What if you currently have healthcare insurance in Belgium, and you fall ill while in another country of the European Union*, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland (e.g. while on holiday, a business trip or while studying)?

In that case, you are entitled to reimbursement of any medically-necessary healthcare, taking account of:
- the duration of your stay, and
- the type of healthcare concerned.

In other words: you are entitled to any medical care which can not wait until you are back home (= ‘unplanned healthcare’).

The reimbursement rules differ, depending on whether you receive healthcare pursuant to:
- the Regulations (EC) 883/2004 and 987/2004: the European Health Insurance Card*;
- or the European directive 2011/24/EU*.

Attention !

Unplanned healthcare during a temporary stay in Belgium

If you live in another country of the European Union*, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland,

and

you are entitled to receive healthcare there, with the costs being borne by Belgium,

then

you are entitled to all types of healthcare during a temporary stay in Belgium.

You need to be in possession of a Belgian electronic proof of identity (e.g. eID*), or of an ISI+-card* or a SIS-card* if you wish to be reimbursed for the costs of the healthcare you receive in Belgium. Reimbursement is via your Belgian health insurance fund*, according to the rules and rates of the Belgian compulsory health insurance system.

More info?

Contact your health insurance fund*.

* cf. Glossary