Getting medical care in Belgium – What you need to know

The summer of 2025 is drawing to a close, with September approaching fast. Whether you’ve just moved to Belgium or are settling in, now is the time to tackle some issues so you can enjoy complete peace of mind. Besides navigating administrative formalities and practical day-to-day issues, people often wonder how to access healthcare in Belgium. What is a mutual insurance fund? Do you need to enrol for social security benefits? What if you need medical care? The Expat Welcome Desk explains what you need to know to access medical care in Belgium.

The Belgian healthcare system

The Belgian system is based on a compulsory health insurance model, financed by social security contributions.

Access to care is free, allowing you to choose your GP or specialist.

Please note, however, that although you are free to choose your specialist, you should first visit a GP before consulting a specialist to avoid costs and tests. If necessary, your GP will give you a prescription before you consult a specialist. With this prescription, you can request reimbursement from your mutual insurance fund for the medical care you receive.

 Key players:

• INAMI/RIZIV (National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance): public body that manages Belgium’s compulsory health insurance system.
• Mutuelle/ziekenfonds: mutual insurance fund, an organisation you join to get your healthcare costs reimbursed.
• Healthcare providers: general practitioners and specialists through private practices, medical centres, family planning centres, medical aid services and hospitals (A&E/emergency room, specialists)

Seeing a doctor in Belgium

1. Choice of doctor: you are free to see a doctor of your choice, whether a general practitioner or a specialist.

Tips & tricks: ask your GP to create or maintain your Global Medical File (DMG/GMD) to get higher reimbursements.

The INAMI/RIZIV has developed an online platform to help you search for a doctor based on specific criteria. You can find it on this website.

You can also use online platforms to find doctors near you and make an appointment through these platforms: Doctoratanytime, doctena, rosa, etc.

2. Making an appointment: this can be done by telephone, through online platforms (such as Doctena or Progenda), or by visiting the practice in person.
3. Payment for consultations: in Belgium, consultations are paid for on the spot (unless the provider applies the third-party payment scheme[i], in certain special cases).

How to get reimbursed?

1. Join a mutual insurance fund

As soon as you start working and living in Belgium, you must register with a mutual insurance fund (mutuelle/ziekenfonds) if you want to be reimbursed for your medical costs.

Check our website for more information on how to choose a mutual insurance fund and register.

Please note that you need a Belgian national registration number to join a mutual insurance fund.

Check your rights if you are unemployed, self-employed, a student or retired.

2. The reimbursement system

After your doctor’s appointment, you receive a receipt (attestation de soins/getuigschrift voor verstrekte hulp). Send it to your mutual insurance fund to be reimbursed.

In principle and depending on your mutual insurance fund, you have up to two years from the date on the receipt to claim reimbursement.

• Reimbursement rate: approximately 75% of the official INAMI/RIZIV tariff (variable depending on the medical treatment provided).
• You can cover the remaining cost with supplementary insurance (often also offered by the mutual insurance fund).

In some cases, the doctor will apply the third-party payment scheme[ii]; in that case, you only pay the amount that is not covered by your mutual insurance fund.

How are you reimbursed?

Two options:

1. Paper system
   • Your doctor will give you a receipt (attestation de soins/getuigschrift voor verstrekte hulp)
   • Add the sticker (vignette/kleefzegel) with your insurance information and send it to your mutual insurance fund
2. Electronic system (eFact)
   • The doctor sends the information directly to the mutual insurance fund
   • Automatic refund to your account within a few days

New 

From 1 September 2025, doctors and dentists must bill their services to mutual insurance funds electronically.

This obligation applies to all healthcare services provided on an outpatient basis (outside a hospital setting), whether or not the doctor or dentist applies the third-party payment scheme.

Are you a European citizen or an international student?

• EU citizens: for a temporary stay, use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to be reimbursed for any urgent medical costs you incur. Find out how to apply for your EHIC card on the official website, which also provides detailed information about which costs are covered.
• Foreign students: joining a mutual insurance fund is strongly recommended to avoid major expenses. All you need to do is show your European Health Card when you register with a Belgian mutual insurance fund.

🕒 Emergencies and out of hours services (important numbers)

• 112 – Emergency (ambulance, fire brigade)
• 101 – Police
• 070 245 245 – Belgian Poison Centre
• 02/201 22 22 – 02/513 02 02 : Garde Bruxelloise (Doctors on Call Brussels)/SOS médecins

Further information

INAMI/RIZIV

Social security

[i] Under the third-party payment scheme, you only pay the healthcare provider (doctor, dentist, physiotherapist, pharmacist, etc.) the co-payment.

Since 1 January 2022, all healthcare providers can apply this for all their patients and all their healthcare services. Your healthcare provider can decide whether or not to apply it but is not obliged to (except in certain cases).