This procedure generally applies if you have obtained a diploma in an EU member state or Switzerland, but which is not automatically recognized. You will probably have to make preparations before you can start with the application. Therefore, read the step-by-step plan below carefully, so that you know what to expect. After obtaining a recognition of professional qualifications it is possible, for certain professions, to apply for a BIG-registration (see step 11).
Last updated on May 15 2025.
The processing of your application starts when we have received your application and all required documents. Processing takes a maximum of 12 weeks. If necessary, this can be extended by 1 month.
Information about recognition of foreign diploma's is also available in Dutch.
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Step by step plan
You can expand each step to see information about that step.
Step-by-step plan for the recognition of professional qualifications
You can expand each step for information about that step. The processing of your application begins once we have received your application and all required documents. This takes a maximum of 13 weeks. If necessary, this can be extended by 1 month.
If you have not already done so, first check via the advice guide whether the procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications applies to your situation.
For a quick processing of your application, it is important that you prepare it well. Therefore, please read the section on preparing the application carefully. Do you have any questions or is anything unclear? Then make an appointment for one of our consultation hours.
Every applicant must submit various mandatory documents (supporting evidence) with the application. Sometimes additional supplementary documents are required. These often involve documents from abroad. Wait to submit your application until you have received all the necessary documents. This will prevent your application from being unnecessarily delayed.
Go to the overview of documents you need to submit.
Please note! The documents are very important for your application. Do you have any questions or are you unsure about anything? Then make an appointment for one of our consultation hours.
Are your preparations in order? Then log in to 'mijn.bigregister.nl' to start your application. You log in with your DigiD (anyone with a citizen service number (BSN) can apply for a DigiD) or with your BIG login (if you cannot apply for a DigiD yet). If you do not have a login method yet, please request one first.
Personal online file and messages
The first time you log in, a personal online file will be created for you. You will also receive all messages regarding your application here. You will receive an email notification when a message is ready for you.
Have you made all the necessary preparations? Then you can start the application. You can complete your application entirely online via 'mijn.bigregister.nl'. During the application, you will be asked various questions about, among other things, your vocational training, any additional training, and work experience.
Complete profession-specific appendix
For some professions, there is an additional questionnaire, referred to as the profession-specific appendix. Does this apply to your profession? If so, you must download and complete the appendix separately. You can upload the completed additional questionnaire directly with your online application.
To the overview of the professions and the additional attachments.
Important! Do not submit the application yet if you do not have all the documents. Your unsubmitted application and everything you have added will be retained for 6 months.
At the end of your application, you will receive an overview of the documents (supporting evidence) you need to submit. A brief explanation is provided for each document. Some documents can be uploaded directly, while others must be sent by post. You will also receive information about this in the overview.
If you encounter problems obtaining certain documents or if anything is unclear, please make an appointment for one of the consultation hours.
Have you answered all questions and collected all documents? And have you uploaded the documents where possible? Then submit the application.
Overview of documents
In your online file, you can view documents that you still need to submit. You can also see which documents you have already submitted (online) and track the status of your application.
If any documents are missing or if additional documents are required, you will be notified.
The Committee for Foreign Healthcare Graduates (CBGV) is an independent committee that assesses your application. If your application is complete and the CBGV deems it necessary, we will also submit your diploma to Nuffic or the Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education and the Business Community (SBB). Subsequently, the CBGV provides advice on the application. Read more about the Committee for Foreign Healthcare Graduates.
After we have received the advice from the CBGV, you will receive a message from us informing you of the decision we intend to make. This may be positive or negative. It is also possible that the committee indicates that it can only recognize your diploma after you have successfully completed an adaptation internship or taken a practical skills test. Read more about the decision on the 'Assessment and decision' page.
Note: You will receive all messages regarding your application, including the decision, via your digital file on 'mijn.bigregister.nl'. Read more about this under 'Preparing application'.
You then have 2 weeks to respond. If you do not respond, you will receive the final decision after these 2 weeks. You can still object to the final decision.
Read more about 'Objection and appeal'.
If you have received a positive decision, this is your recognition (Recognition of professional qualifications). You can also find the document in your file on mijn.bigregister.nl.
Recognition of specialization?
If you indicated in the application that you also wish to have your specialty obtained abroad recognized, we will forward the positive decision to the Specialist Registration Committee for your specialty. This committee will then contact you.
Whether you are allowed to work in your profession after the recognition of your diploma depends on your profession. For certain professions, you must first be registered in the BIG register before you are allowed to work in the Netherlands.
BIG registration is required for: pharmacists, doctors, physiotherapists, dental hygienists, healthcare psychologists, clinical technologists, psychotherapists, physicians assistants , dentists, midwives, nurses and generalist remedial educators.
Other professions
If you hold recognition for one of the other professions, you may work in your profession in the Netherlands after receiving your recognition.
Go to 'Register with a recognized diploma'. Here you can read what the requirements are, what you need to do, and which documents you must submit. You must provide, among other things, proof of Dutch language proficiency and various declarations from abroad.
Important! Request the necessary documents from abroad immediately as soon as you know that you will be recognized. Sometimes this takes a lot of time.
Do you not want to apply online?
Please request the general application form (fillable PDF) from our customer contact center. If there is a profession-specific appendix (in Dutch) for your profession, please complete this form also. You send the application form, the additional appendix and all required documents together by post to the address on the application form.
With this method of requesting, you will not see a personal overview of documents to be submitted in your digital file. Read on the 'explanation of documents to be supplied' page which documents you must supply.