• Hospitalisation insurance
  You obviously want the best protection for your little one (and for your whole family) later on. Every family is different. This requires a personal approach, not least for your hospitalisation insurance. Helan offers several options, with different policies and conditions.
  Download the brochure
   
• Maternity care
  Reliable maternity care during the first weeks after giving birth. It is best to book it as soon as you are pregnant.
   
• Childcare
  A familiar, warm care place for your little one is worth its weight in gold. Book your place at a childminder or childcare centre nearest to you well in advance. Helan childcare combines the best care with a warm welcome.
   
• Baby benefits
  Helan is there for you and for your family. That is why we are happy to give you a financial boost.
  Read more about our benefits.

• Register your baby:
  1. with the municipality. Within 15 days of birth, you must register your baby with the civil registry of the city or municipality where he or she was born. How the declaration is made depends on your situation (are you married, unmarried, single,...). Contact your municipality for more information.
  2. with Helan Health insurance. To be able to register your child with the health insurance fund, we need the following documents: the excerpt from the birth or adoption certificate, which you will receive from the registry office when you declare your child at the municipality. In addition, the registration application. Send us both documents digitally (via My Helan) or by post: Helan Independent Health Insurance, Boomsesteensweg 5 in 2610 Wilrijk. 
     
     We need the following documents in order to register your child with the health insurance fund: an extract from the birth or adoption certificate, which you receive from the registry office when you declare your child at the municipality. And the 'Helan registration form'. Send us both documents digitally ( through My Helan) or by post: Helan Onafhankelijk Ziekenfonds, Boomsesteensweg 5 in 2610 Wilrijk.
     
     We will register your child with the health insurance fund and send you identification stickers and an ISI+ card. We arrange the payment of the birth premium and give you a discount code for the Helan care shop.
• Birth/adoption premium
  A birth or adoption comes with a lot of presents. Helan also has a gift for you: a premium of € 150 per affiliated parent.
   
• Growth Package
  The Growth Package (child benefit in Flanders) consists of the 'starting amount', which is a one-off payment at the birth of your child, and a monthly amount that you receive for your child from the moment it is born. Thus, the government wants to support all parents in raising and caring for their child(ren).

• Birth leave
  You are entitled to 20 days birth leave if you are a co-parent with an employment contract.
  
  You must fulfil one of these conditions:
  • You are the father of the baby, as stated on the recognition and/or birth certificate.
  • You are married to the mother.
  • You legally live with the mother.
  • You have been living with the baby's mother for 3 years.
  • You take birth leave within 4 months after the date the baby is born. You can choose whether to take the leave all at once or in instalments, fully or partially. Logically, you take birth leave on effective working days.
     
• Adoption leave
  You are entitled to 6 basic weeks per parent. This leave can be extended by 3 additional weeks to be shared between both parents. The age and background of your adopted child determines how long the additional leave lasts. Once the domestic or foreign procedure has started, you can submit your application.
  
  For the adoptive parent to be entitled to adoption leave, the adopted child must:
  • be registered at the adoptive parents' address.
  • be a minor.
     
• Foster parent leave
  Foster parent leave is only possible in case of long-term foster care. At the start of foster care, it must be clear that the child will stay with you the foster parent for at least 6 months. You are entitled to 6 basic weeks per parent. This leave can be extended by 3 additional weeks to be shared between both parents.
  
  For a foster parent to enjoy foster parent leave, the foster child must:
  • be registered at the address of the foster parents.
  • be a minor.

Notify us

If you resume work before the end of your maternity leave, please inform Helan. This can easily be done digitally via My Helan, or you can send a work resumption certificate to Helan Onafhankelijk ziekenfonds, Boomsesteenweg 5 in 2610 Wilrijk.

Your rights if you breast-feed

Are you breast-feeding your baby? Then you are entitled to extra breaks or you can take breast-feeding leave.

Do you find yourself working in a working environment that is dangerous for you and/or your baby? Then, just like during your pregnancy, you can stop working (partially) for breast-feeding reasons. This is called work removal.

Sick after your maternity leave?

Do you have to stay home longer than the standard maternity leave on doctor's advice? Then you will become unfit for work. In that case, you apply for a replacement income. We guide you through the process, step by step.

Taking parental leave

Do you want to spend more time with your child(ren)? Parental leave may be a good option for you. Find out about the possibilities, conditions and how to apply for this extra quality time.