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MEDICAL

VAT on hairpieces and wigs prescribed for medical reasons will be reduced in 2022 from 21% to 6%

(in Belgium).

 
VAT - Reduction
 

Many people automatically think of cancer when they think of hair loss due to illness or disease treatment, but baldness or alopecia can be the result of a variety of medical reasons and can sometimes haunt some for a lifetime and have a major impact on your life.

The cost of a hairpiece varies depending on the type of hair. The average price of a synthetic hairpiece in synthetic fiber is 750 €. The average price for hairpieces in real hair, which is also more often preferred, is higher around 2000 €.

By reducing the VAT from 21% to 6%, the cost price can be reduced by several hundred euros.

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To be able to make use of the reduced VAT percentage, one only needs to be able to present a prescription for a hair prosthesis from the attending physician or dermatologist.

 

Hairpieces that qualify for the reduced VAT rate of 6% are those for which the RIZIV/INAMI reimburses the costs and which are prescribed by a doctor or dermatologist for the treatment of the following indications:

  • Complete baldness due to radiotherapy and/or antimitotic chemotherapy;

  • Baldness of more than 30% due to the skin disease alopecia areata

  • Baldness of more than 30% due to hair loss with scarring (cicatricial alopecia) of physical/chemical, traumatological or inflammatory origin

  • Hair loss with scarring due to radiotherapy (cicatricial alopecia) of radiotherapeutic origin.

  • Belgian resident + Belgian insurance

 

Androgenetic alopecia is not included here.

 

In order to benefit from the reduced VAT rate of 6% for a hairpiece, you must be able to submit a prescription from the attending physician or dermatologist for a hair system.

This certificate must explicitly state that the above indications concern a chronic or long-term condition.

 

The attending physician or dermatologist therefore issues a certificate stating the duration of the illness or disability (this determines the validity of the certificate). With every purchase of a hairpiece, the patient submits to the seller the certificate that is valid at the time of the first VAT claimability.

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If you want to purchase a hairpiece with 6% VAT, you can send the following information by e-mail:

  • A prescription from your attending physician that is not older than 3 months.

  • The name of the desired hairpiece + color

  • Full address + phone number

 

Health insurance
 

Statutory health insurance provides reimbursement for hairpieces for both men and women. It is never higher than the invoiced amount and amounts to a maximum of 180 €.

In case of baldness due to cicatrial alopecia, or scarring caused by radiotherapeutic treatment, the maximum is 270 €.

 

Requirements:

  • Complete baldness due to radiotherapy and/or antimitotic chemotherapy

  • Baldness of more than 30% due to alopecia areata or cicatricial alopecia of physical/chemical, traumatic or inflammatory origin

  • Cicatricial alopecia of radiotherapeutic origin.

How much:

  • 180 €
    * complete baldness due to radiotherapy and/or antimitotic (= which slows down cell division) chemotherapy;
    * baldness of at least 30 percent because of: certain skin diseases; scarring of physical/chemical, traumatic or inflammatory origin.

  • 270 € for baldness due to scarring caused by radiotherapeutic (radiation) treatment (cicatricial alopecia of radiotherapeutic origin)

 

To request:

Send the medical prescription from your doctor and the invoice for your hairpiece to your health insurance fund.

You are entitled to a new refund at the earliest 2 years after the previous purchase.

 

This legislation only applies in Belgium.

 

For more information, feel free to contact me via email or live chat.

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