India
Belgium
Why patients from Belgium travel abroad for treatment
Belgium has a well-regarded healthcare system, yet patients sometimes find that highly specialised procedures — complex cardiac surgery, advanced oncology protocols, organ transplants, and certain niche interventional treatments — are available only at a limited number of centres, or carry significant waiting periods before a consultation or procedure can be scheduled. For patients whose condition is time-sensitive, or whose treatment falls outside what is routinely offered closer to home, travelling abroad for care becomes a practical and considered choice.
India has become one of the most established destinations for international medical travel, offering a combination of internationally accredited hospitals, experienced specialist teams, and treatment costs that are substantially lower than those in Western Europe — often without any compromise in clinical quality. For patients from Belgium, India presents a compelling option: modern infrastructure, English-speaking medical staff, and the ability to access complex treatments with shorter lead times than might otherwise be possible at home.
India is increasingly being trusted for medical care
India & Belgium: a friendship that extends to healthcare
India and Belgium have maintained uninterrupted diplomatic ties since September 1947, building a partnership that today extends firmly into health and life sciences. India's Minister of State for Health visited Brussels in September 2019, and the landmark Belgian Economic Mission of March 2025 — led by HRH Princess Astrid and including over 330 delegates — concluded 37 agreements spanning sectors that explicitly included healthcare. At the inaugural India–Belgium Strategic Dialogue in Brussels (June 2026), India's External Affairs Minister specifically identified life sciences as a priority sector for deepened cooperation, alongside clean energy and digital technologies. Bilateral trade already encompasses pharmaceuticals, and India's high-skilled professionals form the single largest non-European diaspora in Belgium — numbering over 35,000.
People ties reinforce this connection: approximately 1,100 Indian students are currently enrolled at Belgian universities, with 400–500 at KU Leuven alone forming the second-largest non-European student community there after China. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations annually offers Belgian nationals scholarships to study in India, and both governments agreed at the 2026 Strategic Dialogue to deepen people-to-people exchanges. For a Belgian patient considering medical travel, India is therefore far from unknown territory — it is a country with which Belgium shares active government-to-government health engagement, a large resident Indian professional community, and growing institutional ties across universities and research centres.
Sources: India–Belgium Bilateral Relations Brief, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (July 2026), mea.gov.in; India–Belgium Bilateral Relations Brief, Embassy of India, Brussels (July 2025), indianembassybrussels.gov.in; India Belgium Trade & Relations, India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF, 2025–26), ibef.org; India–Belgium Strategic Dialogue, Manorama Yearbook (July 2026); The Tribune — India, Belgium launch first Strategic Dialogue (July 2026).
Specialties for which patients generally travel to India
Heart treatment leads the corridor — across Cardiac Surgery, patients from Belgium most often travel for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), Heart Transplant Surgery and Heart Valve Replacement Surgery.
Fertility & women's health is another major draw: Infertility & IVF, with Donor Egg IVF, ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) and IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) Treatment among the most sought treatments.
Many patients also come for Cancer care — Medical Oncology — particularly Chemotherapy for Cancer and Targeted Therapy for Cancer.
Brain, spine & nerve care completes the picture across Neurosurgery, most commonly for Brain Tumor Surgery and Pituitary Tumor Surgery.
Eye, ear & dental care (Ophthalmology) is also among the care patients from Belgium commonly seek in India.
Many patients also come for Bone & joint care — Orthopedics — particularly Hip Replacement and Knee Replacement Surgery.
Popular Hospitals for Belgium patients in India
Accredited partner hospitals — specialties, doctors, facilities and accreditations. →
Medical visa from Belgium to India
Visa requirements for Belgian travellers are set by the Government of India and change from time to time. Rather than publish a procedure that may be out of date, we point you to the official source and confirm your position with you personally.
Check the official Indian government portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in — it is the only authorised site, and no third party can issue an Indian visa on your behalf.
Tell us you are travelling from Belgium and we will confirm what applies to you, what documents you need and what it costs — usually the same day you ask. Whichever route applies, we arrange the hospital invitation letter free of charge and guide you through the paperwork.
What to bring
- Medical reports & scans — all recent reports, imaging (on disc or drive), prescriptions and discharge summaries, ideally also as digital copies;
- Passport & photos — valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, plus a few passport-size photographs;
- Current medicines — in original packaging, with the prescriptions that cover them;
- A letter from your local doctor — diagnosis and treatment history, if available;
- Payment — an internationally enabled card and/or US dollars; hospitals accept both, and our team advises on the best way to pay;
- Comfortable clothing — loose, layered clothes for hospital stays and recovery;
- Travel documents & hospital papers — your passport, any visa or entry documents that apply to your nationality, and the hospital invitation letter;
- Your companion's documents — passport, photographs and their own travel documents.
Getting to India from Belgium
Belgium is well connected to India through major European hub airports. Patients departing from Brussels will typically find a good range of connecting flights to India, while those travelling from Antwerp most often route through Brussels or another nearby hub. Common onward connections operate through airports such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Dubai, or Doha, with arrival into major Indian medical hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Bengaluru depending on where treatment is planned. Total journey time from Brussels Airport (BRU) varies by destination: a direct flight to Delhi takes approximately 10 hours, while connections to Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Bengaluru typically add a layover and bring total travel time to between 11 and 16 hours depending on the routing chosen.. Ginger Healthcare coordinates airport reception and transfer to the hospital or accommodation on arrival, so patients and their companions are met and looked after from the moment they land.
Live prices from real airline searches — compare dates, airlines and stopovers before you budget. Opens in a new tab. See routes & fares →
Planning the cost of treatment in India
Planning the finances for medical travel involves looking beyond the hospital bill alone. Patients travelling from Belgium to India for treatment should account for all five principal cost areas from the outset.
- Treatment cost: Varies according to diagnosis, the specific procedure involved, the hospital chosen, and the treating physician's fees.
- Visa fees: Whatever visa applies to your nationality carries a government fee, plus a small bank processing charge. We confirm the current route and fee with you before you apply — see the visa section below.
Having a realistic picture of the complete outlay before departure allows patients to plan calmly and avoid unwelcome financial surprises far from home. That is precisely why Ginger Healthcare built the first-of-its-kind Medical Tourism Cost Calculator — a tool that generates a tentative estimate covering treatment, visa, return airfare and accommodation together in one place. Dedicated counsellors are available around the clock to walk through any questions the estimate raises.
| Procedure | Indicative cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Brain Tumor Surgery | $4,000 - $11,000 |
| Chemotherapy for Cancer | $500 - $2,000 |
| Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) | $3,500 - $7,000 |
| Heart Valve Replacement Surgery | $5,000 - $9,000 |
| Hip Replacement | $5,500 - $9,500 |
| IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) Treatment | $2,500 - $4,500 |
| Knee Replacement Surgery | $5,000 - $14,000 |
Indicative ranges for international patients — each procedure links to its detailed page. The final estimate depends on your medical reports, the hospital and the doctor.
🧮 Medical Tourism Cost CalculatorTreatment + visa + travel fare + stay — one tentative estimate, free. Estimate now →
Frequently asked questions — Belgium
Will I be able to communicate easily — do doctors in India speak English?
English is the standard language of medical practice across major Indian hospitals, and most senior specialists are fluent. Written communications, consent forms, discharge summaries and follow-up reports are all produced in English, making it straightforward for Belgian patients to stay fully informed throughout their care.
How long will I need to stay in India for my treatment?
The length of stay depends entirely on the procedure and your recovery progress — a minor intervention may require only a short visit, while complex surgery or multi-session treatment can take several weeks. Your Ginger Healthcare counsellor will give you a realistic estimate once your medical details have been reviewed, helping you plan leave, accommodation and travel accordingly.
Is it safe to travel to India for medical care, and how do I know the hospitals are reliable?
India's leading hospitals treating international patients hold accreditations from bodies such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH), which apply standards comparable to those used internationally. Ginger Healthcare works only with hospitals and specialists it has vetted, and your counsellor can share relevant accreditation information for any facility being considered for your care.
What support does Ginger Healthcare provide once I arrive in India?
Ginger Healthcare coordinates airport pick-up, hospital transfers, accommodation arrangements and interpreter support where needed. Counsellors remain available around the clock throughout your stay — not just during the planning phase — so that any questions or concerns that arise on the ground can be addressed promptly.
Google Reviews
What patients say about treatment in India & experience with us
Karim Tarik Raoui“Premium Patient Coordinator. Mamta was really helpful even if I changed my mind and didn't choose to get operated in India Edit: I changed my mind again and got an ACL repair surgery in Gurugram. Everything went super well. From the airport pickup to the accompaniment during the medical appointements. Thank you Avantika, Emad and the rest of the team ! Edit: I changed my mind again and got an ACL repair surgery in Gurugram. Everything went super well. From the airport pickup to the accompaniment during the medical appointements. Thank you Avantika, Emad and the rest of the team !”
Mironela Nebel“We came from Germany for treatment at BLK-Max Hospital, and our experience has been excellent from start to finish. A special thanks to Emad Hussain for his outstanding support, coordination, and care throughout our entire journey. He was always available, professional, and made everything smooth and stress-free. We would also like to thank Anushka for her kind support and excellent assistance. We truly appreciate everything the team has done for us. We highly recommend their services to anyone planning to come to India for medical treatment. They are trustworthy, reliable, and genuinely care about their patients. Thank you so much for everything!”
Helena Garrigos Martin “Very nice experience with Emad and Anushka , they guided me through the whole process and medical consultations! I recommend Ginger Healthcare with no doubt”
Amondeep Mandiar “I can honestly say that my experience seeking treatment abroad was nothing short of exceptional, and it really highlighted just how disappointing my experience with the NHS had been in comparison. After facing long delays, lack of clear communication, and a general feeling of being overlooked in the UK system, making the decision to travel overseas for care felt like a last resort—but it turned out to be the best decision I could have made. From the moment we arrived, everything was handled with a level of professionalism and efficiency that immediately put me at ease. The hospital itself was spotless, modern, and incredibly well-organised. There was no sense of chaos or long waiting around; every appointment, test, and consultation was arranged promptly and ran exactly on time. It felt like the entire system was built around patient care and comfort, rather than patients having to fit into an overstretched system. The medical team were outstanding. Every doctor and nurse I interacted with took the time to listen carefully, explain things clearly, and make sure I fully understood my treatment plan. I never once felt rushed or dismissed. Instead, I felt genuinely cared for and respected, which made a huge difference during what was already a stressful time. One of the standout parts of the entire experience was the support we received from Natasha, our international client coordinator. From the very beginning, she went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. She organised appointments, helped with paperwork, arranged transport, and was always available whenever we had questions or concerns. Her communication was excellent, and she made what could have been a very overwhelming experience feel simple and manageable. Natasha didn’t just do her job—she genuinely cared. She checked in on us regularly, made sure we were comfortable, and provided reassurance every step of the way. Having someone like her there made a huge difference, especially being in a foreign country where things can easily feel unfamiliar or stressful. Overall, the level of care, attention, and efficiency we experienced abroad was on a completely different level. It’s frustrating to say, but the contrast with the NHS was stark. Where we had previously faced delays and uncertainty, we instead found clarity, speed, and genuine compassion. I would highly recommend this hospital to anyone considering treatment abroad. The quality of care, combined with the incredible support from staff like Natasha, made what could have been a difficult experience into a very positive one. I’m truly grateful for the care I received and wouldn’t hesitate to make the same decision again if needed.”
Hakeem Rasully“Hi I just wanted to share my sincere appreciation for the outstanding experience I had. Everything exceeded my expectations, and I am especially grateful to Mr. Emad Hussain and Anushka . They took exceptional care of me throughout my time there, always ensuring I was comfortable and well looked after. Their support meant so much. I will absolutely recommend your services to everyone I know. Thank you once again for such a wonderful experience.”
Ana Maria Ghimbulut“Amazon experience all day at the hospital under caring fii dance and patience. Very help full and kind staff ready to help all the time.”