Flanders redraws its fourteen regional healthcare zones

The Flemish Government adopted, on July 17, 2026, an order delimiting the regional care zones and amending the annex of the decree of May 23, 2003, relating to the distribution into care regions. The text was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on September 4, 2026 (p. 48181), under reference C − 2026/006403. It organizes the structuring of the organization of healthcare and social assistance in Flanders.

The order is part of a policy aimed at aligning regional care zones as closely as possible with the boundaries of the reference regions. It supports the momentum toward more integrated care and support, in accordance with the 2024-2029 Flemish government agreement, and provides a clear geographical structure upon which the sectors of the Welfare, Public Health and Family policy domain can gradually rely.

Fourteen regional care zones

Article 1 of the order defines the regional care zones, consisting of the primary care zones referred to in Article 13 of the decree of April 26, 2019. The fourteen selected zones are as follows:

• Limburg: Noord-Limburg, West-Limburg, MidWestLim, Herkenrode, Haspengouw, Kemp en Duin, Maasland, ZOLim;
• East Flanders: Druivenstreek, Leuven-Noord, Leuven, Leuven-Zuid, Demerland, Zuidoost-Hageland;
• Halle-Vilvoorde: Zennevallei, Pajottenland, AMALO, Regio Grimbergen, BraViO;
• Campine: Kempenland, Middenkempen, Zuiderkempen, Baldemore;
• Antwerp Region: Antwerpen-Centrum, Noord-Antwerpen, Antwerpen Oost, Antwerpen-Zuid, Noorderkempen, Voorkempen, ZORA, RupeLaar;
• Rivierenland: Klein-Brabant Vaartland, Mechelen-Katelijne, Pallieterland, Bonstato;
• Waasland: Z-W-Waasland, N-O-Waasland;
• Dender Region: Regio Aalst, Dender-Zuid, Dender;
• Ghent Region: West-Meetjesland, Oost-Meetjesland, Schelde en Leie, Gent, Scheldekracht;
• Flemish Ardennes: Vlaamse Ardennen, Panacea;
• West Flanders-North: Middenkust, Oostkust, Brugge, Houtland en Polder, WE40;
• Westhoek – Midwest: Westkust&Polder, Westhoek, Midden-WVL, RITS;
• West Flanders-South: Regio Menen, Kortrijk-Kuurne-Harelbeke, Regio Waregem;
• Brussels: Bruzel.

Legal basis and procedure

The order is based on the decree of May 23, 2003, relating to the distribution into care regions and to the cooperation and programming of health and social assistance structures, as well as on Article 18 of the decree of April 26, 2019, relating to the organization of primary care, regional care platforms, and support for primary care providers. The Finance Inspectorate issued its opinion on June 9, 2026, and a request for an opinion was submitted to the Council of State on July 13, 2026, which decided not to issue an opinion.

Article 2 replaces the annex to the decree of 23 May 2003, which had itself been replaced by the Flemish Government decree of 24 May 2024, with the new annex attached to this decree. The latter notably incorporates a technical adaptation: the municipality of Neerpelt is replaced by Pelt, following the municipal merger of Neerpelt and Overpelt.

Derogation for Ardennes Flanders

For the regional care zone of Ardennes Flanders, the decree derogates from the minimum number of inhabitants required. This derogation is necessary to align as closely as possible with the reference regions without immediate impact on the existing care organization and the cooperation initiatives in place. The text also relies on the memorandum of understanding of 8 November 2023 concluded between the various authorities of Belgium for the deployment of the Interfederal Integrated Care Plan.

The decree was signed in Brussels on 17 July 2026 by the Minister-President of the Flemish Government, Mr. Diependaele, and by the Flemish Minister for Welfare, Poverty Reduction, Culture and Equal Opportunities, C. Gennez. Article 3 charges the Flemish ministers competent for care, development, persons with disabilities, social protection, care infrastructure, and poverty reduction policy with the execution of the decree, each as far as they are concerned.

Scope for Readers

This delimitation provides citizens and healthcare providers with a clear geographical framework for the organization of healthcare and social assistance in Flanders. By aligning regional care zones with reference regions, the Flemish Government facilitates cooperation between sectors and the progressive implementation of integrated care, in accordance with the commitments of the 2024-2029 government agreement.

Official source: Belgian Official Gazette, No. 200, 4 September 2026, p. 48181 — Decree of the Flemish Government of 17 July 2026 delimiting regional care zones and amending the annex to the decree of 23 May 2003 (ref. C − 2026/006403).