Flemish Healthcare Premium 2026: What You Need to Know

If you live in Flanders and are 26 or older, you’re likely aware of the annual healthcare premium. For 2026, the standard premium is €100, a €36 increase from the previous year. This article explains what the premium is, why it’s increasing, who needs to pay and what happens to the money.

How Much is the Health Insurance Premium?

In 2026, the standard health insurance premium for residents of Flanders is €100 per person, not per family. A reduced premium of €35 applies to those who were entitled to an increased reimbursement from their health insurance fund on January 1, 2025. Your health insurance fund automatically obtains this information from the Crossroads Bank for Social Security, so you don’t need to check it yourself.

Why the Premium Increase?

The healthcare premium has risen significantly in recent years due to increased expenditure by the Flemish Social Security system. This increase is largely attributed to a growing and aging population requiring more extensive care for longer periods.

Who is Exempt from Paying?

Certain individuals are exempt from paying the healthcare premium, including:

• Individuals in a collective debt settlement.
• Individuals who have experienced personal bankruptcy.

Where Do You Pay the Premium?

You pay the premium into a healthcare fund, which you can choose yourself. Many people opt for the fund linked to their health insurance fund. Alternatively, you can pay directly to the Flemish Care Fund, a government service. If you don’t actively choose a fund, your payment will automatically be directed to the Flemish Care Fund. You can only be affiliated with a health fund of a mutual fund if you are affiliated with the same mutual fund.

When is the Premium Due?

The premium must generally be paid before April 30th. However, if you turn 26 in the year, you have until July 1st to make the payment. If you receive a healthcare budget, the premium will be automatically deducted from your budget in April. Those who have recently moved to Flanders or Brussels have six months from their arrival date to pay the premium.

What Happens to the Money?

The funds collected from the healthcare premium are used to finance the Flemish Social Protection system. This system is responsible for paying healthcare budgets – monthly allowances provided to approximately 300,000 people who require significant care due to serious health problems or disabilities. Recipients can use these funds for a wide range of expenses, not limited to purely medical costs, such as medical expenses or medication.

The premium also covers costs for aids that assist individuals with mobility due to age, chronic illness, or disability. It also provides compensation for travel costs related to rehabilitation facilities for autism and visual impairments, and for individuals dependent on wheelchairs receiving treatment in rehabilitation centers.

Residents of Brussels must have been continuously affiliated for at least five years to be eligible for these allowances.

What if You Don’t Pay?

Failure to pay the healthcare premium or late payment may result in a fine. For those who have not paid the premium twice or more, or have not paid it in full, the fine is €250. Individuals with an increased allowance from their health insurance fund face a fine of €100. These instances of non-payment do not need to be consecutive.

Before a fine is issued, the health insurance fund will notify you by registered letter before September 1st. If you are unable to pay the premium in full, you can request a repayment plan and pay in twelve monthly installments.