How to get free medical care in Belgium for persons with temporary protection?
In Belgium, social insurance is mandatory to receive medical care.
If you need emergency medical services, insurance is not required, but the medical facility will still refer you to the insurance company.
At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, insurance was provided free of charge to Ukrainians.
Currently, it is paid and averages EUR 12 per month. Insurance covers most of the costs incurred during treatment.
To receive free medical care:
o register at the migration service registration center to receive a document confirming temporary protection; and
o register in one of the hospital funds.
If you did not have time to register as a person enjoying temporary protection and the situation is not urgent, you can contact the social security center of your municipality (OCMW/CPAS), where your data will be registered and the papers to be filled out by your doctor will be provided so that the funds for the treatment are reimbursed by the social service. You have to make an appointment with a doctor yourself within the time limits indicated on the papers issued to you.
Receiving medication
Since in Belgium medicines are bought by prescription, tell your doctor what medicines you are taking in order to get a prescription. You can buy light painkillers and antipyretic drugs and personal hygiene items without a prescription. If possible, show the packaging of the medicine that you have to take to get the prescription for the drug or its analogue. Usually, a certain percentage of the cost of the drug is covered by the insurance policy.
Contacts for consultation with a general practitioner:
o in Flanders: call 1733 or follow the link http://www.mediwacht.be/mdwonline/publiek/wachtdiensten/Zoek.aspx;
o In Wallonia: call 1733 or follow the link https://www.health.belgium.be/fr/sante/organisation-des-soins-de-sante/…;
o in Brussels: call 02 513 02 02 or follow the link www.sosmedecins.be.
Contacts for consultation with a dentist:
- in Flanders: call 0903 39969 or follow the link www.tandarts.be/wachtdienst;
- In Wallonia: follow the link https://www.dentistedegarde.be/;
- in Brussels: call 02 426 10 26.
Contacts for consultation with a pharmacist:
- in Flanders: call 0903 99 000 or follow the link https://www.apotheekvanwacht.be/;
- in Wallonia: call 0903 99 000 or follow the link https://www.pharmaciedegarde.be/pharmacies-de-garde/;
- in Brussels: call 0903 99 000 or follow the link https://www.pharmacie.be.
Website of the VRGT specialized center for the treatment of tuberculosis:
https://tuberculose.vrgt.be/index.php/onze-dienstverlening/vind-een-cen…
HIV treatment reference center:
https://www.allesoverseks.be/hiv-referentiecentra
Contacts of COVID-19 vaccination centers in:
Flanders: https://www.laatjevaccineren.be/;
Wallonia: https://www.jemevaccine.be/;
Brussels: https://coronavirus.brussels/nl/vaccinatie-covid-menu/
Certain vaccines are free in Belgium. Detailed information on vaccination and mandatory vaccinations (for example against polio) can be found on the website https://www.vaccination-info.be/.
For pregnant women
Pregnant women have the right to a maternity leave. During this period, pregnant women are entitled to assistance from the National Employment Service (RVA).
In the Flemish part of Belgium:
o Kind & Gezin is a Flemish institution that provides advice and information on pregnancy, adoption and childcare. All useful information is available on their website.
o General Welfare Centers (CAW) offer free pregnancy consultations.
In the French-speaking part of Belgium:
o The "Office de la Naissance et de l'Enfance" (ONE) organizes consultations for pregnant women. All useful information is available on their website.
The Fédération Laïque des Centers de Planning Familial (FLCPF) unites 42 family planning centers, including 22 in Brussels. All useful information is available on their website.
