What is it?
Joining a mutual health insurance fund (mutuelle or ziekenfonds) is an essential part of life in Belgium, as it guarantees access to health coverage. 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.
Membership of a mutual insurance fund means you have health coverage under the Belgian healthcare system and that any medical care you receive is eligible for reimbursement.
In Belgium, this compulsory insurance is a nearly universal system of basic insurance coverage that covers a large part of your medical expenses.
It covers a large share of people’s healthcare costs, such as a doctor’s visit, hospitalisation and certain other medical services. The payment of various benefits (sickness, incapacity for work, maternity, etc.) is also included.
This compulsory insurance is financed by social security contributions and the state and you only pay a small amount per year. All you need to do is to register at a mutual health insurance fund. Your choice of insurer does not have an impact on the reimbursements and benefits you receive from the compulsory insurance, because the rates are set by the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) and are the same for everyone.
Choose one depending on your needs, your family situation, and the level of service you require. You will find a list of all the mutual insurance funds in your area here  Which health insurance fund do you choose? | MyFamily
Supplementary insurance of the mutual health insurance fund
Supplementary insurance allows you to top up your basic universal health coverage and benefit from additional reimbursements for treatment that is not or only partially covered by compulsory insurance. These treatments include dental care, prescription glasses, and alternative therapies (osteopathy, physiotherapy, etc).
This supplementary insurance cover varies depending on your mutual insurance fund. You can choose your level of cover depending on your needs. The cost depends on the options you choose and the mutual insurance fund you join.
Complementary, our university provides a free collective ‘health care insurance' for employees and grant holders, as of day one.
This insurance, generally referred to as ‘hospitalisation insurance’, covers the following three categories:
- Hospitalisation costs at VUB facilities; it protects you against the cost of an (unexpected) hospital admission. This could be a day hospitalization or long-term admission. Either way, our hospitalization insurance you avoid unpleasant financial surprises afterwards.
- Costs related to the outpatient treatment of serious diseases;
- Ambulatory care (UZ Brussel and VUB services).
It is possible for family members to pay to join, children at a reduced rate of 5.5 euros per child and 11 euros per adult.