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After obtaining refugee status or subsidiary protection, you can join the compulsory health insurance system in Belgium. You can register with a health insurance fund (mutualité/mutualiteit or ziekenfonds) of your choice or with the CAAMI/HZIV (Auxiliary Health and Disability Insurance Fund). The CAAMI/HZIV is a public institution that provides compulsory health insurance without charging an additional membership fee. Other health insurance funds may charge a contribution for additional services.
To register, you will need to provide documents proving your identity and your right of residence. If you have not yet received your electronic residence card, ask the health insurance fund which temporary documents you can use. If you receive assistance from the CPAS/OCMW, your social worker can help you with the registration procedure. When you are entitled to health insurance through a health insurance fund or the CAAMI/HZIV, this insurance will normally cover your healthcare costs first.
If you have little or no income, the CPAS/OCMW may, after examining your situation, cover certain medical expenses that are not covered by your health insurance. This assistance is not automatic: it depends on your situation and on a decision by the CPAS/OCMW.
Depending on the CPAS/OCMW, this assistance may take the form of a medical card (carte médicale/medische kaart), coverage through MediPrima, a réquisitoire (payment guarantee), or another system. The decision will specify which healthcare services, healthcare providers, medicines or institutions are covered and for how long. A medical card may be granted for a period of up to one year and may be renewed if you still meet the conditions.
Before consulting a doctor or specialist or going to a hospital for non-urgent care, check with your CPAS/OCMW which steps you need to take to ensure that the costs will be covered.
It is advisable to choose a general practitioner (GP/family doctor – médecin généraliste/huisarts) near your home. Your GP is usually your first point of contact for healthcare and can refer you to a specialist when necessary.
You can ask your health insurance fund, CPAS/OCMW, community health centre or an organisation supporting newcomers for help finding a doctor. If you need a doctor who speaks a particular language, you can also ask your social worker or people in your network for advice.
In a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the emergency department of a hospital. If you are covered by health insurance, a significant part of the healthcare costs covered by compulsory insurance will be reimbursed according to the applicable rules. However, this does not mean that emergency care is always completely free: some costs may remain at your expense. If you receive medical assistance from the CPAS/OCMW, inform your CPAS/OCMW as soon as possible after receiving emergency treatment. In a genuine emergency, you should not delay necessary medical care while waiting for prior approval from the CPAS/OCMW.
Most general practitioners in Belgium work by appointment. Some community health centres and medical practices also offer consultations without an appointment. Depending on the doctor and your medical condition, a home visit may sometimes be possible.
Your general practitioner can refer you to a specialist when necessary. For some types of healthcare, a prescription or referral may be required or may result in better reimbursement. If your medical expenses are covered by the CPAS/OCMW, check before your appointment whether you need prior authorisation, a réquisitoire (payment guarantee), or whether you must use a particular healthcare provider or hospital.
Tip: If you receive assistance from the CPAS/OCMW, always ask your social worker which costs are covered before paying for non-urgent medical care. The conditions and procedures may vary depending on your situation and the decision of your CPAS/OCMW.