Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement between Australia and Belgium: What You Need to Know

Australia has several reciprocal healthcare agreements in place with other countries, and Belgium is one of them. The agreement between the two countries means that Australians travelling or living in Belgium can access the local Belgian healthcare system, and Belgian citizens in Australia can access Australia’s healthcare system.

The agreement covers essential medical treatments, such as doctor visits, hospital care, and prescription medicines. However, some non-essential treatments, such as dental care and elective surgery, are not included in the agreement.

To be eligible for the reciprocal healthcare agreement, you must be a resident of either Australia or Belgium. Australian citizens must have a valid Medicare card or a certificate of entitlement to Medicare. Belgian citizens must have a Belgian social security card or an equivalent document.

If you need medical treatment in either country, you should present your relevant healthcare documentation to the healthcare provider. You may be required to pay an upfront cost for the treatment, but this will be reimbursed to you either by the local healthcare system or by your home country’s healthcare system.

It`s important to note that the reciprocal healthcare agreement is not a substitute for travel insurance. It only covers essential medical treatments and does not cover other travel expenses, such as trip cancellations, loss of luggage, or accidents.

It`s also worth noting that the reciprocal healthcare agreement does not cover Australian citizens who are living in Belgium on a permanent basis. These individuals will need to obtain private health insurance to cover their medical expenses.

In summary, the reciprocal healthcare agreement between Australia and Belgium provides valuable medical coverage for eligible citizens while travelling or living in the other country. However, it is important to understand the limitations of the agreement and to obtain additional travel insurance for non-medical expenses.