Travel and health insurance
A travel insurance is required to cover for a safe travel to Belgium. A health insurance covering all risks for the employee (and family) members must be provided for the application of the Single Permit.
First time travelling to Belgium for a long term stay funded by Ghent University
NON-EEA International hired staff travelling for the first time to Belgium and who are paid from a salary or scholarship from Ghent University, will be covered by a commitment of the employer that an affiliation with a Belgium health insurance fund will be started after arrival. If this document is issued for you, it can be found on the page with the available downloads.
It is recommended to take an additional travel insurance that is valid three months after arrival.
EEA internationals are advised to travel to Belgium with their European Health insurance card and proof of affiliation with a public insurance organization (S1 document).
After arrival in Gent all staff (NON-EEA and EEA nationals) must affiliate mandatory with a Belgian public health insurance fund to cover for the basic and additional health insurance. A proof of affiliation with the Belgian health insurance funds must be foreseen by NON-EEA nationals when a renewal of the single permit is requested.
International staff currently living in Belgium and funded by Ghent University
New or already existing employees (EEA or NON-EEA nationality) from Ghent University who live in Belgium must provide a proof of their affiliation with the Belgian health insurance fund to obtain an single permit in case of first application or renewal. The proof of affiliation can be requested at the health care fund. Please take into account that obtaining this document with certain public institutions will take 3 to 4 weeks.
The proof of affiliation from NON-EEA nationals with the private or public health insurance may not be older than 6 months at the time the Single Permit application is submitted by Ghent University with the Belgian authorities. If your procedural preparation was delayed for unforeseen conditions, you might therefore be requested to provide a new proof of affiliation if the validation date outrival the 6 months.
Researchers living in NON-EEA countries and covered by their own funding during the research stay in Belgium
Researchers currently living in a NON-EEA country and who will not funded by Ghent University must obtain a private travel and health insurance coverage that will cover the first three months of stay in Belgium. A proof of affiliation and the conditions must be presented in English, German, French or Dutch.
The (health) insurance fund or a medical travel insurance must cover the following:
- you must provide proof that you have adequate and valid medical travel insurance to cover any expenses for repatriation for medical reasons, emergency medical care and / or emergency treatment in a hospital or for death during your stay on the territory of the Schengen States.
- This insurance must be valid throughout the Schengen area and for the entire duration of the stay.
- The minimum coverage is EUR 30,000.
- In principle, you must take out this insurance in the country where you reside.
If it is not possible to obtain a sufficient insurance in the country where you reside, you can also affiliate for the UGent all-in insurance package for international visitors. The all-in insurance covers, within the policy conditions, health costs, civil liability in private life and travel insurance and this worldwide during the insured’s stay for research and education projects reasons under the auspices of Ghent University and in the framework of the European Erasmus Mundus program.
To obtain this insurance, your contact person within the faculty must fill in a digital form and provide a cost center. The premium paid by the department can be charged to the insured himself if previously agreed.
The proof of affiliation from NON-EEA nationals with the private or public health insurance may not be older than 6 months at the time the Single Permit application is submitted by Ghent University with the Belgian authorities. If your procedural preparation was delayed for unforeseen conditions, you might therefore be requested to provide a new proof of affiliation if the validation date outrival the 6 months.
After arrival in Gent all staff (NON-EEA and EEA nationals) must affiliate mandatory with a Belgian public health insurance fund to cover for the basic and additional health insurance.
NON-EEA researcher currently living in a EEA-country
In case you have an NON-EEA nationality but you live in a EEA country, following documents are required to travel to Ghent University and take up an funded position at the University:
- a proof of affiliation with the local social public insurance. It is called an S1 document and can be requested with the local insurance. An European Health insurance card can be added as proof of local insurance.
- An additional travel and health insurance is recommended
After arrival in Gent all staff (NON-EEA and EEA nationals) must affiliate mandatory with a Belgian public health insurance fund to cover for the basic and additional health insurance.
If you are sent on secondment to Ghent University and will not take up a funded position, following documents are required:
- a proof that the social security of the EEA country will continue during the secondment is necessary. This document is called an A1 form and will be requested by your employment to local national social security office.
- An additional travel and health insurance is recommended; or an affiliation with the UGent all-in insurance package might be an option.
The proof of affiliation from NON-EEA nationals with the private or public health insurance may not be older than 6 months at the time the Single Permit application is submitted by Ghent University with the Belgian authorities. If your procedural preparation was delayed for unforeseen conditions, you might therefore be requested to provide a new proof of affiliation if the validation date outrival the 6 months.