Invest In Brussels - English

Health insurance is obligatory in Belgium for both employed and self-employed workers. This is an essential element of the country’s mandatory social security structure, which ensures the well-being of the entire population. In the case of employed workers, contributions are directly deducted from their salary by the employer, whereas self-employed workers are required to pay contributions into a social security fund.

Health insurance fund (mutualiteit/mutuelle)

Every worker has to join a health inscurance fund which carries out the reimbursement of a fixed percentage of medical costs, as well as the payment of replacement income for those who become incapable to work through an accident, illness or pregnancy. Workers are free to join any one they choose. The associations represent the different political and religious groups in Belgian society: they can be Christian, liberal, socialist or independent. Some of the large insurance companies also have a health insurance department.

Every member of health inscurance fund is issued with an electronic SIS card, which contains the holder’s social insurance information. This card is used to reduce healthcare administration. It must be presented to a chemist
/pharmacist or hospital to allow the reimbursement to be calculated on the spot.

Reimbursement of medical expenses

Membership of a health insurance fund entitles the patient to a partial refund of medical and dental costs, hospital care, surgical operations, maternity costs, and prescription medications. The amount reimbursed is based on a precise scale for each service provided. Some health insurance funds have their own outpatient clinics where virtually all of the patient’s costs are refunded.

Reimbursement for medical treatments
When a patient consults a doctor or receives medical care (dentist, specialist, general practitioner), he must pay, provisionally, the full amount himself. The doctor then gives the patient a certificate describing the care provided. Upon receipt of the certificate, the health scheme will refund some of the costs. The part that is not refunded is the insured person’s own contribution. This varies according to the type of service provided. As a general rule, the insured person’s own contribution amounts to about 25%. There is a special refund system for disadvantaged persons.

Reimbursement for the cost of prescription medications
If a medicine is prescribed by a recognised doctor, the patient does not have to pay for this in full, only the co-payment (ticket modérateur).

Refunds on prescription medications are made at the time of purchase. The patient simply presents his electronic SIS card to the chemist or pharmacist, who then deducts a set percentage from the cost. In the case of medical and dental treatment, the refund is made by the mutaliteit/mutualité after the patient has submitted a green treatment certificate supplied by the doctor or dentist.

Members of a mutual insurance association can take out non-compulsory 'additional' health care cover. This covers costs not refunded by the mutual insurance association.

For more information on health care in Brussels visit the Brussels Region website.

There are 30 private and public hospitals in Brussels, three of which are university hospitals: Cliniques Universitaires Erasme (ULB), AZ-VUB Jette (VUB) and Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc. They are all well-equipped and can handle any medical problem.

Most of the hospitals have people on staff who are fluent in English. General practitioners and specialists are also able to take care of their patients in most European languages.

Unlike some other countries, in Belgium patients can choose their own doctor. A list is available in the yellow pages of the telephone directory or patients may consult the full list of general practitioners.

Basic medical treatment is provided at every hospital. More specialised care, requiring high-tech equipment and specific skills, is available at specific sites. Co-operation amongst the sites and the mobility of medical staff ensures that patients are provided with personalised care.

The major hospitals and clinics operate emergency services 24/7. They provide medical care and advice at any time of the day or night, on weekends and on public holidays.

Expenses incurred in hospitals and other care institutions are refunded on a lump-sum basis by the health insurer.

The Institut Jules Bordet, is a renowned centre for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It is a multidisciplinary hospital with a 3-part mission: treatment, teaching and research. The Children's Hospital (Huderf - Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola - Queen Fabiola University Children's Hospital), is another highly reputed centre for the treatment of children's illnesses. Nearly 40% of its patients come from outside the Brussels region.

In the field of burn treatment, Brussels is also renowned. The Burn Centre run by the Military Hospital Queen Astrid is highly regarded for its expertise in burn treatments. It provides intensive care for patients (civilians) from Belgium and abroad. In case of catastrophe, the centre is able to offer treatment to any patient from the disaster region. The emergency unit is composed of a team of highly qualified professionals, all specialists in this medical area.

For more information on hospital matters, please visit www.hospitals.be

Belgian social security legislation consists of specific regulations that provide for unemployment benefits, pensions, sickness and disability benefits, family and child allowances, workers compensation for industrial accidents and health care. The payment of social security contributions is compulsory.

Blue and white collar workers pay 13.07% of their salary, while employers pay between 32 and 38% of the gross salary, depending on the sector.

The employer’s social security contributions are calculated on the gross salary, while the employer deducts the employee’s contributions from the gross salary. These are remitted every three months by the employer to the National Social Security Agency.

Based on bilateral agreements, some non-EU residents may be exempt from Belgian social security contributions and can remain subject to the social security system of their country of origin for a limited period of time.

For a full account of the Belgian social security system and an explanation of the SIS card, visit the website of the Belgian federal social security service: www.socialsecurity.be.