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Buying a CPAP in Belgium Without the INAMI Convention: What You Need to Know
In Belgium, thousands of patients with sleep apnoea ask the same question: is it mandatory to go through the INAMI convention to get a CPAP, or can you simply purchase one freely? The answer is straightforward: it is entirely possible to buy a CPAP outside the conventional system. VivaRespire explains both pathways, their practical differences, and how to make the best choice for your situation in 2026.
Do You Need a Prescription to Buy a CPAP?
From a legal standpoint
In Belgium, a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure device) is not a medication under pharmaceutical law. It is a Class IIa medical device. Its sale is not subject to a strict prescription requirement, unlike prescription drugs. A licensed healthcare provider can sell you a CPAP without you having to present a mandatory medical prescription.
In practice at VivaRespire
VivaRespire sells CPAP devices without requiring a prior prescription. However, we strongly recommend that any purchase be preceded by a documented medical diagnosis. Here is why:
- Determining therapeutic pressure: without a polygraph or polysomnography, it is impossible to know the pressure level suited to your case. Auto-adjusting devices (AutoSet) partially bypass this issue by adapting dynamically, but a diagnosis remains the foundation.
- Ruling out central apnoea: central sleep apnoea (neurological in origin, not obstructive) cannot be treated with a standard CPAP. A BiPAP or ASV device is then required. Starting CPAP without a diagnosis can mask a more serious pathology.
- Identifying comorbidities: arterial hypertension, heart failure, type 2 diabetes - sleep apnoea is often associated with other conditions requiring comprehensive management.
The INAMI Convention Pathway: How Does It Work?
The INAMI convention (National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance) allows patients with severe obstructive sleep apnoea to access CPAP treatment with reduced financial participation. The procedure is as follows:
- Consultation with a pulmonologist or sleep specialist
- Polysomnography (PSG) mandatory in an accredited sleep centre
- Diagnosis confirming an AHI (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index) of 15 or more events per hour
- The sleep centre places a CPAP device at the patient's disposal (bruikleen): the patient never becomes the owner of the device
- Patient contribution: 7.50 EUR per month (0 EUR for BIM/OMNIO beneficiaries)
For more information about accredited centres, visit our page on sleep centres in Belgium.
The Out-of-Convention Pathway: Free Purchase at VivaRespire
Buying a CPAP directly is suited to several patient profiles. Here are the most common situations:
AHI below 15: moderate apnoea with symptoms
An AHI between 5 and 14 per hour corresponds to mild to moderate apnoea. The INAMI convention does not cover these patients. Yet with debilitating symptoms (excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, morning headaches, concentration difficulties), a doctor may prescribe a CPAP as an off-label treatment. In this case, direct purchase is the only available therapeutic solution. Visit our page on home sleep testing for screening options.
AHI of 15 or more: preference for ownership
Even if you are eligible for the INAMI convention, nothing prevents you from buying your own device. Reasons vary: full access to your data, free choice of model, immediate therapy start without administrative delays, and full ownership of the device.
Second device for travel
Many patients already covered by the INAMI convention want a second compact device for travel. The ResMed AirMini AutoSet is the ideal solution: the most compact CPAP on the market, compatible with the majority of ResMed masks.
Expats, cross-border workers and non-affiliates
Cross-border workers (particularly Dutch or French nationals working in Belgium), expats, and non-residents often do not have access to the Belgian INAMI convention. Direct purchase is then their only option. VivaRespire delivers across Belgium and offers a complete online service.
Comparison Table: INAMI Convention vs. Free Purchase
| Criterion | INAMI Convention | Free Purchase (VivaRespire) |
|---|---|---|
| Access condition | AHI >= 15, PSG in accredited centre | No mandatory legal requirement |
| Delay | Several weeks to several months | Delivery in 2 to 5 business days |
| Monthly cost | 7.50 EUR/month (0 EUR BIM/OMNIO) | 0 EUR after purchase (one-time payment) |
| Device ownership | No - loan arrangement (bruikleen) | Yes - full ownership |
| Choice of model | Limited to centre's devices | Free choice from full catalogue |
| Data access | Managed by the sleep centre | Direct access via app (myAir, etc.) |
| AHI < 15 | Not eligible | Accessible (off-label prescription) |
| Second travel device | Not covered | Available |
Return on Investment: INAMI Convention vs. Direct Purchase
Over a 5-year period, the calculation is straightforward:
- INAMI convention: 7.50 EUR x 60 months = 450 EUR - but you do not own the device. If the convention is suspended or if you move, you lose access to the device.
- Direct purchase (e.g. ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet): approximately 600 to 900 EUR depending on model, paid once. The device is yours permanently. Over 5 years, the extra cost is 150 to 450 EUR, for permanent ownership.
Over 7 or 8 years, direct purchase often becomes less expensive. And if your AHI is below 15, the convention is simply not accessible.
Auto-Adjusting CPAPs: The Best Option Without Detailed Prescription
If you are buying a CPAP without formal laboratory titration, an auto-adjusting device (APAP/AutoSet) is far preferable to a fixed-pressure device. Why?
- AutoSet CPAPs start at a low pressure (typically 4 cmH2O) and automatically increase pressure in real time when they detect apnoeas, hypopnoeas or snoring.
- They adapt to night-to-night variations (sleeping position, alcohol consumption, seasonal nasal congestion).
- A poorly calibrated fixed pressure can be uncomfortable or even ineffective - an AutoSet eliminates this risk.
Our Product Recommendations for Purchase Without Detailed Prescription
ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet
The world benchmark in auto-adjusting CPAP. Connected, silent (26 dBA), with integrated heated humidifier and myAir app to monitor your therapy daily. Ideal for a first purchase without formal titration.
View productPhilips DreamStation 2 Auto CPAP
Clean design, intuitive interface, integrated cellular module and optional humidifier. An excellent alternative to the ResMed range for users seeking a different choice.
View productResMed AirMini AutoSet - For Travel
The most compact CPAP on the market (300 g, fist-sized). Auto-adjusting, compatible with ResMed masks. Perfect as a second device or for frequent travellers.
View productLoewenstein Prisma SMART Auto
German precision technology with PrismaLAB algorithm. Suited to patients seeking a high-end European alternative to American brands.
View productWhich Doctor Should You Consult for a Diagnosis?
Several options are available to obtain a sleep apnoea diagnosis in Belgium:
- General practitioner: can prescribe a nocturnal ventilatory polygraph (ambulatory test) and refer to a specialist if necessary.
- Pulmonologist: respiratory specialist, can perform or interpret a polygraph and directly prescribe a CPAP.
- Accredited sleep centre: if a full polysomnography is desired. Visit our page on sleep centres in Belgium.
- Home testing: ambulatory screening devices are available. Visit our page on sleep apnoea screening tests.
For further reading, see our complete sleep apnoea guide and our CPAP FAQ.
Frequently asked questions about buying a CPAP without prescription
No, legally not. In Belgium, a CPAP is a Class IIa medical device, not a medication. Its sale is not subject to a mandatory prescription. At VivaRespire you can buy your device without presenting a medical prescription. However, we strongly recommend having a medical diagnosis of sleep apnoea established beforehand by an accredited sleep centre. This diagnosis confirms that CPAP is the right treatment for you and helps define the appropriate therapeutic pressure.
It is legally possible but not advisable. Without polygraphy or polysomnography it is impossible to know your actual AHI or to distinguish obstructive apnoea from central apnoea (which requires a different type of device, not a standard CPAP). A diagnosis also helps detect any comorbidities. Before any purchase, take the STOP-BANG questionnaire and consult your GP to have a home sleep test prescribed. This pathway remains fast and affordable in Belgium.
Three options in Belgium. Your GP can prescribe an ambulatory respiratory polygraph and, based on results, a CPAP. The pulmonologist can perform the exam and directly prescribe the device. The accredited sleep centre is necessary if a full polysomnography is desired, or if you target the INAMI convention. For the list of centres, see our sleep centres in Belgium page.
No. The INAMI convention does not work like a purchase reimbursement: it organises the provision (loan) of a device by an accredited sleep centre. The patient never becomes the owner under this system. When you buy at VivaRespire, the device is yours for life, but there is no mutual fund reimbursement. Some supplementary or hospital insurances provide a small medical device allowance: check with your mutual fund. See our CPAP reimbursement in Belgium page.
Auto-adjusting CPAPs (APAP or AutoSet) do not require a fixed pressure calibrated in a sleep lab. They start at low pressure (typically 4 cmH2O) and automatically increase in real time when they detect apnoeas, hypopnoeas or snoring. They adapt night after night to variations (position, alcohol, seasonal congestion). An auto device therefore suits a purchase without formal titration, provided you still have a confirmed obstructive apnoea diagnosis.
For a first purchase, we recommend reliable auto-adjusting devices: the ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet (world reference, myAir app, 26 dBA) or the Philips DreamStation 2 Auto. For a second travel device, the ResMed AirMini AutoSet is the most compact on the market (300 g). For a high-end European alternative, the Loewenstein Prisma SMART Auto.
Delivery in 2 to 5 working days in Belgium and most European countries. Orders placed on weekdays before 14h are prepared the same day when the product is in stock. You receive a confirmation email with tracking number upon shipment. For comparison, the INAMI convention pathway can take several weeks to several months between the initial consultation, the sleep centre examination and the device provision.
CPAP intolerance often comes from the mask rather than the device. Our advice: try a different mask type first (nasal, nasal pillow or full face depending on your case) as most comfort problems are resolved by changing masks. Also verify the settings (pressure ramp, EPR, humidification). For returns, see our delivery and returns page. Our customer service can also help you diagnose the issue before any return.
Yes, the two pathways are not mutually exclusive. If you bought your CPAP from us and want to join the INAMI convention later, it is possible provided you meet the criteria: AHI of 15 or more measured by polysomnography in an accredited sleep centre. You will keep your purchased device as a second CPAP (useful for travel) and benefit from the convention in parallel. See our CPAP reimbursement in Belgium page for eligibility conditions.