Medical visa
The medical visa to receive the care you need
When faced with a serious illness or a need for specialized care, sometimes hospitals in one's home country are unable to provide the necessary treatment. In such situations, Belgium is the destination of choice, thanks to its excellent healthcare system and state-of-the-art medical infrastructure. But to come here for treatment, it's not enough to simply buy a plane ticket: you need to obtain a medical visa, a document that allows foreign patients to stay in Belgium for the duration of their treatment.
This visa is intended for people who need medical treatment in Belgium because the care they need is not available or not accessible in their own country. It is also intended for patients who have already begun treatment in Belgium and need to continue it. You need to prove that you have a confirmed medical appointment, that the treatment is really necessary and, above all, that you can finance your stay and treatment.
This visa is often a race against time, because health doesn't wait. Understanding the conditions and knowing how to prepare your application can make all the difference.
Why apply for a medical visa?
No, and that's where things get complicated. Contrary to what you might think, there is no official list of illnesses that automatically entitle you to a medical visa for Belgium. Each application is examined on a case-by-case basis, and it is up to the patient to prove that the care he or she needs is not available or cannot be accessed in his or her country of origin. This impossibility must be attested by a doctor, which means that a simple diagnosis is not enough: it must be demonstrated why the treatment cannot be provided locally.
And it makes sense: medical infrastructures are not the same all over the world. A hospital in Dakar does not offer the same care as one in Asmara, Casablanca or Jakarta. The availability of equipment, medicines and specialists varies enormously from one country to another. This is why the Belgian administration does not base its decisions on a rigid list, but rather analyzes each case according to the medical situation and actual possibilities in the country of origin.
In short, obtaining a medical visa requires a convincing demonstration that coming to Belgium is a medical necessity and not simply a personal choice.
Documents required to apply for a medical visa
To obtain a medical visa, it is essential to provide a complete file including several documents; here are some that you should pay particular attention to:
- Medical certificate : You must provide a letter from the Belgian health establishment confirming that you require specific medical care. This letter must prove that the hospital is ready to receive and treat you.
- Proof of payment or financing : An estimate of medical expenses is requested by the Belgian authorities, and it is necessary to prove that you can finance your treatment. This may include proof of pre-payment.
- Proof of appointment: Confirmation of your appointment with a specialist is mandatory. This demonstrates that you have a precise treatment plan to follow in Belgium.
- Medical insurance: You must take out medical insurance covering emergency treatment, with coverage of at least €30,000 for the duration of your stay.
