Thousands receive Belgian disability allowance abroad

Last year, 6,461 people living outside of Belgium received disability allowance from Belgian social security, totalling nearly €63 million, reports Het Nieuwsblad. More than 5,600 of those on disability live within the European Union, with the highest number (2,888) residing in France.

Disability allowance is a replacement income that is reimbursed by the compulsory health insurance when illness or injury prevents an employee from being able to perform his or her job in the long term.

Belgium has bilateral social security agreements with a number of countries such as the US, some countries in North Africa and Turkey, where currently 255 people are living from disability benefits. In all cases, the benefits go to both Belgians and foreigners covered by the Belgian social security system.