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Chapter 6 of 15

Health insurance & mutualiteit

Mandatory enrollment at health fund, reimbursement, choosing a mutualiteit

Summary

The Belgian healthcare system works fundamentally differently from the Dutch one. In Belgium, you don't have "health insurance" in the Dutch sense. Instead, you join a mutualiteit (health fund). This is mandatory. The mutualiteit reimburses a large portion of your medical costs through the "remgeld" (co-payment) system — you pay the doctor the full amount, and the health fund reimburses most of it. The contribution to your mutualiteit is surprisingly low: EUR 10-11 per month. This chapter explains how the system works and which health fund suits you.

What you need to know

How does the Belgian system work?

Step 1: Join a mutualiteit Within 3 months of registering at the municipality, you must join a recognized health fund. This is mandatory for everyone living in Belgium.

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Knowledge Base

Glossary
  • eID (Electronic Identity Card)

    The Belgian electronic identity card. As an EU citizen you receive an E-card or E+-card. Use it to identify yourself with the government, bank and for online services via Itsme or eID software.

  • Rijksregister (National Register)

    The Belgian national population register. You receive a national register number when registering in your municipality. This number is required for work, taxes, health insurance and all official matters.

  • Mutualiteit (Health Insurance Fund)

    The Belgian health insurance fund. You are required to join a mutualiteit for your health insurance. Choose from: CM, Solidaris, Liberal Mutuality, Independent Fund, or the Auxiliary Fund (CAAMI).

  • Crossroads Bank for Social Security

    The central database connecting all Belgian social security institutions. Your national register number is the key to this system.

  • Kinderbijslag (Child Benefit)

    Belgian child benefit, called "Groeipakket" in Flanders. Automatic entitlement when living and working in Belgium. Amounts vary by region (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels).

  • FOD Financiën (Federal Finance Department)

    The Belgian federal tax department. Here you file your annual tax return (Tax-on-Web), register as a taxpayer and handle all fiscal matters.

  • Personenbelasting (Personal Income Tax)

    The Belgian personal income tax. Progressive rates from 25% to 50%. Belgium has one of the highest tax burdens in Europe, but also many deductions and benefits.

  • Gemeente (Town Hall)

    The Belgian town hall. Here you register, request documents, and handle administrative matters. In Brussels and Wallonia this is called "commune" or "maison communale".

  • Zorgkas (Care Fund)

    The Flemish care insurance for non-medical care (home care, care homes). Mandatory for all residents of Flanders and Brussels. Annual contribution of ~€54.

  • Itsme (Digital Identity App)

    The Belgian digital identity app. Essential for online government services, banking and signing contracts. Comparable to DigiD but on your smartphone.

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