You are staying in another country of the European Union, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway or Switzerland and you need medical care. Will your Belgian health insurance fund* reimburse the cost of any care provided?


Which countries are members of the European Union (EU)?
The European Union (EU) has 27 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus*, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.


Planned or unplanned medical care?

There are a number of factors determining whether your Belgian health insurance fund* will reimburse the cost of the care. There is an important distinction between:
- unplanned healthcare which becomes medically necessary during a temporary stay abroad (irrespective of the reason for your journey - holiday, studies, work, etc.), and
- planned healthcare.

Since 25 October 2013, a number of new rules and procedures apply to both unplanned and planned healthcare (as a result of the transposition of the European directive 2011/24/EU*).

Important: Always follow the correct procedures! If you do not, then you will in any case have to bear the costs of medical care yourself.


Which legislation applies?

On the basis of European legislation there are two ways to obtain reimbursement for the costs of healthcare provided in another country of the European Union*, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland:
- reimbursement according to the rules and rates applicable in the country where you received the healthcare (Regulations (EC) 883/2004 en 987/2009*),
- reimbursement according to the rules and rates applicable under Belgian compulsory health insurance (European directive 2011/24/EU*).


What if I am living in that country?

This information does not refer to your right to receive medical care in your country of residence, if you are living in another European Union* country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. You can find more information on this on the following websites:
- Leaving Belgium
- Your Europe
- European Commission.


Are you looking for individual advice?

Here we provide only general information. If you wish to receive advice on your individual case, please contact your health insurance fund.*

 

* cf. Glossary