely or fully reimbursed.
Hospitals offer comprehensive maternity care with both private and shared rooms.
There are also options for home births with midwives.
Breastfeeding in public is accepted in Belgium.
Abortion is legal until 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Belgium is a relatively safe country, but as in almost any urban environment, you should be alert to your belongings.
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, occurs in tourist areas and busy stations.
Violent crime is rare, but there is extra security in public places since previous terrorist attacks.
Watch your belongings in busy cities such as Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent.

Belgium has no specific health risks such as tropical diseases. However, you can pick up ticks when walking. So always check your body for tick bites after a walk in nature/in parks.
The tapwater is safe to drink and of good quality.

The roads are generally well maintained, but traffic jams are common around cities such as Brussels.
Traffic drives on the right, as in the Netherlands.
You need a valid driving licence to drive; an EU driving licence is sufficient.
Traffic in cities can be chaotic, especially during rush hour. Cycling is becoming increasingly popular, but Belgian cities are not always as bike-friendly as the Netherlands.
Belgium has an extensive and reliable public transport system, with trains, buses, and trams that cover the entire country.

Is the trip to and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

In Belgium it's mandatory to take out public health insurace if you become a resident. Still, many emigrants or expats take out additional private insurance to have more options for medical care and cover treatment that isn't covered by public health insurance. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.

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