Have you decided to move to Brussels and work as an expat? An excellent idea! Behind its sometimes complicated appearance at first glance, Europe's capital also conceals a standard of living, character and temperament worth getting to know. And to get the most out of your stay, think of the essentials: insurance adapted to cover you and your loved ones.
A personalised approach for expats
KBC Brussels' approach is unique in Belgium: it's actually the only bank aimed exclusively at those living and working in Brussels. This includes many expats. Out of almost 1.2 million inhabitants, Brussels is home to more than 400,000 expats, around 45,000 of whom work for the EU. The French have a strong presence in the capital with more than 62,000 nationals.
Whether it's about banking or insurance, KBC Brussels offers an fully personalised approach to all their customers, adapted to their circumstances. Because our employees, who are themselves from Brussels, know the city's legislation, tax system and particularities inside out, they can provide you with the best advice to make the most of your stay in the capital. This is true for the financial side of things. It's also true for insurance. We don't call ourselves KBC Brussels Bank & Insurance by chance.
1. Health Insurance
If you are working and paying social security contributions in Belgium, you have access to the social security system which reimburses your basic healthcare costs: this is statutory health insurance. But in contrast to the majority of European countries where this is an automatic right, to benefit from it in Belgium, you must register yourself with a health fund. This health fund will reimburse your medical care and medicine (fully or partially, depending on the case), based on the documents and prescriptions provided by the doctor you consult.
In addition to statutory health insurance, it may prove useful to take out additional health insurance for any risks not covered by social security, such as hospital fees, specialist consultations, dental fees, optical fees or maternity fees. Such insurance makes it possible for you to deal with unforeseen hospital fees, for example, or to make up for financial loss following an accident or long-term disability.
2. Family Insurance
Traditional family insurance covers you and members of your household against damage caused to third parties in a personal context.
You can add other types of insurance to this, which protect your family against incapacity to work, accidents, death and cybercrime, for example.
3. Home Insurance
Even though fire insurance and home insurance is not compulsory by law, taking out such insurance is strongly advised, whether you are a tenant or owner.
As a tenant, you are responsible for the property you live in. Fire insurance covers your rental liability as well as your furniture, including theft.Â
As an owner, fire insurance protects your property and its contents against fire, but also against damage caused by natural disasters, as well as theft. Several options can be added should you have a garden, outbuildings, a poolhouse, etc.
It's also possible to take out home assistance insurance. This guarantees you get help quickly in case of unexpected problems, for example, if the heating has broken, toilets are blocked, or there's a broken key in the front door...
4. Mobility Insurance
If you bring your own vehicle to Brussels and live there for more than three months, you will need to register and insure it in Belgium. In addition to compulsory civil liability car insurance, which covers any costs caused to third parties, you will need omnium insurance if you wish to protect the value of your vehicle.
If you use other, more practical means of transport in Brussels, such as scooters or bikes (electric or not), specific types of insurance exist to protect them again damage and theft.
5. Travel Insurance
As an expat, you probably have to travel frequently. To return home from time to time, for example. Travel insurance covers you against most unexpected events which can occur during a trip: cancellation, lost luggage, accidents, illness, legal aid, etc.
