Postdoctoral researchers
Postdoctoral fellows
Postdoctoral grants are subjected to partial or full social security contributions, in compliance with Belgian legislation.
EEA citizens and citizens of countries with which Belgium has entered into social security agreements are entitled to full coverage. Belgium has bilateral agreements with the following countries: Algeria, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Israel, India, Japan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Morocco, the Philippines, Poland, San Marino, Serbia, South Korea, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, the United States, Uruguay.
In the case of partial social-security coverage, you are covered for health insurance, job-related accident and illness and you are entitled to receive child allowance. In the case of full social security coverage, you will also have retirement and unemployment rights.
You are required to take out a health-insurance policy, but the choice of the company is up to you. The cost amounts to € 14.85 per quarter. More information
If your family needs to be insured as well, your partner has to visit the health-insurance company in person because he/she must sign the appropriate documents personally. Partners of non-EEA citizens can be covered from the moment they have an Attestation of Immatriculation (orange card). EEA citizens can obtain coverage immediately.
Research associates
Salaried Visiting Professors are subject to full social security contributions and have the right to health insurance, job-related accident and illness, retirement and unemployment.
You are required to take out a health-insurance policy, but the choice of the company is up to you. The cost amounts to € 14.85 per quarter. More information
Self-supporting researchers
EEA citizens need to obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) proving coverage in their home country and enabling them to get medical treatment in Belgium reimbursed.
Non-EEA citizens are advised to take a personal insurance that covers them for medical care during their stay in Belgium; Belgian health-insurance coverage is possible but the cost is proportional to your taxable income (income earned anywhere).
The choice of the company is up to you. It may be useful to know, however, that K.U. Leuven has excellent relations with ‘CM - Leuven’ (a major health-insurance company). More information
