Apply for Automatic recognition with BIG registration
Doctors, pharmacists, dentists, midwives and nurses can be registered directly in the BIG register with certain qualifications obtained in Europe. On this page you will find the step-by-step plan for going through the procedure for automatic recognition.
Last updated on the march 3rd 2024
With the procedure for 'Automatic recognition with BIG registration', the recognition of your foreign diploma and your request for registration in the BIG register are handled in one procedure. It is also possible to apply for recognition alone. You then follow a slightly different procedure. Always follow the Advice Wizard first to find out whether automatic recognition applies to you and your situation.
Information about recognition of foreign diploma's is also available in Dutch.
Step by step plan
You can expand each step to see information about that step.
For automatic recognition with direct enrolment you must fulfil the three following conditions:
You obtained your qualification in one of the EEA countries or Switzerland for one of these five professions: doctor, pharmacist, dentist, midwife or nurse;
You have proof of Dutch language proficiency at the right level (required for BIG registration).
Did you obtain your qualification five or more years ago?
The procedure will be slightly different and you will have to submit additional documents. You can read more at Qualification older than five years.
Recognition of a designated diploma without direct BIG registration?
Then read the information at the bottom of this webpage.
It is important that you properly prepare your application to ensure that your application is processed quickly. You should therefore start by reading the section entitled Preparing the application. There you will find, among other things, an overview of the documents which you have to submit and information about the required Dutch language proficiency.
Have you made all the necessary preparations? You should then log in at 'Mijn BIG-register' [in Dutch] with your DigiD. If you do not have a DigiD yet, apply for an account via DigiD. Anyone who has a citizen service number (BSN) can apply for a DigiD. Don’t you have a BSN (yet), for example because you (still) live abroad? Then you can log in with a BIG login. You can apply for a BIG-login on this website. When you log in for the first time, a personal online file is also created for you.
The costs are € 85,-. At the end of your application you can pay directly using DigiD. You can also transfer the amount later. There may be additional costs.
You will be sent your completed form by email directly after the digital application has been completed. Submit the application form along with the required documents (evidence). You can upload certain documents using the upload tool in 'Mijn BIG-register'. You can see for which documents this is possible in the clarifying notes entitled ‘Aanleveren van documenten’ [in Dutch]. Documents that you are not allowed to upload must be sent by post along with the application form.
Logged in with DigiD: printing not necessary
You will then no longer have to send the completed form. Only send the requested documents (evidence) by post. As soon as your documents have arrived and been processed, you will be able to see them in 'Mijn BIG-register' [in Dutch].
Postal address
CIBG
BIG register
P.O. Box 3173
6401 DR Heerlen
The Netherlands
You will be notified if any documents are missing.
Once your application, the documents and the payment have been received, we will assess your application. You will be notified of the (intended) decision on your application within three months. If we approve your application, your qualification will be recognised and you will be added to the BIG register. We will publish your name, profession and any specialism via this website. This information will be accessible to anybody who searches for it.
If your application is rejected and you do not agree, you will be able to object to this. You can read about how to do this in the decision and on the page entitled: Objections.
Healthcare providers with a BIG registration must re-register every 5 years. You will receive a first call for re-registration approximately 6 months before your final re-registration date. Your final re-registration date (UHD) is stated in the decision you will receive if your application is assessed positively.
