Belgium has an extensive social security system that is for the most part a public system financed by the state and by contributions of its citizens. Basic access to the system depends on a number of administrative obligations, the payment of financial contributions and/or – for expats - the existence of international agreements with your home country. It covers healthcare, unemployment, retirement and family allowances. Adherence to the so-called ‘mutuelles’ or mandatory healthcare insurance companies are typically Belgian and are an important condition to get refunds on medical costs. International civil servants have a separate system and normally do not have access to the system as long as they are employed by an international institution.
In order to get more information about the social security in Belgium and how it works, we invite you to consult this webpage.