Social Security – Sickness insurance

This section deals with replacement income.
Anyone who is in Belgium legally and satisfies the conditions is covered by sickness insurance. 

The requirements are: 

• be a member of a mutual benefit association
• have worked for 120 days within a six-month period (include periods of inactivity, such as sickness, paid leave, etc. and periods spent in other Member States – E-104)
• have forwarded the contribution certificates issued to your mutual benefit association
• undergo checks organised by the mutual benefit association and have evidence of insurance.

The social security identity card, the carte SIS, is issued to all those covered by social insurance. It is used to identify patients properly, to take note of their identification data and to check that they are covered.

Compensation for loss of pay in case of sickness:

• A worker/employee unable to work because of sickness can go on sick leave
• He must inform his employer of his absence. To do this, he must follow the procedure laid down by his own administration
• The worker/employee is entitled to his salary during the guaranteed salary period. If the period of sick leave lasts longer than the guaranteed salary period, his income must be paid by the mutual insurance company

Sickness and invalidity insurance provides wage-replacing benefits for employees whose work is interrupted by incapacity for work. Make inquiries with the employer and the mutual benefit association.

Text last edited on: 05/2009

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2009
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