Insurance for international students at KdG

Arranging your insurance is an essential step before coming to Antwerp. 

All international students, full-degree or exchange, must have health coverage for their entire stay. You may also need additional protections like third-party liability and fire insurance, depending on your situation and accommodation.

Quick overview:

  • Health insurance is mandatory for all international students.
  • EU students: apply for an EHIC and register with a Belgian health insurance fund.
  • Non-EU students: register with a Belgian health insurance fund and provide proof for visa purposes.
  • Third-party liability and fire insurance are recommended, and fire insurance may be required depending on your rental contract.

If you have questions or need some advise about your insurance, contact us at insurance@kdg.be

Do I need health insurance in Belgium?

Yes, every international student at KdG must have health insurance covering the full duration of their stay. 

  • Health insurance reimburses part of your medical costs in Belgium.
  • This includes visits to a doctor, hospital care, prescribed medication, physiotherapy and emergency treatment. Without insurance, these costs can be very high.

Health insurance for EU students

  • Apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in your home country.
  • The EHIC is valid in all EEA countries and Switzerland.
  • To use healthcare services in Belgium, you must register with a Belgian health insurance fund. Registration is free.
  • With an EHIC, you are entitled to healthcare in Belgium under the same conditions as Belgian residents (after registration with a fund).

Health insurance for non-EU students

  • As a non-EEA student, you must register with a Belgian health insurance fund.
  • You may need proof of coverage for your visa application.
  • Provide your proof of enrolment at KdG to the insurance fund.

Belgian health insurance funds

You are free to choose your insurer. All operate under the same rules, so costs and coverage are similar. English-friendly options include:

Third-party liability insurance

Third-party liability insurance protects you if you accidentally cause damage or injury to someone else in your private life. 

  • Third-party liability insurance is not mandatory, but highly recommended.
  • According to Belgian law, when someone suffers loss or damage because of your error, carelessness, or negligence on your part, you are liable for this. Examples: you break someone’s laptop, damage someone’s bike, you hit someone with your bike or cause a small accident in someone’s accommodation. Without this insurance, you have to cover the full costs yourself.
  • If you do not have a third-party liability insurance that protects you during your private life in Belgium, contact an insurance provider or a bank for more information. For example: Ethias, Belfius Direct, AXA, Allianz, ING, KBC. At KBC you will find information in English. The others only give information in national languages of Belgium (Dutch and French).

Fire insurance for your accommodation

That depends on your rental contract.

Under Belgian law, tenants are liable for fire damage and related hazards in their rented room or apartment, unless the cause was force majeure (beyond your control).

Fire insurance is available from Belgian insurers and banks such as KBC, ING, Ethias, Belfius.

1. Check your rental contract first
Some landlords include fire insurance with a waiver of recourse.
This means the landlord’s insurer covers fire-related damage without reclaiming costs from you.

  • If a waiver of recourse is included: you do not need your own insurance.
  • If it is not included: you must take out tenant fire insurance.

Exchange students can sometimes extend their parents’ home insurance if it covers accommodation in Belgium. Otherwise, take out a separate policy.

2. What does tenant fire insurance cover?
Your policy must include:

  • Tenant liability: damage you cause to the building (fire, smoke, water damage).
  • Third-party liability: damage affecting neighbours or shared areas.
  • Your personal belongings: clothing, furniture, electronics and other items you bring.