Health insurance in Belgium: A simpler path for new arrivals

Relocating to Belgium brings a mix of excitement and paperwork. Sorting out health insurance is often one of the first steps, particularly for non-EU citizens or anyone planning to stay longer than a few months.

Belgium’s healthcare system is excellent, but for newcomers, understanding how expat insurance, public health insurance and optional private top-ups fit together can feel complex. Feather, a fully digital insurance provider designed for internationals in Europe, aims to make the transition clearer with straightforward guidance and English-language support.

Here is an overview of what new residents need to know and how Feather helps people stay covered from their first day in Belgium to the moment they enter the public system.

Why do you need health insurance in Belgium?

Anyone living in Belgium must be insured for healthcare costs, whether for a short stay or long-term residence.

For many non-EU citizens, proof of sufficient health insurance is required as part of the visa or residence permit application. Even for those arriving without a visa requirement, coverage is essential to access reimbursements for doctor visits, hospital stays and prescription medication.

Without valid coverage, newcomers must pay medical costs in full and may face delays in completing their residence registration. You can find more information about the Belgian health insurance system here.

Before your move: Temporary expat health insurance

Most newcomers begin with short-term private coverage. This ensures they are protected from the moment they arrive and helps meet visa requirements.

Feather’s expat health insurance is designed specifically for this early stage. It offers:

• A fast, fully digital sign-up
• Competitive, comprehensive coverage
• Instant proof for visa and residence applications
• Clear documentation and customer support in English

For many internationals, this policy bridges the period between landing in Belgium and joining the public health insurance system.

After your move: Joining Belgium’s public health insurance

Once you have:

1. Registered your address at your commune,
2. Received your residence card, and
3. Started contributing to Belgian social security (for example, through employment),

… you can join a public health insurance fund, also called mutuelle in French or ziekenfonds in Dutch.

These funds reimburse a large share of costs for GP visits, specialist care, hospitals, maternity care and prescriptions. The process is straightforward once your residence status is confirmed, but unfamiliar terminology and administrative steps often cause confusion.

Feather provides digital onboarding to public health insurance with Helan Onafhankelijk ziekenfonds.

This two-step combination, temporary expat insurance followed by the public health insurance, is the most common path for internationals settling in Belgium.

How does health insurance work in Belgium?

Belgium’s healthcare system consists of two layers:

1. Public health insurance (mandatory for residents)
2. Private health insurance (optional top-up)

Public health insurance

Public health insurance funds reimburse around 65% to 75% of most medical expenses. Anyone can join, regardless of health conditions or medical history.

Costs for the mandatory coverage range from €0 (yes, there is a free option!) to €12 per month, depending on the provider. Once you are a resident and contributing to (or exempt from) social security, you are eligible.

You can learn more about public health insurance in Belgium or sign up for public insurance via Feather for €10.30 per month.

Private health insurance

Private top-up insurance provides additional protection on top of the mandatory public cover.

It often includes:

• Higher reimbursements for hospitalisation
• Additional coverage for certain therapies
• Shorter waiting times for some services

Costs vary widely, and coverage depends on the chosen provider and policy.

Expat health insurance

If you are not yet eligible for the public system - for example, because you have just arrived or are waiting for your residence documents- you can take out expat health insurance.

Feather’s expat health policy covers new medical risks and is valid for up to five years in Belgium, making it a suitable option for long onboarding periods or non-economic migrants.

Do you want to know which health insurance is right for you? Take our quick test and find out whether you should go for public, private or expat.

Built for internationals: Digital, clear and in English

Feather was created to support people who are unfamiliar with local systems and may be handling several administrative steps at once. Their services include:

• Fully digital sign-up and claims
• English-language policies, documents and support
• Clear explanations of how Belgian health insurance works
• Quick quotes and easy contract changes
• Friendly customer service experienced with expat questions

For many newcomers, having a single point of contact during this transition helps reduce uncertainty and avoid gaps in coverage.