CPAP Prescription Belgium - Buy Without INAMI

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:

1. Consultation with a pulmonologist or sleep specialist
2. Polysomnography (PSG) mandatory in an accredited sleep centre
3. Diagnosis confirming an AHI (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index) of 15 or more events per hour
4. The sleep centre places a CPAP device at the patient's disposal (bruikleen): the patient never becomes the owner of the device
5. 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

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

Which 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.