I am going on holiday abroad; if I get ill there, is my Belgian health insurance valid?
In short
Partly. The European Health Insurance Card is only valid in EU countries and a few other European countries. If you are going to a country that has a social security agreement with Belgium, ask your health insurance fund (ziekenfonds / mutualité) for a form for that country. For other countries, check your travel insurance.
Video transcript
You're going on holiday to a country outside the EU. You think your European Health Insurance Card will work there. It depends: The European Health Insurance Card isn't valid in most countries outside the EU. Where Belgium has an agreement, a special form for that country covers urgent care. The right way: Before you go, ask your ziekenfonds: with an agreement, get that country's form; without one, take out travel insurance. Without the form: Bill: You pay first; When you return: Give it to the ziekenfonds; Medical repatriation: Not covered even with form.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- The European Health Insurance Card (Europese ziekteverzekeringskaart / carte européenne d'assurance maladie) is only valid in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It is not valid outside these countries.
- Belgium has social security agreements with some countries. If there is such an agreement with the country you are going to, ask your health insurance fund (ziekenfonds / mutualité) for the right form before you leave.
- This form is valid for a limited period. It usually only covers treatment you urgently need during your holiday; it does not apply if you travel to that country to get treatment.
- In a country without an agreement, compulsory health insurance usually does not refund treatment. Your health insurance fund's supplementary cover (the Mutas assistance service) may partly cover emergency care; ask before you leave and take out travel insurance if necessary.
- If you do not have the form, pay the bill yourself and keep it. When you get back, give it to your health insurance fund (ziekenfonds) and ask for a refund.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- No penalty. If you do not get the form, you have to pay the treatment costs yourself first.
Legal basis:RIZIV – Op vakantie naar Turkije
- Court / prison
- No prison sentence.
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- Private hospital bills can be high, and the refund may be limited to that country's or Belgium's rates
Legal basis:RIZIV – Op vakantie naar Turkije
- Medical repatriation to Belgium (by air) is not covered by this form; check your health insurance fund's (ziekenfonds) supplementary insurance or a travel insurance policy
Legal basis:European Commission – EHIC
- If you receive sickness benefit, ask your health insurance fund (ziekenfonds) before you go abroad
Legal basis:RIZIV – Arbeidsongeschiktheid: België verlaten
Why does this rule exist?
As a rule, health insurance only applies in the country where you are insured. The agreement between the two countries makes sure that someone who suddenly falls ill on holiday is not left with the bill.
Where can you go?
- CustomsIf in doubt, go through the red channel at the airport and ask
- Food safety agency (FAVV / AFSCA)Rules for bringing in food and plants
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 9 / 9 statements in an official source
- Checked: 14.10.2026
- Last checked
- 14.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 9 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Avrupa kartı AB27 + İzlanda, Lihtenştayn, Norveç, İsviçre, BK'de geçerli; bunların dışında geçmez
European Commission – European Health Insurance Card - Found in an official source
Sosyal güvenlik anlaşması olan ülke için ziekenfonds'tan o ülkeye özel belge gerekir
RIZIV – Op vakantie naar Turkije - Found in an official source
Anlaşma belgesi süreyle sınırlı; yalnızca acil tedavi; tedavi amaçlı gidişte geçmez
RIZIV – Op vakantie naar Turkije - Found in an official source
Anlaşma belgesi o ülkenin sağlık kurumuna gösterilir; o ülkenin tarifesi uygulanır
RIZIV – Op vakantie naar Turkije - Found in an official source
Belge yoksa faturayı ödeyip dönüşte ziekenfonds'a verip geri ödeme istenebilir
RIZIV – Op vakantie naar Turkije - Found in an official source
Avrupa kartı/sosyal güvenlik belgesi dönüş uçuşunu karşılamaz (seyahat sigortası yerine geçmez)
European Commission – EHIC - Found in an official source
Belge yoksa faturaları kendiniz ödeyip dönüşte ziekenfonds'a sunarsınız
RIZIV – Op vakantie naar Turkije - Found in an official source
Geri ödeme bakım anında o ülkede geçerli tarife üzerinden yapılır
RIZIV – Op vakantie naar Turkije - Found in an official source
Hastalık ödeneği alan kişi yurt dışına izinsiz giderse o dönemin ödeneği geri istenebilir
RIZIV – Arbeidsongeschiktheid: België verlaten
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?