Medicine & Veterinary Belgium

Public Hospitals

   - Public hospitals in Belgium are partially funded by the state and through mandatory health insurance. They provide accessible medical care for all citizens and residents, offering both outpatient and inpatient services. Most public hospitals are closely linked with universities and research centers, allowing them to offer advanced treatment methods and participate in clinical research.

   - Popular Public Hospitals:

     - UZ Leuven (Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven): One of the largest university hospitals in Belgium, known for its innovative treatment methods and a wide range of medical services.

     - Erasmus Hospital (Hôpital Erasme) in Brussels: A university hospital affiliated with Université Libre, specializing in complex and rare diseases.

     - UZ Gent (Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent): Another leading medical center offering comprehensive medical services and conducting scientific research.

Private Hospitals and Clinics

   - Private medical institutions in Belgium provide services on a commercial basis and often offer a higher level of comfort, shorter waiting times, and a personalized approach. However, the cost of treatment in private hospitals may be higher, and not all services are covered by mandatory health insurance. Many private hospitals also work with supplementary health insurance, which covers additional expenses.

   - Popular Private Hospitals:

     - CHIREC: A private group of hospitals and clinics located in Brussels and its surroundings, offering a wide range of medical services from outpatient to specialized surgical procedures.

     - Clinique Saint-Jean in Brussels: A private clinic with a wide range of services and a high level of medical care.

     - Hospital AZ Monica in Antwerp: A private hospital offering specialized medical services and known for its highly qualified staff.

Polyclinics and Family Doctors

   - Polyclinics: Polyclinics provide primary medical care and can refer patients to specialized facilities if more complex treatment is needed. They often operate by appointment and offer a wide range of services, including diagnostics and preventive treatment.

   - Family Doctors: Family doctors play a key role in the Belgian healthcare system. They provide primary care, monitor the patient's health in the long term, and can refer them to specialists. In most cases, a visit to a family doctor is required before seeking a specialized clinic.

Registration with a Family Doctor

   - Choosing a Doctor: You can choose any family doctor that is convenient for you, based on location, recommendations, or personal preferences. It's important to note that some doctors may have long patient lists and may not always accept new clients, so it's best to check availability in advance.

   - Registration Process: Usually, registering with a family doctor requires a single visit during which you meet the doctor and fill out a patient questionnaire.

   - Medical Record: After registration, the doctor will create a medical record for you. This record will be used for future visits and referrals to specialists.

Making an Appointment with a Specialist

   - Referral from a Family Doctor: In most cases, a referral from a family doctor is required to book an appointment with a specialist. This ensures treatment control and helps avoid unnecessary consultations. The doctor may recommend a suitable specialist and issue a referral, which must be provided when booking an appointment.

   - Finding a Specialist: You can choose a specialist yourself or use the family doctor's recommendation. Searches can be carried out through hospital websites, specialized portals, or insurance companies that provide lists of doctors and clinics.

   - Appointment Booking: Appointments with specialists can be made in several ways:

     By phone: This is the traditional way of booking, where you call the doctor's office or clinic and set an appointment.

     Online: Many hospitals and clinics offer online appointment systems. You can choose a specialist and a convenient time through the hospital's website or platforms like Doctoranytime.be or Doctena.be. These platforms allow you to search for doctors by specialization, location, and availability.

Payment and Insurance Coverage

   - Appointment Cost: The cost of an appointment with a family doctor or specialist is partially covered by mandatory health insurance. Typically, the patient pays only part of the cost, and the rest is reimbursed by the health fund.

   - Expense Reimbursement: After the appointment, you will need to present the receipt to your health fund to reimburse part of the costs. When using online services, information about the visit may be automatically transmitted to the fund.

Emergency medical care in Belgium is organized to ensure a fast and effective response in emergencies. The system includes both ambulance services and access to hospital emergency departments. 

Ambulance Service

   - Emergency Number: In case of a need for emergency medical assistance, you should call 112 - the common emergency number in EU countries. This number can be used to call an ambulance, fire service, or police.

   - Response and Reaction: The ambulance dispatcher will assess the situation and dispatch the most appropriate team to you. In case of a serious threat to life (e.g., heart attack, stroke, severe injuries), an ambulance equipped to provide emergency assistance on-site and transport the patient to the hospital will arrive.

Emergency Departments in Hospitals

   - Availability: All major hospitals in Belgium have emergency departments that operate 24/7. You can visit the emergency department yourself or be transported there by an ambulance.

   - Admission and Triage: Upon arrival at the emergency department, medical staff will perform triage—a process of assessing the patient's condition to determine the priority of treatment. Patients with the most severe conditions will be treated first.

   - Waiting and Treatment: Depending on the patient's condition, there may be a waiting time. However, in critical cases, treatment will begin immediately. A doctor will conduct the necessary diagnostics and determine further steps, including hospitalization if necessary.

Payment and Insurance

   - Cost Coverage: The cost of emergency medical services is partially covered by mandatory health insurance. Generally, the patient pays only part of the costs, and the remainder is covered by their insurance company. For EU residents traveling in Belgium, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may be used, which also covers emergencies.

   - Additional Expenses: In some cases, such as calling an ambulance without a valid reason, additional charges may apply. If you have supplementary health insurance, it may cover more services, including hospitalization costs and specialized procedures.

Specifics for Foreigners

   - Language Support: In the emergency departments of major hospitals, staff generally speak multiple languages, including French, Dutch, German, and English. This helps foreigners receive quality care and avoid language barriers.

   - Medical Assistance for Non-Residents: Foreigners temporarily in Belgium also have access to emergency medical care. It's recommended to have an insurance policy that covers medical expenses abroad to avoid high treatment costs.

Expense Reimbursement:

   - Documents for Reimbursement: After receiving emergency care, the patient receives a bill that they must pay. Then, if mandatory health insurance is available, they can submit documents to reimburse part of these expenses through their health fund.

Undergoing medical tests and examinations in Belgium is a standard procedure that can be performed in both public and private healthcare facilities.

Obtaining a Referral from a Doctor

   - Family Doctor: In most cases, a referral from your family doctor is required for medical tests or examinations. The doctor will conduct an initial consultation, assess your symptoms, and decide which tests or examinations you need.

   - Specialized Doctors: In some cases, the doctor may refer you to a specialized doctor who will prescribe additional tests or examinations.

Booking Tests and Examinations

   - Medical Laboratories: Tests can be done in medical laboratories operating in hospitals or independently. Laboratories can be public or private, but most accept a referral from a doctor, regardless of the type of facility.

   - Diagnostic Centers and Clinics: Examinations, such as ultrasound, MRI, CT, or X-ray, are conducted in specialized diagnostic centers or hospitals. Appointments for examinations can be made by phone or through an online booking system if available at your medical facility.

   - Online Booking: Some hospitals and clinics offer the option to book tests or examinations online through their websites or specialized platforms like Doctoranytime.be or Doctena.be. This is convenient for scheduling visits and reducing waiting time.

Receiving Results

   - Waiting for Results: Results of tests and examinations may be available within a few days. In the case of more complex tests, the waiting time may increase. Results can be sent directly to your doctor, who will then explain them and suggest further steps.

   - Online Access: Some laboratories and medical centers offer online access to results through secure portals. This allows you to get results faster and store them digitally.

Payment and Insurance

   - Insurance Coverage: Mandatory health insurance in Belgium covers most standard tests and examinations. However, part of the cost may be paid by you, especially if it involves specialized or additional research. Additional insurance can help cover these expenses.

   - Expense Reimbursement: To reimburse expenses, you need to provide the hospital fund with an invoice or receipt issued to you after the tests or examinations.

There are several large medical laboratories in Belgium that are popular due to their quality of service and wide range of offered tests and diagnostic services: Laboratoire Mémorial, SYNLAB Belgium, Labo Bruyland, Laboratoire CMA, iLabo.

Choosing a Hospital

   - Public and Private Hospitals: In Belgium, both public and private hospitals are available for childbirth. Public hospitals offer a high level of medical care, while private hospitals may provide additional amenities and more personalized care; however, their services can be more expensive. It is recommended to visit several hospitals before childbirth to evaluate conditions and choose a suitable place.

Choosing a Doctor and Midwife

   - Family Doctor or Gynecologist: The process of preparing for childbirth usually begins with choosing a gynecologist who will manage the pregnancy. This doctor may be recommended by your family doctor or chosen by you independently.

   - Midwife: Midwives play an important role in preparing for childbirth and postpartum care. They can offer support and consultations before and after childbirth, including home visits and assistance with newborn care.

Health Insurance

   - Mandatory Insurance: In Belgium, childbirth and most related medical services are covered by mandatory health insurance. This includes consultations with a gynecologist, childbirth, hospital stay, and basic postpartum care. However, some expenses, such as choosing a single room or additional services, may require extra payment.

   - Additional Insurance: If you want to expand the coverage, you should consider purchasing additional health insurance. It can cover expenses such as more comfortable accommodations, additional tests, or special procedures not included in basic insurance.

Partner-assisted childbirth

Partner-assisted childbirth has become common practice in Belgium and is welcomed in many hospitals and maternity homes. It allows one of the partners or a close person to be present during childbirth and support the mother at all stages of the process. Different hospitals may have their own rules and requirements for partner-assisted childbirth. For example, pre-registration or a limit on the number of attendees in the delivery room may be required.

Vaccination

In Belgium, vaccination of newborns and children is part of the national immunization program, however, it is not mandatory by law. Nevertheless, vaccination is strongly recommended by the Ministry of Health, and the overwhelming majority of parents follow this schedule.

Recommended Vaccines:

   - Belgium has a national vaccination schedule that includes basic vaccines such as vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), hepatitis B, and others. Vaccination is provided free of charge as part of the state medical insurance program.

   - Vaccination against some diseases, such as polio, may be mandatory for attending kindergartens and schools, but there are no mandatory vaccinations in the country overall.

Exceptions and Parental Rights:

   - Parents may refuse vaccination for various reasons, including medical contraindications or personal beliefs. However, it is recommended to consult with a doctor before making such a decision to receive complete information about the risks and benefits of vaccination.

In the event of the death of a foreigner in Belgium, a number of steps must be taken to carry out all legal and administrative procedures.

Notification of Authorities

   - Report of Death: If the death occurred in a hospital, hospital staff usually notify local authorities and compile an official medical report. If the death occurred outside a medical facility, it must be immediately reported to the police, who will arrange for a doctor's examination of the body and the issuance of a death certificate.

   - Calling a Doctor: In the event of death at home or another private location, it is necessary to call a doctor who will confirm the death and issue a medical certificate stating the cause of death.

Issuance of Death Certificate

   - Local Municipality: After receiving the medical certificate, it's necessary to contact the local municipality to register the death and obtain an official death certificate. This document will be required for further legal and administrative procedures, including notifying the consulate or embassy of the deceased person's country of citizenship.

   - Registration Deadlines: It is important to register the death within 24 hours of its occurrence. Authorities may require the deceased's passport and identification documents.

Notification of Consulate or Embassy

   - Consular Assistance: The consulate or embassy of the country the deceased was a citizen of should be notified of the death. They may offer assistance in coordinating with the family as well as in arranging the repatriation of the body if necessary.

   - Documents: The consulate may require the death certificate, the deceased's passport, and other documents to issue a consular death certificate.

Organizing Funeral, Repatriation, Cremation

   - Funerals in Belgium: If the family decides to bury the deceased in Belgium, they should contact a local funeral director who will help organize the funeral according to local laws and customs.

   - Repatriation of the Body: If the family wishes to return the deceased's body to their home country, a funeral agency in Belgium will handle all necessary documentation and transportation arrangements. Repatriation includes obtaining a permit to transport the body, preparing the body for shipment, and coordinating with funeral services in the destination country.

- Cremation in Belgium is a common and legally regulated procedure. An official permit is required for cremation in Belgium. This document is issued by municipal authorities based on the death certificate and, in some cases, additional documents such as a forensic report if the death occurred under unusual circumstances. It is important to consider that cremation can only be carried out with the deceased's expressed wishes during their lifetime (such as in a will) or with written consent from the closest relatives. If the family wishes to transport the urn containing the ashes to another country, special transport permission is required, which is also arranged through a funeral agency. Transport conditions depend on the regulations both in Belgium and the destination country.

- Financial Aspects: The cost of funerals, repatriation, and cremation can be significant. It is important to determine whether these expenses are covered by insurance, if applicable, and to seek possible financial assistance from the consulate.

Inheritance Issues

   - Estate Settlement: After registering the death and obtaining the death certificate, the process of estate settlement should begin. This may require consultation with a lawyer, especially if the deceased left property in Belgium or other countries.

   - Taxes and Fees: Depending on the laws of Belgium and the deceased's country of origin, certain taxes and fees related to the estate may apply. Consultation with a lawyer can help clarify these issues.

   In Belgium, there are specific rules and recommendations for the vaccination and care of pets, which include mandatory vaccinations and procedures.

Mandatory Vaccinations for Dogs

   - Rabies (Rage/Rabies): Vaccination against rabies is mandatory for all dogs that leave or enter Belgium from abroad. The vaccination is administered after the dog reaches the age of 12 weeks and must be given at least 21 days before travel. Within the country, rabies vaccination is not mandatory if the dog does not travel, but it is highly recommended.

   - Other vaccinations: It is also recommended to vaccinate against parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus, and leptospirosis.

Mandatory vaccinations for cats

   - Rabies: As with dogs, rabies vaccination is mandatory for cats that travel abroad or come to Belgium from other countries. The vaccination is carried out similarly — after 12 weeks and at least 21 days prior to travel.

   - Other vaccinations: Vaccination against feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus is recommended.

Other mandatory procedures

   - Identification and registration: All dogs in Belgium must be microchipped and registered in a central database. Microchipping should be done before the puppy reaches 8 weeks of age or before selling/transferring it to a new owner. Cats must also be microchipped and registered if they are sold or transferred to a new owner.

   - Pet passport: Animals traveling abroad require a European pet passport that records all vaccinations and medical procedures. This passport can be obtained from a veterinarian.

Belgium has a variety of animal hotels and shelters that offer different services for pet care during their owners' absence. These facilities can be useful if you need to leave your pet during a vacation, business trip, or for other reasons.

Animal hotels

Animal hotels in Belgium provide temporary housing and care for pets. These facilities offer various levels of comfort, from standard accommodations to luxurious rooms with personalized services such as walks, games, and even spa treatments for pets.

   - Services: Most animal hotels offer full board, which includes feeding, walking, grooming, and medical care if necessary. Some hotels also provide online video surveillance for owners to monitor their pets.

   - Popular hotels:

     - Holidog: An online platform that allows you to find a hotel for your pet in any region of Belgium. Holidog offers a wide range of hotels and guardians who can take care of your pet during your absence.

     - Dog’s Holiday Resort: A popular dog hotel in Brussels offering spacious enclosures, daily walks, and individual attention to each pet.

Animal shelters

Animal shelters in Belgium usually care for homeless or abandoned animals; however, some also provide temporary accommodation services for pets when owners cannot care for them. Popular shelters:

     - Veeweyde: One of the largest shelters in Brussels, also offering temporary care services for pets.

     - SPA de Liège: A shelter in Liège that can also provide temporary shelter for animals if needed.

Requirements and documents: Hotels and shelters usually require medical certificates, including proof of vaccinations, especially against rabies and other infectious diseases. Ensure all necessary documents are prepared in advance.

Advance booking: Particularly during peak seasons (summer, holidays), it is recommended to book a place for your pet in advance, as the demand for such services can be high.

Pet ownership in Belgium is regulated by strict rules and standards aimed at ensuring animal welfare and maintaining public order. Pet owners in the country are responsible for the health, behavior, and living conditions of their pets.

Legal requirements

   - Registration and microchipping: In Belgium, microchipping all dogs and cats is mandatory. 

   - Pet passports: When planning to travel with a pet, owners must obtain a European passport for it, indicating all necessary vaccinations and the animal's data. This requirement applies to dogs, cats, and ferrets.

   - Vaccination: Rabies vaccination is mandatory for all animals that leave Belgium or arrive from other countries. 

Rules of Care

   - Conditions of Care: The owner must provide their pet with suitable living conditions, including appropriate housing, regular feeding, and access to clean water. The animal should have enough space for movement and entertainment, especially in the case of large dogs.

   - Noise and Disturbance: Animal owners are responsible for their pet's behavior. If the animal causes excessive noise, it may lead to complaints from neighbors and intervention by local authorities.

   - Hygiene and Health: Regular vet visits and hygiene procedures (such as flea and worm treatment) are essential parts of pet care. In case of illness or injury, owners are required to provide the necessary medical care for their pet.

Restrictions and Prohibited Breeds

   - Restrictions on Certain Breeds: In some municipalities in Belgium, there may be restrictions on keeping specific dog breeds considered dangerous. The owner may be required to observe additional precautions, such as the use of a muzzle and leash in public places.

   - Castration and Sterilization: In some cases, especially concerning stray animals or animals in temporary care, castration or sterilization may be mandatory. This is done to control animal population and prevent uncontrolled breeding.

Animal Rights and Protection from Cruelty

   - Animal Protection Laws: Belgium has strict laws aimed at protecting animals from cruelty. In case of violation of these laws, owners may face severe fines or even criminal liability. It is prohibited to leave animals in adverse conditions, subject them to excessive physical strain, or deprive them of food and water.

 Compliance with these regulations helps maintain high animal welfare standards and harmony in society.