You choose the fund, and the fund pays back part of your care
Belgian health insurance is organised through health insurance funds, called mutualités in French and ziekenfondsen in Dutch. Anyone living or working in Belgium joins the fund of their choice, including the public fund CAAMI (HZIV in Dutch). The fund reimburses part of the cost of doctor visits, medicines and hospital care, and other funds also offer optional extra cover. Signing up usually follows your registration as a resident.
How it works
Join a health insurance fund or apply for public healthcare cover.
How you get public healthcare depends on the country: you may need to join a health insurance fund or insurer, or ask the public health system to recognise your right to care. If you work, your employer often registers you; students, self-employed people and family members may need to arrange it themselves. You usually need your ID, proof of address, your social security number and proof of work, study or income. If you are already covered by another EU country, an S1 form or a European Health Insurance Card may apply. Once registered, you get a health insurance card or number for doctor and hospital visits.
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At a glance
Counter days and booking rules vary
Besides the public fund, several health insurance funds keep branches in Belgian cities. Open a branch to see which weekdays it receives members, whether to book first and what to bring.
Guides
Related services
For people who cannot cover rent, food or other essentials: what the local social welfare centre can arrange and how to ask for an appointment.
A paper or digital certificate showing where you are registered, with versions for address history or household. Find the municipal office that issues it.
Reset an eID PIN, replace activation codes or set up a digital key for online services. Useful for residents, residence card holders and some non-residents.
The eID for teenagers and adults and the Kids-ID for children. See how applying works and find the municipal office that handles your card.
For anyone who has moved house in Belgium. See who reports, what happens after the address check and which office handles it in your new town.
Learn whether you need an extract or a full copy, who can request it and how to reach the civil registry office in your municipality.
Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia
Most offices in Oberhausen, Berlin, and Cologne
Most offices in Poznań, Szczecin, and Białystok
Most offices in Rotterdam, The Hague, and Alkmaar
Where to next
Local branches of the public fund and other health insurance funds, showing when they receive new members and how to arrange a visit.
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