Context

Formerly, while travelling within the European Economic Area (EEA) both for private and business purposes, in circumstances of immediate need, a reimbursement of health care costs in accordance with the legislation of the State of stay was guaranteed upon presentation of forms E111 (for tourists) and E110, E128 or E119 (for professionals).

News

As from 1 June 2004, a health insurance card has been introduced throughout Europe that replaces these E-forms.

The purpose of the European health insurance card is to facilitate access for all European citizens to health care services while staying temporarily in another Member State and to speed up reimbursement of the costs incurred. It does not contain any medical information about the cardholder. Since the model of this card is identical and has the same technical specifications in all the Member States, health care providers in every Member State will be able to identify the card immediately.

Although the possibility exists for Member States to continue to issue the E-forms during a transition period, Belgium has opted for introducing the European health insurance card immediately as from 1 June 2004. In this respect, the insured person and each member of his/her family needs to apply for the European health insurance card with his/her local sickness insurance institution which is obliged to issue the requested card for free.

Please note that a health insurance card issued in Belgium in principle is valid for one year.