Belgian health insurance funds (Christian Health Insurance Fund, Liberal, Socialist, Independent, Symbio) each have their own supplementary package through which they reimburse their members for things that the RIZIV (national health insurance) basic coverage does not cover. For wheelchair users and people with a disability, this is an important financial buffer that often goes unused because the information is scattered and not always clearly communicated.
In this guide we lay out for 2026: what Belgian health insurance funds reimburse for adapted transport, aids, respite stays and accessible B&Bs, and how you apply.
Important disclaimers up front
The exact rates vary per health insurance fund and change annually — use this as a guide, and always check the current amounts with your own fund. We link systematically to the official pages.
Reimbursements are usually complementary with VAPH (Flemish Agency for People with a Disability) (Flanders), AViQ (Wallonia), PHARE (Brussels) or FPS Social Security (federal allowances). Combine them where possible.
Always request advance approval for large expenses — an after-the-fact claim is often not reimbursed.
Adapted transport
What is reimbursed?
- Adapted taxi rides for specific purposes: hospital visits, rehabilitation, dialysis, oncology. Often 50-80% reimbursement up to an annual ceiling.
- Transport costs for holders of a disability certificate for medical appointments — the basic insurance (RIZIV) covers part of these, the supplementary package covers the difference.
- Special transport for people who cannot travel by public transport — Social Transport (the fund's own network) or contracted carriers. Often free or heavily subsidised for members with a disability certificate.
How to apply
- A disability certificate or medical certificate from your treating doctor is usually required.
- Application form on the website of your fund to fill in.
- Prior approval for non-medical social transport (e.g. shopping trips).
- Receipt of every ride for the reimbursement.
Specific links per fund
- Christian Health Insurance Fund (CM): cm.be/diensten-en-voordelen
- Liberal Mutuality (LM): mloz.be
- Socialist Health Insurance Fund (Solidaris): solidaris.be
- Independent Health Insurance Funds (MLOZ): mloz.be
- Symbio: symbio.be
Aids: wheelchair, rollator, scooter
What is reimbursed?
- Basic wheelchair or rollator: RIZIV covers the largest part (50-100% depending on type and certification). The supplementary package of the health insurance fund covers extra options such as seating-posture adjustments, fine-tuning, sports wheelchairs.
- Adapted bike (handbike, duo bike, wheelchair bike, tricycle): often 30-50% reimbursement up to an annual ceiling of €1,500-2,500 in 2026 (varies per fund). This is further developed in our adapted bikes pillar blog.
- Electric scooter (for shorter distances): usually not covered by RIZIV, but partly by the supplementary package of the fund. Request a quote before purchase.
- Adapted car accessories (wheelchair lift in vehicle, swivel seat): 30-50% via the fund + extra via VAPH/AViQ/PHARE.
Practical tip
For every purchase, request a cost estimate for the fund in advance from the supplier. The paperwork administration is often the biggest obstacle — a supplier who "speaks" with your fund makes the process much smoother.
Respite stays and accessible B&Bs
What is reimbursed?
- Recognised respite stays (VAPH-recognised care hotels or youth accommodations accessible to people with a disability): the fund often reimburses a day rate for the informal carer or for the care recipient themselves, up to €40-60/day in 2026.
- Holidays for people with a disability: some funds organise or subsidise adapted holidays through partners such as Iedereen Verdient Vakantie (IVV) — ask your fund about partner organisations.
- Accessible B&Bs: not automatically reimbursed, but in combination with informal-carer respite or rehabilitation a contribution can be requested. Proof of VAPH/AViQ status helps.
Application process
- Gather your disability certificate or VAPH/AViQ recognition.
- Search for recognised stays via your fund's website or via iedereenverdientvakantie.be.
- Submit the application before the booking — not afterwards.
- Combine with VAPH/AViQ budget where possible for maximum coverage.
In our accessible B&Bs and gîtes pillar blog we go deeper into finding suitable stays.
Other reimbursements to know
- Home modifications (step-free conversion, bathroom): VAPH/AViQ/PHARE offer allowances up to €15,000-30,000. The health insurance fund can contribute additionally for specific items (shower seat, grab bars, anti-slip).
- Personal Assistance Budget (PAB): VAPH (Flanders) or equivalent in other regions. Not covered by the fund but important to know.
- Allowance for increased expenses (federal, FPS Social Security): for people with a disability rating ≥ 7/18 or permanently reduced income.
- Person-Linked Budget (PVB) for care-intensive situations: VAPH (Flanders).
Practical tips for maximum coverage
Centralise your administration with one person. Health insurance fund applications, VAPH applications, RIZIV reimbursements and tax reductions all run alongside each other. A family member or trusted person who oversees all the paperwork often doubles the actual coverage.
Apply again every year. Many reimbursements are not automatically renewed. Plan an annual "paperwork day" on which you submit all applications for the following year.
Request an in-person fund advisor. A scheduled meeting with a social worker at your fund's office — usually free — gives you a personal overview of what you specifically can claim given your situation.
Combine with VAPH/AViQ/PHARE. Health insurance fund + regional allowances + federal = three layers of reimbursement. Total coverage is often higher than people individually expect.
Keep all invoices for 3 years. Some reimbursements can be submitted afterwards, others cannot. To be safe: keep your invoices for 3 years in a digital folder.
To finish
Belgian health insurance fund reimbursements for wheelchair users are substantial but scattered across different files, forms and annual packages. Those who muster the administrative discipline to submit all applications systematically every year often recover hundreds to thousands of euros that would otherwise simply stay among the expenses.
The single most important action: schedule a meeting with a social worker at your fund. That person knows the system better than any website and can give you a personal overview in 30 minutes of what you specifically can claim in 2026. Many people discover that they can get their adapted bike, their respite stay AND part of their urban transport for half the actual cost — if they fill in the right paperwork on time.
Do you have experience with a specific reimbursement that worked for you (or didn't)? Let us know — we'll add those experiences to help other wheelchair users.