Reimbursement of language stays by health insurance funds in Belgium
In Belgium, some health insurance companies may cover part of the costs of your language stay, whether it be immersion language courses in Belgium and abroad, sports camps combined with language courses like those offered by Languages & Travel for the hockey, THE golf, horseback riding, etc., of stay with a private tutor, for example in the United Kingdom, etc.
Refund conditions
Reimbursement by health insurance companies depends on several conditions:
- Your age: generally, health insurance companies reimburse language stays for children and teenagers up to 18 years old.
- Length of stay: most health insurance companies limit reimbursement to one or two stays per year, with a maximum duration of two to four weeks.
- The type of stay: the language stays covered must be organised by an accredited (or not) organisation and offer a quality language learning programme.
- The cost of the stay: the amount reimbursed by health insurance companies varies depending on your contract and the total cost of the stay. It is generally a percentage of the price of the stay, with a maximum limit or a fixed amount.
How do I request a refund?
To claim reimbursement for your language course, you will generally need to provide your health insurance provider with the following documents:
- The completed health insurance reimbursement request form
- The bill for the language stay
- A certificate issued by Languages & Travel
List of Belgian health insurance companies that provide financial assistance for language stays
Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of Belgian health insurance companies that offer partial reimbursement for language stays:
- PartenaMut (Up to €115/year per child (up to and including 18 years old), for a maximum of 10 days and a maximum amount of €11.50 per day). Download the application form here . Only for language stays in the EU + UK.
- Christian Mutual Benefit Society (€4 per day, up to €100 max. per year per child, until the day before their 18th birthday): download the application form here or the Languages & Travel certificate
- Solidaris (€5 per day, up to a maximum of 15 days per calendar year): Click here to complete the language stay reimbursement request form
- Liberal Mutual Insurance (various forms of assistance available depending on your region of residence)
- The Neutral Health Insurance Fund (€6/day with a limit of 20 days/year). The health insurance reimbursement claim form for a language course can be downloaded here .
- Mutualia (maximum €100 per year). Complete and download the certificate here .
- Helan (5 euros per day up to a maximum of 40 days per year). The health insurance reimbursement claim form for your language stay can be downloaded here .
It is important to check with your health insurance provider the exact conditions for reimbursement of language stays.
Tips for getting your language course reimbursed by your health insurance provider
Here are some tips to maximize your chances of getting a refund for your language course:
- Check with your health insurance provider before booking your stay.
- Keep all supporting documents (Languages & Travel will provide you with a certificate if needed).
- Submit your refund request within the specified time frame.
In conclusion, health insurance plans can be a valuable source of funding for your language stays . Don't hesitate to contact your insurer to find out the exact reimbursement conditions.
Read also our article: “ How to best prepare for my language stay? ”