Six Major Changes Take Effect for Belgians on June 1, 2026
A series of significant policy changes will take effect across Belgium on June 1, 2026, touching everything from cancer survivors’ insurance protections and expanded HPV vaccine access to new rules on tobacco packaging, eco-cheques, home nursing, and railway employment. The measures, reported by RTBF, represent one of the most consequential single-day policy shifts of the year for Belgian households.
Expanded ‘Right to be Forgotten’ for Cancer Survivors
Perhaps the most impactful change concerns the “right to be forgotten” (droit à l’oubli), which has been extended to new insurance categories. From June 1, people who have been cured of cancer will no longer need to declare their former illness when taking out travel cancellation insurance. This protection already existed since 2019 for life insurance linked to mortgages, but the expansion means former patients can no longer be penalized with insurance refusals or significantly higher premiums for travel policies. Certain controlled chronic diseases are also covered under the scheme, with variable waiting periods after recovery or stabilization.
HPV Vaccine Reimbursement Extended to Age 30
In a major public health initiative, reimbursement of the Gardasil9 vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) is being extended to young adults aged 19 to 30. According to La Libre, the measure carries a budget of approximately €6 million. The vaccine, which costs €120.59 per dose with a full schedule of three injections, will now cost patients just €12.80 per dose after reimbursement. HPV is a highly contagious sexually transmitted virus responsible for about 5% of cancers, including cervical, throat, and anal cancers. The expansion is expected to result in approximately 60,000 additional vaccinations per year. High-risk groups — including patients with HIV, stem cell transplant recipients, and organ transplant candidates — continue to receive reimbursement up to age 45.
Eco-Cheques Expanded to More Products
Consumers using eco-cheques will find more products eligible for purchase from June 1. The expanded list includes food and textile products bearing the Fairtrade label, products from ASC-certified aquaculture, and certain energy-efficient household appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washer-dryers. The move is designed to encourage more sustainable and environmentally friendly purchasing habits.
Neutral Packaging Extended to All Tobacco Products
Belgium is extending its standardized packaging rules to all tobacco products. From June 1, cigars, cigarillos, pipe tobacco, rolling papers, filters, and tubes must be sold in plain packaging without logos or attractive colors. These rules have applied to cigarettes and rolling tobacco since 2020. The government aims to reduce the marketing appeal of tobacco products, particularly among young people, while making health warnings more prominent. A transition period will allow some old packaging to remain on shelves for a few months.
Pilot Project for Home Care Nurses
A two-year pilot project starting in June will involve over 1,000 home care nurses. Currently paid per procedure, some nurses in the pilot — led by the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI) — will instead be paid by the hour, with travel time taken into account. The goal is to better compensate tasks that are currently poorly or not remunerated, such as patient support and education. The results could inform a broader reform of home nursing care financing.
End of Statutory Appointments for New Railway Workers
A significant labor policy change is coming to Belgium’s railway sector. From June 1, all new workers hired at SNCB, Infrabel, or via HR Rail will be recruited under standard employment contracts, marking the end of statutory “cheminot” appointments for new recruits. As DHnet reported, Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) has championed the reform as part of broader efforts to modernize human resources management in the rail sector. HR Rail will remain the legal employer, but SNCB and Infrabel will now be able to recruit and train staff directly.
What This Means for Belgians
Taken together, these six changes reflect several key policy priorities: expanding social protections for serious illness survivors, investing in preventative public health, promoting sustainable consumption, and modernizing labor structures in both healthcare and rail transport. For Belgian households, the most immediate impacts will be felt in insurance costs, healthcare access, and everyday purchasing power through eco-cheques. The home nursing pilot and railway reform, while less visible today, could reshape two important sectors over the coming years.