What to do when graduating?
As a student, you remain affiliated with CM through one of your parents until the age of 25. But what if you study longer, do some extra work, go abroad or graduate?
But what if you study longer, do some extra work, go abroad or graduate? Do you have to register yourself or not?
You're graduating
If you start working immediately, you must join CM in your own name. Are you looking for work? Then you do that after your professional integration period.
Graduated, what now?
Register with VDAB (or Actiris)
Have you graduated or stopped studying and don't have a job right away? Then register as soon as possible with the VDAB or Actiris in Brussels. For example, after your professional integration period, you are entitled to an integration benefit.
You can register with your national register number via:
- www.vdab.be or www.actiris.be;
- the toll-free number 0800 30 700 (every working day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.);
- a VDAB consultant.
Are you starting immediately as an employee or self-employed person? Then you obviously don't have to do this first step.
Register with CM
As a student and during your professional integration period, you are in principle affiliated to a health insurance fund through your parents as a 'dependent person'.
You are obliged to register as a 'titleholder' in your own name as soon as you:
- have a job ;
- starts working as a self-employed person ;
- the professional integration period has expired and you are looking for work ;
- 25 years old, even if you continue your studies.
Registering with CM is easy :
- complete the ' Application for registration' form;
- or make an appointment with a CM consultant.
If you are still a student, you can let CM know when you are likely to graduate. We will then ensure that you receive your documents on time.
- Form ' Graduating soon?'
Take out hospitalization insurance
Hospital costs can be high. Part of it is reimbursed by your health insurance, but you have to pay part of it yourself.
CM offers you solid hospitalization insurance for little money with the CM Hospital Plan. This hospitalization insurance is not mandatory.
Connection is possible via:
- www.cm.be/verzekeringen;
- 078 151 151;
- [email protected].
Notify your child benefit fund
Let your child benefit fund know that you have graduated.
- Flanders: even if you no longer meet the conditions as a 'student', you may still be entitled to the Growth Package as a 'school leaver'. You must meet some conditions.
- Brussels: in order not to lose the right to child benefit, you must register as a job-seeking school leaver. During the allocation period with Actiris, you can still receive the allowance under certain conditions.
You continue your studies after the age of 25
Until the age of 25, you can remain affiliated with one of your parents as a 'dependent child'. Afterwards you must join CM in your own name.
Important : there are a number of exceptions to this rule. For example, if you marry or live together and your partner has a job, you can be registered as a 'dependent person' with your partner.
You can connect in your own name in two ways:
- either you go to the CM office;
- or complete the ' Application for registration' form.
You combine studying with work
As a student, you can remain affiliated as a ' dependent child ' with one of your parents until the age of 25. You cannot always maintain that status if you work on the side.
You cannot retain the status of 'dependent child' if:
- you work as an employee and at least:
- earns 7,516.52 euros gross per year (for those aged 21 or older) (*);
- earns 5,637.39 euros gross per year (for those under 21 years old) (*);
- and your employer pays social security contributions for you.
In that case you must join in your own name. This can be done in two ways:
- either you go to the CM office;
- or complete the ' Application for registration' form.
Every employer registers every new employment on a digital platform. CM is also aware of your employment. If your status may need to be changed and you have not yet submitted an application, CM will contact you.
You then have the option to indicate that you still want to remain registered as a dependent (if this is possible according to the conditions) or that you want to join CM in your own name.
Are you not responding? Then you will automatically be registered in your own name.
(*) Amounts valid on January 1, 2023.
Important :
- Different criteria apply to income from a self-employed activity.
- Income as a student worker, which is not subject to social security, is not included in calculating the amount.
- Always inform your child benefit fund if you work as a student. Check whether or not your right to the Growth Package (Flanders) or child benefit (Brussels) has expired. In certain cases you can keep the benefit.
You are studying abroad
What you will be reimbursed for medical costs abroad depends on your destination, age and the duration of your studies.
If you are going to study abroad, you can benefit from CM travel assistance at CM. Please note: you must meet the conditions.
| Bulgaria Cyprus Denmark Germany Estonia Finland France Greece | Hungary Ireland Iceland Italy Croatia Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania | Luxembourg Malta The Netherlands Norway Austria Poland Portugal Romania | Slovenia Slovakia Spain Czech Republic United Kingdom Switzerland Sweden |
Depending on your destination, different conditions apply. Certain countries impose conditions regarding the nationality of the student for the reimbursement of medical care.
Important : the regulations of the country where you study always apply.
| Condition and destination | Reimbursement for medical care | What should you do? |
| One of the countries listed under 'with CM travel assistance', but you are not entitled to child benefit. | With the European Health Insurance Card you will receive reimbursement for medical costs during your stay. | Visit CM in advance. You will hear what documents you need and what you need to do to obtain reimbursement for medical care abroad. |
| Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Morocco, Serbia, Montenegro, Tunisia or Turkey. | Usually you need a document and you can only get reimbursement for medical care for a certain period of time . | Request the necessary documents from CM in advance . For medical care for which you cannot obtain reimbursement, it is best to take out travel insurance . It is important that this insurance sufficiently covers the costs for repatriation. |
| Australia or Quebec. | In Australia, you will be reimbursed for medical care costs with the European Health Insurance Card. In Quebec this can be done with the form BEQUE 128 . | Request the necessary documents from CM in advance . Register with the competent authority in your country of study: Medicare (Australia) or RAMQ (Quebec). Request a refund on site because no refund is possible back in Belgium. For medical care for which you cannot receive reimbursement, it is best to take out travel insurance . It is important that this insurance sufficiently covers the costs for repatriation. |
| A country other than those mentioned above (for example America, Africa or Asia). | Belgian legislation only provides for reimbursement in the event of an urgent hospital admission . Other costs are non-refundable. | For medical care for which you cannot receive reimbursement, it is best to take out travel insurance . It is important that this insurance sufficiently covers the costs for repatriation. |