Belgian Healthcare

How to Book a Doctor’s appointment in Belgium 

Going to the doctor when abroad can be extremely scary. There is the immediate worry of the language barrier as in medical matters communication is often vital as well as the fact that you may be alone and a bit scared. In Belgium, the healthcare system is one of the best in Europe according to the Euro Health Consumer Index and although the system is really quite different to in England, there is in fact no need to worry at all. Having said that it’s always good to know what to do in case you do find yourself with a problem or in a situation requiring healthcare. In this post, I will explain a little bit about the Belgian healthcare system and how to use it, from my experiences.

The Belgian healthcare system is split into state and private sectors that are funded by social security contributions and the money received for health insurance. In Belgium, health insurance is compulsory for everyone, and so a basic level is provided by the state however most people top up their level with extra added private insurance. This is because the state level only covers a percentage of the costs for different things such as dental care, medical care, hospital treatments, surgery and more. When you visit the doctor in Belgium you must initially pay the doctor and then they reimburse you a certain proportion. In order to receive the full amount back many Belgians possess private insurance to cover all medical costs.

Most doctors in Belgium work for the state however there are many that work only privately and others that choose to combine the two. The doctors that have chosen to work for the state health insurance scheme have standardised prices whilst you can expect to pay more for the private ones. Like in England, most of the general practitioners (GPs) don’t work in hospitals however they often do not work in surgeries either. Instead they often have an adapted room in the bottom of their house in which they receive patients. In Belgium, you are entitled to a sick day from work just like anywhere else in the world, however if this lasts for two days or more (the number of days can vary but this is what I found to be most common) they require you to present a doctor’s note from one of these general practitioners, known as huisarts in Dutch of médecins in French.

So how to make an appointment? Well it’s actually very simple…especially if you live in Brussels. Most of the doctors in Belgium operate an appointment system that can either be booked through an online system or over the phone depending on which they prefer and some also offer walk-in consultations. The easiest thing to do, and what I would recommend is to take a look at the website Doctor Anytime. It shows doctors and specialists all over Brussels and lists them by the languages they speak. On the other hand, the majority of the people living in Brussels are fluent or extremely proficient in English and so if you want to guarantee a shorter journey typing in ‘doctor near me’ on google maps really does work and then you can visit the websites of the various practitioners available or call them to make an appointment. Alternatively, do what I did and visit the University doctors. You do not have to sign up to a specific doctor or surgery like in England, and so you are more than welcome to change for each occasion or even to see two at the same time! You also may choose one doctor as your main doctor and this doctor will receive all your medical reports, but again this is completely up to you.

What should you expect? Well firstly, as I previously said, many doctors receive patients in a room under their house so don’t be surprised if the address you receive has no obvious signposting or markers, you’re probably in the right place. And obviously, once you’re inside, it’s not like the inside of GP surgeries in England, but like the converted inside of someone’s house. Secondly, the doctors often have no administrative personnel, so don’t expect a secretary to direct you to the waiting room and it’s not uncommon for the doctor to welcome someone else or take a phone call in the middle of your appointment. Thirdly, it is standard practice in Belgium for the doctor to listen to your heart and measure your blood pressure no matter what your complaint- I was shocked when this happened after I went in with a sore throat and tonsillitis. However, better safe than sorry so I’d rather a thorough doctor than one that skipped steps. Finally, before you leave you will be asked to pay for your visit up-front, most often in cash. This is roughly €25 and so it’s worth making sure you have this money on you before you arrive. It’s at this point that you should ask the doctor for a note excusing you from class or work if you require it. From my experience, Belgian doctors tend to be slightly on the generous side when it comes to time off, often giving a week when only 1 or 2 days is required. If this is the case with you, you are entitled to return to work early, however your employer may require you to sign a note to say that it is your choice to do so and ensure you are not being forced.