How to Join Partenamut: A Guide for Newcomers to Belgium from a Long-Time Resident

Hey there! I’ve been living in Belgium for eight years now, and if there’s one thing I can tell you, it’s that getting your health insurance sorted out early is a must. Health insurance is part of the everyday life puzzle here, and it’s something you’ll need to tackle right after registering at the municipal office. Belgium's social security system requires everyone working or living here to join a "mutuelle" (mutualités/mutualiteiten). If you’re like I was when I first arrived, this all sounds a bit overwhelming. No worries—let me walk you through how to join Partenamut, one of Belgium’s most well-known mutual health insurance companies.

1. Partenamut Insurance Plans

Partenamut offers basic mandatory health insurance that covers partial reimbursement for medical expenses like doctor's visits, hospital stays, and medication. It’s more than just basic healthcare, though—Partenamut also has supplementary plans that might be exactly what you need:

• Dental Insurance: Dentalia Up covers dental treatments and preventive care. It’s great because it includes everything from basic cleanings to more complex dental procedures like fillings and root canals. Routine checkups are considered preventive, so you can get those fully reimbursed.

• Hospital Insurance: This covers additional costs if you end up in the hospital, like private room fees. It means you can stay a bit more comfortably and reduce the financial burden if you need to be hospitalized.

• Income Protection Insurance: If you get sick and can’t work, this insurance provides compensation. It’s especially helpful for freelancers or anyone worried about losing income due to a long-term illness.

• International Medical Insurance: For those of us who love to travel, this plan covers medical emergencies outside Belgium. If you’re frequently on the go, this can give you some peace of mind.

• Health Promotion Benefits: Partenamut even helps with staying active. They offer subsidies for sports clubs or fitness apps, like Strava or Freeletics, which is great if you need some extra motivation to stay healthy. They’ll cover up to €20 a year for these apps, which is a nice bonus.

If you’re an expat like me, Partenamut’s Business & Expats Health Insurance department has got your back. They offer insurance plans tailored to expats and multilingual support to help you navigate the process without stress.

1.1 Insurance Costs

Partenamut’s insurance costs will depend on which plans you choose and your personal situation. Here’s a rough idea of what to expect:

• Basic Health Insurance: Around €10 to €20 per month, depending on factors like your age, where you live, and whether you’re adding dependents.

• Dental Insurance (Dentalia Up and Dentalia Plus): Around €6 to €15 per month, depending on the coverage level.

• Hospital Insurance: Around €15 to €25 per month, depending on your room choice (like private vs. shared) and any extra coverage.

• International Medical Insurance: Around €5 to €10 per month—perfect if you’re traveling a lot and want to stay covered.

The exact cost will depend on your circumstances, but Partenamut also has a handy online calculator to give you a quick estimate.

2. Prepare the Necessary Documents

Before you can sign up, you’ll need to gather a few essential documents:

• Proof of Identity (e.g., passport or Belgian residence permit)

• Proof of Residence in Belgium (e.g., rental contract or utility bill)

• Proof of Employment or Other Source of Income (if applicable)

These documents help Partenamut verify your residency and insurance needs, and make sure you get the plan that fits you best.

3. Apply Online or In-Person

You have two options for applying—online or in-person.

• Online Application: Head to Partenamut’s website at Business & Expats Health Insurance. You can find the registration form there and submit it online. They’ve made it pretty easy, and there’s multilingual support (English, French, and Dutch) to help expats like us.

• In-Person Application: If you’d rather talk to someone face-to-face, you can visit one of their offices. The advisors are super helpful and can explain all the different options to make sure you choose the one that works best for you. It’s a great way to get any specific questions answered.

4. Confirm Insurance Activation

After you’ve applied and submitted all the necessary documents, you’ll get a confirmation letter letting you know your insurance is active. From there, you can manage everything on their online customer platform (My Partenamut) or through their mobile app. You can check your insurance status, submit reimbursement claims, and explore other health services—all from your phone or computer.

The My Partenamut platform is available 24/7, which is really convenient when you need to manage your health insurance on your own schedule. You can also track your reimbursement progress and even apply for extra services online, making it super easy and efficient.

Q&A Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the benefits of Partenamut dental insurance? I personally love the Dentalia Up plan—it covers both preventive and therapeutic care, so I don’t have to worry when I go for my regular checkups or if I need something more serious done. You can get up to €1,250 per year, and that increases to a maximum of €2,200 after ten years. Plus, if you sign up your kids before they turn five, they’re eligible for full coverage right away. The flexibility and coverage make it a solid choice for anyone, no matter your age.

• How does hospital insurance help me? Hospital stays can be pricey, and having hospital insurance can really ease that burden. The Hospitalia plan offers coverage for shared rooms up to €25,000 a year, which also includes costs from 30 days before and 90 days after your stay. If you prefer a private room, Hospitalia Plus provides unlimited annual reimbursement and covers up to 300% of specialist fees. There’s also a "Serious Illness Insurance Option" to cover non-hospital expenses. Plans start as low as €4.11 per month, which is pretty reasonable for the peace of mind it provides.

• How can I check my insurance status? You can manage everything through the My Partenamut platform. It lets you see your insurance documents, submit claims, and track reimbursements whenever you need to. It’s super convenient and makes keeping on top of your health insurance hassle-free.

Conclusion

Joining Partenamut health insurance is one of those crucial steps to settling in Belgium. It protects your health and keeps you in line with local regulations. Whether you’re a newcomer trying to figure it all out, or just looking for a better insurance plan, Partenamut’s got a variety of services to help you feel at home and well-covered.