Urgent medical assistance for people staying illegally – policy cost and effectiveness
general assembly on May 7, 2025
In Belgium, people staying illegally with no means of support can apply to the Public Centres for Social Welfare (PCSWs) to have the cost of their healthcare covered under the system of urgent medical assistance. If these persons meet the legal conditions, the PCSWs must pay for their care. However, these centres often restrict access to care, sometimes illegally, while they are not competent in health matters. Such restrictions are likely to further increase health problems, entail more frequent hospitalisations and, consequently, higher public expenditure. This is also a risk factor for disease transmission among the population in general. The Belgian Court of Audit examined the cost and effectiveness of the federal policy for urgent medical assistance. It noted that Public Planning Service for Social Integration does not sufficiently monitor the decisions taken by the PCSWs and their impact on access to care.

- report|document written in French (PDF)1.34 MB
- report|document written in Dutch (PDF)1.32 MB
- summary|document written in French (PDF)113.63 KB
- summary|document written in Dutch (PDF)97.02 KB
- press release|document written in French (PDF)116.22 KB
- press release|document written in Dutch (PDF)115.58 KB
- abstract (PDF)62.45 KB