Increased Benefit (BIM/VT), Maximum Bill (MAF) and health aids in Belgium 2026: who qualifies
2.5 million Belgians benefit from Increased Benefit (BIM/VT) status, around 21% of the population. Many others would be entitled to it without knowing. Increased Benefit (BIM/VT) status, the Maximum Bill and the additional aids can reduce your health bill by several hundred to several thousand euros per year. Here is how to find out whether you qualify.
This article complements our guide to health insurance funds in Belgium. If you are not familiar with the INAMI system, the co-payment or the GMD, first go read the basic guide — what follows refers to it constantly.
The stakes are simple: everyone pays the same health contributions in Belgium, but not everyone pays the same costs. For those with modest incomes or significant health costs, two major schemes exist: Increased Benefit (BIM/VT) status, which reduces co-payments and gives access to additional benefits, and the Maximum Bill (MAF), which caps annual health spending. Plus a few specific aids that few people know about. To check your reference income, use our net salary calculator or our guide understanding your payslip.
Increased Benefit (BIM/VT) status — for whom and why
The BIM (Bénéficiaire de l'Intervention Majorée, Increased Benefit recipient) is a status that entitles you to a higher reimbursement of your health care. Concretely:
Who is granted the BIM/VT automatically?
For certain categories of people, the status is granted automatically by the health insurance fund, without any application. You are automatically a BIM/VT holder if you receive:
| Situation giving entitlement to automatic BIM/VT | Source |
|---|---|
| Social Integration Income (RIS) or equivalent CPAS aid for at least 3 consecutive months | CPAS |
| Income Guarantee for the Elderly (GRAPA) | SFP — Federal Pensions Service |
| Allowance for persons with disabilities (income replacement allowance, integration allowance) | DG Persons with Disabilities |
| Allowance for assistance to the elderly (APA in Wallonia/Brussels, Flemish equivalent) | AVIQ / Iriscare / Vlaamse sociale bescherming |
| Minor orphaned of father and mother | FAMIRIS / FAMIWAL / Opgroeien |
| Child with a disability of at least 66% | Family allowance fund |
| Unaccompanied foreign minor (MENA) | MENA guardianship |
If you are in one of these situations, your health insurance fund contacts you or applies the status without any action. You have nothing to do.
The "income" BIM/VT — for everyone else
If you are not in an automatic category, you can still obtain BIM/VT status if your household income does not exceed a certain ceiling. This is the declaration on honour, the most frequent way of being granted the status (1.3 million Belgians in 2025). If you are a tenant on a modest income, also look at our guides tenant rights and reducing your tenant charges.
Official ceilings in 2026 (amounts verified on the health insurance funds' websites):
| Reference period | Annual gross taxable ceiling (single person) | Increase per dependent person |
|---|---|---|
| One-year period (2025 income for an application in 2026) | €28,054.93 | + €5,193.74 |
| One-month period (with indicator) — as of 1 March 2026 | €28,662.69 | + €5,306.25 |
Concretely, a couple without children can obtain the BIM/VT if their 2025 income did not exceed €33,248.67 (28,054.93 + 5,193.74). A household with two dependent children can reach €43,636.15 (28,054.93 + 3 × 5,193.74). Always check with your health insurance fund's simulator for your specific case.
What is "the indicator"?
If a household member is in a situation marking a stable drop in income (unemployment or work incapacity for at least 3 uninterrupted months, bridging right for self-employed…), you can request an accelerated assessment based on the previous month's income (multiplied by 12). The ceiling is then higher. Very useful in the event of a recent setback.
Contact your health insurance fund (in branch or online). You will fill in a declaration on honour and provide proof of income (tax assessment notice for each adult household member, account statements or pension/allowance/RIS certificates, proof of any supplementary pensions). The health insurance fund processes the file — then you either receive the status or not. It is free and without commitment.
Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke announced at the end of April 2026 his intention to tighten the access criteria for the BIM/VT, notably by including assets in the calculation (proposal of a threshold of €60,000 of dormant capital). The debate is underway in Parliament. If you meet the current criteria, do not delay submitting your application — the new rules are not yet applied, and the status, once acquired, is retained as long as the conditions are met.
The Maximum Bill (MAF) — universal protection
While the BIM/VT targets modest incomes, the MAF applies to all Belgian households, BIM/VT holders or not. It is automatic protection that caps your health costs over the year.
The principle is simple: you accumulate co-payments over the course of the year. As soon as your household reaches a certain ceiling, your health insurance fund fully reimburses any additional costs. You have nothing to do — it is automatic, calculated by the health insurance fund based on INAMI and tax data.
There are 4 types of MAF, whose 2026 ceilings are as follows:
| Type of MAF | 2026 ceiling | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Social MAF | €548.55 / household | BIM/VT status holders and dependents |
| Income MAF (net income < €13,402.43 in 2024) | €270.55 | Households with very low incomes (automatic calculation) |
| Income MAF (other brackets) | Variable — between ~€450 and ~€1,800 | All households, progressive ceiling depending on 2024 income |
| Child MAF (under 19) | €792.35 / child individually | Any child under 19, regardless of household income |
The chronic MAF — bonus for regular spending
If a member of your household has individually borne at least €527.27 of co-payments in 2025 (or holds the "chronic condition" status), your MAF ceiling is reduced by €121.90 in 2026. You therefore reach full reimbursement more quickly. Combinable with the social MAF or income MAF.
You have nothing to do to benefit from the MAF. Your health insurance fund automatically adds up your co-payments linked to INAMI and the tax administration. As soon as the ceiling is reached, you receive a letter and your pharmacy is notified — you no longer pay anything at the pharmacy for reimbursable medicines until the end of the year. Other excess amounts are reimbursed to you monthly.
Concrete case: a BIM/VT couple with a chronic child. The household benefits from the social MAF (€548.55 - €121.90 chronic = €426.65 of co-payments before full reimbursement). The child benefits in parallel from their child MAF at €792.35. The protection is cumulative.
The social energy tariff — bonus of BIM/VT status
The social tariff for electricity and natural gas is a substantial reduction (often 30 to 50% compared to the market tariff) granted to certain recipients of social aid — including BIM/VT holders, under conditions. On the housing side, also look at the energy grants in Belgium which reduce the annual bill.
The grant is automatic: the FPS Economy communicates with your supplier, who applies the social tariff directly on your bill without any action on your part. You receive a letter as soon as the social tariff is activated.
Transport discounts for BIM/VT holders
BIM/VT status opens up discounts on all Belgian public transport. You need a BIM/VT certificate issued by your health insurance fund to activate the discount.
| Operator | Discount |
|---|---|
| SNCB (Belgian railways) | 50% on tickets in 2nd class everywhere in Belgium |
| STIB (Brussels) | Reduced fare on subscriptions and single tickets |
| TEC (Wallonia) | Preferential fares depending on zone and subscription |
| De Lijn (Flanders) | Discounts depending on the chosen formula |
SNCB procedure: present the BIM/VT certificate at the counter to buy a personal discount card. For the other operators, the certificate is requested when subscribing.
The Special Solidarity Fund — lesser known but essential
The INAMI's Special Solidarity Fund steps in for exceptional medical costs not reimbursed by the classic system: very expensive medicines not yet listed in the nomenclature, innovative medical devices, care abroad not covered by agreements, etc.
General conditions:
For the citizen, it is rarely automatic — it is rather a last-resort scheme, to be activated with your doctor and your health insurance fund when the costs become unbearable.