Recognition of professional qualifications
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 the November 14 2024.
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.
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The procedure in 11 steps
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If you have not already done so, first check via the Advice Wizard whether the procedure for recognition of professional qualifications applies to your situation.
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It is important that you properly prepare your application to ensure that your application is processed quickly. Consequently, you should carefully read the section entitled Preparing the application. In addition to this we organise general information meetings about this procedure a number of times per year.
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Have you made all the necessary preparations? Then you can start your online application. Log in to 'mijn.bigregister.nl' (in Dutch). Log in with your DigiD (anyone with a citizen service number (BSN) can apply for DigiD) or with your BIG login (if you cannot apply for DigiD yet ).
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Answer all the questions. At the end of your application you will also receive an overview of the documents (evidence) that you must submit. A brief explanation is provided with each required piece of evidence.
Occupation-specific appendix
For some professions there is an additional questionnaire, this is called the profession-specific appendix (in Dutch). Is there an additional profession-specific appendix for your profession? Then you must download and fill it in separately. You can upload this appendix in your online application.
You will receive all messages about your application in your digital file on 'My BIG register'.
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With your application you must submit various mandatory documents (evidence). After filling in the questions in the online form, you will see a personal overview of the (mandatory) documents that you must submit with your application with an explanation. Depending on the type of document and, for example, the type of certification, some documents can be uploaded directly and other documents must be send by post. You will also receive information about this in the overview.
Your application can only be processed once we have received all required documents. If you encounter problems obtaining certain documents or if anything is unclear, please contact us.
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Have you answered all the questions and collected all the documents? And have you uploaded the documents where this is possible? Then you can submit the application via the application button.
Via 'mijn.bigregister.nl' you can always find the overview of documents that you still have to send by post. You can also see which documents you have already submitted online and you can follow the status of your application here.
If there are documents missing or if there additional documents are required, you will be notified. -
The Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates [Commissie Buitenlands Gediplomeerden Volksgezondheid] (CBGV) is an independent commission that assesses your application. When your application is complete, and if the CBGV considers it necessary, we will submit your qualification to the Dutch Organisation for Internationalisation in Education (Nuffic) or the Foundation for Cooperation on Vocational Education, Training and Labour Market [Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven] (SBB). After that the CBGV will advise on the application. Read more about the Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates.
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After we have received the CBGV's advice, we will first send you a message explaining to you which decision we intend to take. This is referred to as the intended decision. This decision may be positive or negative. The commission may also indicate that they can only recognise your qualification after you have successfully completed an adaptation internship or have submitted a proof of competence. You can read more about the decision on the 'Assessment and decision' page.
You will receive all messages about your application, including the decision, via your digital file on 'My BIG-register'. For more information go to 'Preparing the application'.
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If you do not agree with the decision, you 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 this on the page 'Objections and applications for review'.
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The positive decision you have received is your acknowledgement, so keep this document safe.
Recognition of specialization
If you have indicated in the application that you also want to have your foreign specialization recognized, we will also send the positive decision to the specialist registration committee of your specialization. This committee will then contact you. Read more about recognition of specialization .
Are you allowed to work or not yet?
For the following professions, you must first be included in the BIG register before you are allowed to work in the Netherlands. BIG registration is required for: pharmacists, doctors, physiotherapists, registered dental hygienists, healthcare psychologists, clinical technologists, psychotherapists, physician assistants, dentists, midwives, nurses and general orthopedagogues. Read more in step 10.
Other professions
If you have recognition for one of the other professions , you are now allowed to work in the Netherlands with your recognized diploma.
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Did you indicate in your application that you also want to apply for your BIG registration immediately after the recognition of your diploma? Then you do not need to submit an application yourself. You will receive a message from us about the next steps. Under 'BIG registration with a recognised diploma' you can read, among other things, which requirements you must meet and which mandatory documents (evidence) you must submit.
Mandatory documents
For your BIG registration you must provide proof of Dutch language proficiency, among other things . You must also provide certain statements from abroad. Read the information about this on BIG registration with a recognized diploma carefully.
Apply for documents from abroad immediately as soon as you know that you will be recognized. Sometimes this takes a lot of time.
Not specified?
If you did not indicate in your application that you also want to apply for BIG registration, but you do want this now? Then you can apply for your BIG registration yourself via the BIG registration application form (in Dutch).
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Do you not want to apply online?
Then download the general application form (fillable PDF, in dutch). If there is a profession-specific appendix for your profession, then also fill this in completely. You send the application form with all required documents to us by post. Please note that with this application you will not see a personal overview of the documents to be submitted in your digital file. You can read which documents you must submit on the page 'explanation of documents to be submitted'.