Health insurance for expats and foreign employees in Belgium
A smooth start in Belgium begins with proper healthcare. Helan helps you as an expat or employer of a foreign employee navigate the Belgian healthcare system.
Helan as a point of contact for expats
Moving to Belgium as a foreign employee or expat? Then you need to arrange health insurance or join a mutuality, unless you work for the EU or NATO.
As an international company employing foreign talent, you also want just one thing for your employees: a smooth start without administrative hurdles.
Do you live abroad but work in Belgium as a cross-border worker? Helan can make a difference for you too.
At Helan Independent Health Insurance Fund, we help expats, foreign employees, cross-border workers and their employers quickly find their way within the Belgian healthcare system. We clearly explain how everything works and what steps you need to take.
That way, your new life or collaboration in Belgium can start without worries.
Living and working in Belgium
As a foreign employee or expat, explore all the information you need to make a well-informed choice.
Affordable coverage
Insured for only €10,60 per month
Employee at the EU or NATO
Do you work for an international organisation such as NATO or the European Commission? Then they usually cover your medical expenses, as they often have their own health insurance system.
Cross-border worker
You work in Belgium and officially live in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland. In that case, you must register with a Belgian health insurance fund so that you receive an S1 or S072 form for the insurance institution in your country of residence. Each health insurance fund arranges reimbursements for care within its own territory.
This can easily be done digitally.
Helan can provide you with the S1 or S072 form.
The Netherlands
Helan sends the S072 form directly to the Central Health Insurance Office (CZ). After that, you must register online yourself and your dependents for the free treaty policy. CZ will then reimburse your healthcare costs in the Netherlands according to their terms and rates.
France
Submit the S1 form to the CPAM of your place of residence. The CPAM will inform you which family members you also need to insure in Belgium and is responsible for reimbursing care in France.
Germany
Submit the S1 form to your Krankenkasse. The Krankenkasse will inform you which family members you also need to insure in Belgium and is responsible for reimbursing care in Germany.
You can find more information about travelling and working in Europe on the European Commission website.
Do you employ a foreign worker?
Helan helps your employee(s) easily join a health insurance fund. Simply share their details with us via the link below. We’ll get in touch and take care of the registration.
Request advice for your employee Let your employee arrange to join themselves
What do you need to register as an expat?
Your EHIC or a bilateral document (if applicable)
Your international passport, ID card, residence permit or visa
Helan insurance funds in Belgium and the role of Helan
Do you work in Belgium? Then you are automatically covered by the Belgian social security system. This means your health insurance fund reimburses part of your medical visits, medication and hospital stays.
Choosing Helan? We take care of everything for you. On top of that, you benefit from extra reimbursements and advantages that make life in Belgium easier.
The Belgian healthcare system explained
Alles wat je als buitenlandse medewerker over de gezondheidszorg in België moet weten, helder samengevat.
This is the mandatory insurance provided by the government. Thanks to this statutory health insurance, you receive reimbursements for things like GP visits, medication costs and physiotherapy treatments.
In addition to the statutory cover, each health insurance fund offers extra benefits that are particularly useful for students. Some of the advantages offered by Helan include:
- Reimbursement for sports activities or a gym membership
- Discounts on wellness and health products
- Allowances for glasses or contact lenses, mental health and preventive care
These insurance options are optional, but they offer great peace of mind.
- Hospitalisation insurance: protection against high costs in case of a hospital stay.
- Dental insurance: cover for dental care, orthodontics and routine check-ups.
Anyone who lives or works in Flanders is also required to pay an annual care contribution to the Flemish Care Fund.
The Flemish social protection scheme uses these contributions to support more than 300,000 people in need of care each month with a care budget.
The annual care contribution is not included in your health insurance fund contribution. You pay it on top of your annual contribution.
Do I have to pay the care contribution as an international student?
Helan is a wellbeing group
We support 1,000,000 customers to live autonomously and with a high quality of life as much as possible. We do this through a broad and diverse range of services tailored to each stage of life.
Customers of the health insurance fund have access to the entire Helan Wellbeing Group, which includes the following entities:
Seeing a doctor
Are you feeling unwell or do you need medical care? Then book an appointment with a GP (by phone or online). In Belgium, you’re free to choose your doctor, although some GPs may not be accepting new patients at the moment. In student cities, you’ll usually find plenty of group practices close to student accommodation and campuses.
During your visit, the doctor will examine you and may prescribe medication or a treatment if needed. You pay straight after the consultation.
Collecting your medication from the pharmacy
After your doctor’s visit, you’ll receive a prescription for your medication. You only pay the personal contribution. In Belgium, you can do this by presenting:
- A Belgian identity card or an isi+ card with a Helan sticker
- A diplomatic document with a Helan sticker
- An Annex 30
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Incapacity for work due to illness or pregnancy
Are you temporarily unable to work due to illness, an accident or pregnancy? In Belgium, you may receive a replacement income if:
- You have paid contributions to the Belgian social security system for at least 12 months
- Or you can provide an E104 document showing your insurance periods in another EU country
Travelling abroad
Planning a trip within the EU? Always take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you. You can easily request it digitally via the My Helan app or order a paper version in advance.
Medical emergency? Call Mediphone Assist on +32 2 778 94 94. This helpline is available 24/7.
A hospital stay
Sometimes a doctor’s visit is not enough and you need to go to the hospital. In Belgium, hospitals usually work directly with your health insurance fund, meaning you do not have to pay all costs upfront yourself.
When you are admitted, show your identity card or residence permit. This allows the hospital to immediately see that you are affiliated with Helan. After your stay, you will receive a hospital bill showing the amount paid by Helan and the personal contribution you still need to pay yourself.
End of your assignment in Belgium
Is your career in Belgium coming to an end? Ready to return home? Make sure to contact us. We will help put your medical file in order.
Do you live in an EU country? Then we will provide you with an E104 document. This document summarises all your insurance, employment and residence periods within EU member states.
Are you moving abroad again after your time in Belgium? Then you must report your move to the local municipality. You will receive a so-called Model 8 document.
What benefits can you count on?
Up to 1,500 euros for speech therapy
Orthodontics benefit up to 1,050 euros
Up to 50 euros for sports club or
youth associations
Up to 190 euros for youth activities
Up to 50 euros for orthotic insoles
Free Heyo holiday camp for children
aged 3, 6 and 9
Up to 50 euros for glasses and eye patches
Up to 30% discount on Heyo holiday camps
Affordable childminder when your child is sick
Up to 120 euros for psychotherapy
Practical questions and answers about joining
Everyone who lives or works in Belgium is required by law to join a health insurance fund. However, you are free to choose which health insurance fund suits you best, such as Helan.
Helan helps you to get Belgian social insurance sorted quickly so you can go to the doctor, pharmacy or hospital without having to worry. We help you step by step with your membership, explain everything clearly and make sure your reimbursements happen automatically.
Plus, you get additional advantages with Helan: reimbursement for sports and wellness, discounts on glasses and mental healthcare, and affordable insurance for hospitalisation or dental care.
If you work in Belgium and officially live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you have to join a Belgian health insurance fund to get an S1 or S072 form for the insurance provider in your country of residence. Each health insurance fund organises the reimbursement of care in its own territory.
The EHIC applies mainly to short-term stays and urgent care. If you are staying longer in Belgium, then it is necessary to join a Belgian health insurance fund such as Helan. This allows you to enjoy full cover and easier reimbursements.
A consultation with a general practitioner usually costs between €25 and €35. Some doctors apply the third-party payer arrangement: in this case, the doctor charges most of it directly to your health insurance fund and you pay only the personal portion or non-reimbursable amount, which is often only a few euros. In addition, if your doctor works with the eAttest, the reimbursement will go through Helan automatically, and the money will be in your account within a few days.
If you are hospitalised in Belgium, the hospital usually works directly with your health insurance fund, so you don't have to pay for everything yourself. On admission to the hospital, simply show your identity card or foreign national's card. This allows the hospital to see immediately that you are a member of Helan.
After your stay, you will receive a hospital bill that clearly states what part Helan pays and what part you still have to pay yourself. This is the personal portion or non-reimbursable portion.
If you also have hospitalisation insurance through Helan, then many additional costs will be fully reimbursed, such as choice of room, additional tests or follow-up care.
Yes, you can already do a lot of things digitally. For example, via the My Helan app and My Helan Web, you can request advantages, view reimbursements, order adhesive stickers or make an appointment.
If you receive only paper doctor's bills, the law requires that you always submit an original in order to get a reimbursement.
Helan will ensure that your file is closed correctly and that you no longer pay unnecessary premiums.
If you still receive a bill from a Belgian hospital or doctor afterwards, Helan will still help you to settle it even after you leave.
They can contact Helan directly via your account manager or our multilingual customer service desk. We assist them step by step, so that you do not need to provide any extra support.
Helan also makes dental and hospital insurance affordable
This also allows international students and employees to have extra protection against unexpected medical expenses.
Why choose Helan?
- Affordable and accessible insurance
- Financial security in case of hospitalisation or dental care
- Fast, transparent reimbursement
- Clear explanations in understandable language