Belgium Travel Insurance
Everything you need to know before your trip
Healthcare Cost Level
Free Reciprocal
Avg. ER Visit
Free (EHIC)
Recommended Coverage
$100,000
Evacuation Risk
Minimal
Healthcare in Belgium
What to expect if you need medical care
Belgium offers excellent healthcare quality with good English availability, making it relatively easy for travelers to access medical care when needed. For EU, EEA, Swiss, and UK citizens, the EHIC or GHIC card provides access to necessary medical treatment under reciprocal agreements, though you may need to pay upfront and seek reimbursement later. Non-EU visitors will pay directly, with average costs of $150 for emergency room visits and $800 per day for hospital stays. While these costs are moderate compared to some destinations, they're classified as free or reciprocal for eligible visitors. The healthcare system is well-developed, but remember that reciprocal agreements don't cover repatriation, private healthcare, or all treatment types, leaving potential gaps in your coverage.
Reciprocal Healthcare Available
Citizens of EU, EEA, CH, GB may have partial coverage through reciprocal agreements.
EHIC/GHIC covers necessary medical treatment only, not repatriation or private healthcare. Some treatments may require upfront payment with reimbursement.
What Your Policy Should Cover
Country-specific considerations for Belgium
Your Belgium policy should address the country's specific risks and activities. Cycling is extremely popular here, and the high cycling usage significantly increases accident risk year-round—ensure your policy explicitly covers cycling-related injuries. If you're visiting the Ardennes region for winter sports, verify that skiing activities are included, as these may require specific sports coverage add-ons. Given Belgium's moderate risk of seasonal flooding, particularly during winter months, trip interruption and cancellation coverage becomes important. While the terrorist threat is low, it exists year-round, so coverage for trip disruption due to security incidents provides peace of mind. Medical coverage should account for treatments not covered by EHIC/GHIC, plus essential repatriation coverage since reciprocal agreements don't include medical evacuation back home.
Seasonal Flooding
Moderate Risk
Peak: winter
Cycling Accidents
Moderate Risk
Peak: year-round
Terrorist Threat
Low Risk
Peak: year-round
Activity-Specific Coverage
Cycling: High cycling usage increases accident risk - ensure activity coverage
Winter Sports: Coverage for Ardennes skiing activities may require specific sports coverage
How Much Coverage Do You Need?
Our recommendation based on Belgium's healthcare costs
The recommended $100,000 coverage provides appropriate protection for Belgium's healthcare environment. While individual costs like an $800 hospital day or $150 ER visit seem manageable, extended hospital stays or complications can quickly escalate expenses. The minimum $50,000 covers basic scenarios, but the $100,000 recommendation accounts for serious incidents requiring multiple days of hospitalization, surgical procedures, or complications from cycling accidents. Though evacuation risk is minimal, repatriation costs aren't covered by reciprocal healthcare agreements, making this buffer essential for comprehensive protection.
Minimum
$50,000
Basic emergencies only
Recommended
$100,000
Full protection
Making a Claim in Belgium
Tips for smooth claims processing
Documentation Required: Medical reports, receipts, police reports if applicable, proof of travel dates and purpose
- Keep all medical reports and receipts from Belgian healthcare providers, as you'll need these for claims regardless of whether you have an EHIC/GHIC card or are paying privately
- If you experience theft or any incident requiring police involvement, obtain a police report immediately—Belgian authorities are efficient, and this documentation is required for claims
- Document your travel dates and purpose with booking confirmations and itineraries, as claims processing in Belgium is generally easy but requires complete proof of your trip details
- For EHIC/GHIC holders who pay upfront for treatment, retain all payment receipts and medical documentation for reimbursement through your home country's system
- Take photos of any cycling accidents or flood damage affecting your trip, as visual evidence supports claims for Belgium's most common moderate risks
Get Covered for Belgium
Protect your trip to Belgium with comprehensive coverage from a trusted provider.
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