Belgium – Complementary and Alternative Medicine

What types of complementary and alternative medicine are available in Belgium?

CAM is gaining growing traction in Belgium, with a substantial number of people turning to alternative therapies to complement their standard medical care. The country offers an extensive range of treatment options, and several modalities enjoy a particularly prominent profile relative to many of their European counterparts.

Homeopathy is a therapeutic approach that relies on highly diluted substances intended to activate the body’s own capacity for healing. It enjoys widespread use in Belgium, where patients seek it out for conditions such as allergies, digestive complaints, and persistent pain. Its cultural standing in Belgium is markedly higher than in many other Western nations, where institutional resistance to homeopathy has been more pronounced.

Acupuncture, which has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine, entails the placement of fine needles at designated points on the body to stimulate healing responses. It is steadily gaining popularity in Belgium, with patients drawn to it for chronic pain management, anxiety relief, and fertility support.

Osteopathy takes a whole-body approach centred on the musculoskeletal system, with the goal of enhancing general health and function. It sees widespread use in Belgium, especially for back pain, headaches, and related musculoskeletal complaints. Chiropractic care, which similarly targets disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system through manual techniques including joint manipulation and mobilisation — with a particular focus on subluxations and their effect on nervous system function — is also broadly available across the country.

Naturopathy draws on natural interventions such as herbal preparations, nutritional supplements, and dietary adjustment to support health and wellbeing, and is seeing increasing uptake in Belgium for conditions including digestive disorders, allergies, and chronic conditions. Herbal medicine and phytotherapy are likewise practised, although neither currently benefits from dedicated legal recognition.

Beyond these primary modalities, Belgium is home to practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, anthroposophic medicine, reflexology, reiki, and diverse forms of massage therapy. At a European level, umbrella bodies represent therapies spanning acupuncture, Ayurveda, anthroposophic medicine, herbal and homeopathic medicine, naturopathic and traditional European medicine, reiki, and TCM. All of these approaches can be found in Belgium’s major urban centres, including Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and Liège.

When compared with countries such as Australia or Canada — where naturopathy and TCM operate as formally regulated professions with statutory registers — Belgium’s CAM environment is characterised by broader cultural receptiveness but more fragmented professional oversight. Therapies such as reflexology, energy healing, and Ayurveda currently function without any dedicated legal framework in Belgium.

Is complementary and alternative medicine regulated in Belgium?

Belgium’s approach to regulating CAM ranks among the most intricate in Europe. Well-intentioned legislation was introduced more than twenty-five years ago, yet its full enactment has been protracted, leaving a patchwork of defined rules and unresolved grey areas that all newcomers would do well to understand.

Following a question raised in the European Parliament in 1997, Belgium introduced the law on non-conventional practices on 29 April 1999 — widely referred to as the “Colla Law” — which set in motion the formal recognition process for four therapies: osteopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, and homeopathy.

Adopted by the Belgian Parliament to regulate the practice of non-conventional systems and preserve patients’ freedom to choose their therapeutic care, the Act provided for the establishment of four chambers corresponding to each therapy, and allowed the government to extend the list of recognised practices over time.

Critically, however, the implementing decree published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 26 February 2003 recognised professional organisations within non-conventional practice, while the legislation governing compulsory registration and the norms and standards applicable to each of the four therapies remains in progress as of 2025. The Colla Law’s ambitions have therefore not yet been fully realised, and the regulatory landscape continues to evolve.

The broader exercise of healthcare in Belgium is governed by the healthcare professions act, Royal Decree No. 78 of 10 November 1967. This legislation covers physicians, dentists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, and paramedical professionals. Under Article 2, the making of a diagnosis and the determination of treatment for a physical or mental condition are reserved for holders of a recognised medical diploma — meaning that only physicians, dentists, or midwives are legally entitled to diagnose and prescribe CAM treatments.

In practice, the professional exercise of a non-conventional therapy by a non-doctor technically constitutes an offence. Nevertheless, many non-medically trained practitioners do offer one or more of these treatments in day-to-day practice. This creates a pronounced divergence between the letter of the law and the reality on the ground across Belgium.

With respect to homeopathy specifically, the Belgian Council of Ministers adopted new regulations on 12 July 2013, subsequently formalised through a Royal Decree published on 12 May 2014 by the Ministry of Health. Under this framework, the legal practice of homeopathy is restricted to those holding qualifications as a medical doctor, dentist, or midwife.

This model differs considerably from the approach taken in the United Kingdom, where separate statutory registers govern chiropractors (General Chiropractic Council) and osteopaths (General Osteopathic Council), with protected titles that only registered practitioners may use. Belgium operates closer to a reserved-acts model, in which the right to diagnose and treat is tied to licensed medical status rather than to therapy-specific registration. No specific regulatory provisions have been identified for anthroposophic medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, or herbal medicine/phytotherapy, meaning these remain in a largely unregulated space.

The principal government authority with oversight of non-conventional practices is the Federal Public Service (FPS) Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment. The national medicines regulator, the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP / AFMPS), holds responsibility for the marketing authorisation and safety surveillance of herbal and homeopathic medicinal products. Given that the regulatory framework is still developing, it is advisable to consult these authorities for the most current requirements.

Is CAM covered by health insurance or the public healthcare system in Belgium?

A clear grasp of Belgium’s two-tier health insurance structure is indispensable for any expat considering CAM. All residents of Belgium — including those arriving from abroad — are required to enrol in compulsory health insurance as soon as they establish residency or begin working in the country. This insurance meets a substantial portion of healthcare costs, covering GP visits, hospital stays, and a range of other medical services.

Compulsory health insurance accounts for roughly 75% of total healthcare expenditure in Belgium. However, it does not extend to CAM. The Belgian compulsory system covers preventive and curative care deemed necessary to maintain or restore health, but eligibility for reimbursement is confined to services listed in the official nomenclature of medical services — and CAM therapies are absent from this list.

The situation changes when supplementary voluntary cover is considered. Supplementary insurance enables residents to top up their basic universal coverage and access additional reimbursements for services excluded from the compulsory system. These services include dental care, prescription eyewear, and alternative therapies such as osteopathy and physiotherapy. The scope of this supplementary cover varies from one mutual insurance fund to another, and individuals can tailor their level of cover to their particular circumstances.

Insurance reimbursements from insurance funds are generally in the region of €10 per session and may extend to between 5 and 12 visits per year across all non-conventional therapies — osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, and chiropractic (as of the last available data — verify with your fund). These figures can differ considerably between funds and are subject to revision.

While basic coverage is standardised across all funds, many residents opt for supplementary insurance to access additional benefits such as dental treatment, private hospital rooms, and alternative therapies. Some mutualities are notably more generous in their CAM reimbursements than others. The Onafhankelijke Ziekenfondsen/Mutualités Neutres, for example, provides comprehensive supplementary packages covering a broad range of health services, including alternative medicine.

Before commencing any course of CAM treatment, always confirm the current terms, session limits, and reimbursement amounts directly with your chosen mutual fund (mutualité/ziekenfonds). A full list of accredited funds is available through the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV).

How much does complementary and alternative medicine cost in Belgium?

In Belgium, CAM expenses are borne almost entirely by the patient out of pocket — unless supplementary insurance applies — making careful financial planning an important step before embarking on a course of treatment. Fees are shaped by the type of therapy, the practitioner’s level of experience, the region, and whether the practitioner holds a medical degree.

As a general guide, based on data from practitioners and professional associations (as of 2024):

• Osteopathy: An initial consultation typically falls between €60 and €90, with subsequent sessions ranging from €50 to €75. Fees in Brussels and other major cities tend toward the upper end of these ranges.
• Chiropractic: First appointments generally cost between €60 and €100, with follow-up visits typically priced at €45 to €70.
• Acupuncture: A standard session usually costs between €50 and €80. Practitioners who also hold medical qualifications may charge higher fees.
• Homeopathy: An initial consultation with a medically qualified homeopath can range from €60 to €120, with shorter follow-up appointments at €40 to €70.
• Naturopathy/herbal medicine: Initial sessions commonly run from €60 to €100, depending on the practitioner’s background and specialisation.

These figures are approximate and should be confirmed directly with individual practitioners or the relevant professional associations. Private insurance reimbursements are generally around €10 per visit for up to 5 to 12 sessions per year for the principal non-conventional therapies (as of the last available data). Even where partial supplementary cover applies, patients typically continue to shoulder a significant share of the cost themselves.

For context, conventional GP visits in Belgium’s public system require relatively modest out-of-pocket contributions — the Belgian mutuelle typically reimburses 75% of the standard tariff for GP consultations. For a standard visit costing approximately €30, patients can expect to recover around €22–25 from their mutuelle. This makes CAM considerably more costly per visit for most residents. It is always advisable to request a full fee schedule from any practitioner before attending your first appointment.

How do I find a qualified CAM practitioner in Belgium?

Locating a reputable CAM practitioner in Belgium calls for careful research, given the incomplete state of the regulatory framework. The steps below can help guide you toward a qualified and trustworthy provider.

1. Consult professional association directories. The principal professional bodies maintain registers of members who have satisfied defined training requirements. Key resources include the FPS Health’s non-conventional practices page, which identifies the recognised professional organisations for acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, and osteopathy.
2. Request a referral from your GP. Doctors may recommend CAM to their patients or practise it themselves, and certain CAM treatments can be administered legally by physiotherapists acting on medical prescription. Your GP can be an invaluable guide to credible local practitioners and may be able to direct you to medically trained CAM specialists within their professional network.
3. Confirm medical qualifications. Given that Belgian law formally reserves the right to diagnose and treat to licensed medical professionals, only physicians, dentists, or midwives are legally authorised to make diagnoses and prescribe CAM treatments. Enquiring about a practitioner’s medical or paramedical credentials and training is both reasonable and important.
4. Check for membership of recognised bodies. For homeopathy, organisations such as the Unio Homeopathica Belgica maintain membership registers. The Belgian Acupuncture Federation provides information and a directory of practitioners for acupuncture. For osteopathy, the Belgian Osteopathic Association can assist in identifying registered practitioners. Always verify current membership status directly with the relevant association.
5. Use the INAMI/RIZIV provider search tool. For practitioners operating within the national healthcare system, the ‘Find a care provider’ application on the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) website enables you to establish whether a given provider holds a contract within the system.
6. Draw on expat community networks. Expat forums and communities in Belgium — especially in Brussels — are active and well-connected, with residents regularly exchanging recommendations for practitioners who offer consultations in French, Dutch, German, and English.

Warning signs to be aware of: Exercise caution with practitioners who claim to diagnose serious medical conditions without any conventional medical background, who actively discourage consultation with a doctor, or who recommend purchasing large quantities of proprietary supplements at an initial appointment. Where patients choose to see a CAM practitioner without first consulting a physician, they are expected to confirm this preference in writing. Registered CAM practitioners are obliged to ensure that patients are not denied access to conventional treatment, and non-physician practitioners must keep patients’ doctors informed of their health status. Any practitioner who dismisses these obligations should be regarded with concern.

Are there traditional or indigenous medicine systems practised in Belgium?

Belgium does not possess a distinct indigenous traditional medicine system in the way that China has embedded TCM in national policy, or India has institutionalised Ayurveda at a governmental level. The country’s cultural heritage is rooted primarily in Western European traditions, and the folk medicine practices that once existed — including the use of medicinal plants and botanical remedies associated with Flemish and Walloon rural communities — have largely receded from mainstream use, although interest in botanical and herbal medicine persists through contemporary phytotherapy.

What Belgium does offer is a substantial presence of imported traditional medicine systems, reflecting the diverse urban population that characterises the country — particularly Brussels, one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the continent. Traditional Chinese medicine, encompassing acupuncture, moxibustion, and Chinese herbal medicine, is well established. No specific regulatory provisions have been identified for anthroposophic medicine or Ayurveda in Belgium, yet both are accessible and actively practised, especially in the larger cities.

Anthroposophic medicine — a system founded by Rudolf Steiner that weaves together conventional medical practice with holistic and spiritual principles — has a notable following in Belgium, with certain clinics and pharmacies stocking anthroposophic preparations. This reflects a broader Central European cultural current and gives anthroposophic medicine a higher profile in Belgium than in most countries outside the German-speaking world.

The European Pharmacopoeia serves as Belgium’s national pharmacopoeia and carries legally binding force. No national monographs exist separately. Herbal medicines manufactured in Belgium must comply with pharmacopoeial standards and the same Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) rules that apply to conventional pharmaceuticals. This means that herbal products sold through Belgian pharmacies must satisfy EU-level safety and quality requirements, offering consumers a meaningful degree of protection regardless of the cultural tradition from which a therapy originates.

What should expats know about using CAM alongside conventional medicine in Belgium?

Belgium’s conventional healthcare system is both high-quality and accessible, widely regarded as one of the finest in the world. Most residents can see their GP without excessive delays. The relationship between mainstream medicine and CAM in Belgium is layered, and understanding it clearly will help you make well-informed and safe decisions.

Belgian GPs differ in their attitudes toward CAM. Some are medically trained in homeopathy or acupuncture and practise these therapies themselves — which represents the most legally straightforward route to accessing regulated CAM in Belgium, since doctors may recommend or personally deliver CAM, and certain treatments can be administered legally by physiotherapists acting under medical prescription. That said, a significant number of conventional practitioners maintain a sceptical view of CAM, and it is generally wise to keep your GP informed of any alternative treatments you are pursuing.

Interactions between herbal preparations and pharmaceutical drugs represent a significant safety consideration. Many common herbal products — including St John’s Wort, ginkgo, garlic supplements, and echinacea — can interfere with prescription medications such as anticoagulants, antidepressants, and immunosuppressants. The Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP/AFMPS) is the authoritative Belgian reference for information on the safety of medicinal products, including herbal preparations. Disclosing all supplements and CAM therapies to your doctor or pharmacist is essential.

The Colla Law envisages a dual registration system — covering both non-conventional disciplines and their individual practitioners — designed to guarantee the quality of care received by patients. While this system is not yet fully operational, it reflects Belgium’s underlying commitment to integrating CAM alongside rather than in opposition to conventional medicine.

If you are seeking an integrative care model, some private clinics and university hospitals in Belgium operate multidisciplinary pain clinics or wellness centres where physiotherapy, manual therapy, and other evidence-adjacent CAM modalities may be combined with conventional treatment. Your GP is the best starting point for guidance in this direction. The Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE) publishes independent health technology assessments — including evaluations of CAM modalities such as acupuncture — providing a valuable evidence-based resource available in English, French, and Dutch.

Finally, when purchasing herbal, homeopathic, or other CAM products in Belgium, sourcing them from a licensed pharmacy wherever possible is strongly advisable. Safety standards for herbal medicines are equivalent to those applied to conventional pharmaceuticals and are upheld through the pharmacovigilance system and routine pharmacy inspections. Products obtained from unlicensed online vendors or informal market stalls may not satisfy these requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see a CAM practitioner in Belgium who speaks English or another language?

Yes, particularly in Brussels, which is home to a large and well-established international community. Many osteopaths, acupuncturists, and homeopaths in the capital consult in English, French, and Dutch. When seeking a practitioner, contacting professional associations directly to specify your language requirements is a practical first step. Expat community forums and international school parent networks in Brussels are also useful sources of personal recommendations for multilingual practitioners.

Is homeopathy legal in Belgium?

A Royal Decree published on 12 May 2014 formalised the recognition of homeopathy in Belgium. The framework established stipulates that practitioners must hold qualifications as a medical doctor, dentist, or midwife in order to practise homeopathy legally. Non-medically trained homeopaths continue to operate in a legal grey zone. Homeopathic medicines themselves are lawfully available in Belgian pharmacies, subject to EU regulations governing medicinal products.

How do I check whether a CAM practitioner in Belgium is properly qualified?

Ask the practitioner directly about their medical or paramedical qualifications and membership of any professional associations. For the four therapies covered by the Colla Law — homeopathy, acupuncture, osteopathy, and chiropractic — check whether they appear on the register of the relevant recognised professional organisation. For practitioners who hold a medical degree, registration can be verified through the Belgian Order of Physicians (Orde van Geneesheren / Ordre des Médecins). Always confirm membership directly with the association, as online directories may not always be current.

Are there any CAM therapies that are banned or illegal in Belgium?

No CAM therapy is outright criminalised for users in Belgium. However, the delivery of certain therapies by practitioners without medical qualifications remains technically unlawful under Royal Decree No. 78 of 1967, given that the making of a medical diagnosis is legally restricted to licensed medical professionals. This applies to all four Colla Law therapies until that legislation is fully implemented. Therapies falling outside the Colla Law’s scope — including Ayurveda, reflexology, and naturopathy — operate in an unregulated but broadly tolerated space.

Will my home country’s health insurance cover CAM in Belgium?

This depends entirely on the terms of your individual policy. If you hold a private international health insurance plan, review your policy documentation carefully for provisions relating to CAM, including any session limits or requirements for prior approval of Belgian practitioners. If you are relying on your home country’s statutory health insurance on a temporary basis — for example, via an EHIC for EU citizens — CAM coverage is very unlikely. Once you are resident in Belgium, you should enrol with a Belgian mutual insurance fund (mutualité/ziekenfonds) and examine whether their supplementary package includes CAM reimbursement.

Does Belgium’s national health system (INAMI/RIZIV) reimburse any CAM treatments?

Belgium’s compulsory health insurance covers preventive and curative care necessary to maintain or restore health, but only services listed in the official nomenclature of medical services qualify for reimbursement. Since CAM therapies do not appear in this nomenclature, they are excluded from compulsory system reimbursement. Partial reimbursement may nonetheless be available through the supplementary tier of your mutual insurance fund, subject to the fund you have joined and the coverage level you have selected. Always confirm the current terms directly with your mutualité before beginning treatment.

How does Belgium’s CAM culture compare to other countries?

A survey cited at the time of the Colla Law indicated that 40% of Belgium’s population had used one of the four principal CAM therapies, with 60% of those who had not done so willing to consider it — reflecting a high degree of cultural openness. Belgium’s acceptance of homeopathy is markedly stronger than in countries such as the Netherlands or the Nordic nations, where scientific scepticism of homeopathy has been more deeply embedded in institutional positions. Relative to the UK, which maintains statutory registers for both chiropractors and osteopaths, Belgium’s formal regulatory infrastructure for CAM practitioners is less advanced, although the intent underpinning the Colla Law is broadly comparable in ambition.

Can I bring my own CAM supplements or herbal products to Belgium?

Personal importation of modest quantities of licensed herbal or dietary supplements for personal use is generally permitted within the EU. However, products classified as medicinal products in Belgium — including certain herbal preparations — must satisfy Belgian and EU market authorisation requirements if they are to be sold in the country. If you are relocating to Belgium and wish to continue using specific products, check with the FAMHP (Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products) whether those products hold marketing authorisation in Belgium, and ensure you inform your Belgian GP or pharmacist of everything you are taking.