Below you will find information and actions that are necessary for applying for a BIG registration with a Dutch professional diploma. The processing of the application takes in many cases less than 3 weeks.
If you obtained your diploma 5 years or more ago, the procedure is slightly different. Read more under 'Diploma older than 5 years'.
BIG registration
To register in the BIG register, you must meet the following conditions:
- You have a valid professional diploma for the profession for which you wish to register;
- You may practice your profession without restrictions;
- You are not under supervision (curatorship) due to a physical or mental issue.
- You are proficient in the Dutch language
For a quick processing, good preparation is half the battle. A valid professional diploma is always required for a BIG registration. Depending on your situation, additional documents may also be required. Under 'prepare application' you can read, among other things, in which situations you must submit which additional documents.
You log in to the online application form with your DigiD. When you log in for the first time, a personal online file is also created for you. If you do not have a DigiD yet, request one via DigiD. Anyone who has a Citizen Service Number (BSN) can apply for DigiD. By logging in with DigiD, data from My diplomas from DUO and the BRP are also retrieved.
Do you not (yet) have a BSN, because you live (still) abroad, for example? Then you can log in with a BIG login. You can request this on this site.
You fill in all the questions in the online application form. It will take you about five minutes to fill in.
Select your diploma
If your diploma is included in My diplomas of DUO and you are logged in with DigiD, you can select your diploma directly in the application form. You do not need to send a certified copy of the diploma by post. Are you unable to select your diploma? Then it is not (yet) in My diplomas. You will then receive a notification in the application form with an explanation of your options.
At the end of the application you will receive a confirmation with a copy of your completed form.
The costs are €85,-. At the end of your application you can pay directly with iDeal. You can also transfer the amount yourself later.
Important! Your application will only be processed once payment has been received.
At the end of the application it is stated whether any (additional) documents are required in your situation. If you do not need to provide any documents, you can skip this step.
Some documents may be uploaded via the upload tool in 'My BIG register'. In the explanation 'Submitting documents' you can see for which documents this is possible.
- Logged in with DigiD?
You do not need to send the copy of the form. You only provide the required additional documents if this applies to you. - Logged in with BIG login?
Then print the copy of the form that you receive with the confirmation. Sign it and send the signed copy with the required documents by post.
If any documents are missing from your application, you will be notified.
Did you have to submit documents with your application? Then these will be visible in your digital file 'My-BIG-register' as soon as your documents have arrived and been processed. In 'My-BIG-register' you will also find a copy of all correspondence that you have received from us by email and/or by post. In addition, you can see the status of your application here.
Have you applied with a recently obtained Dutch diploma and is your diploma in 'My diplomas' of DUO? Then your application can often be processed fully automatically by the system. After submitting the online application and paying via Ideal, you will be registered in the BIG register immediately. Your decision will then be ready for you immediately in your online file at 'mijn.bigregister.nl'.
When does it take longer?
Do you need to provide additional documents in your situation? Then your application will be assessed by an employee after payment has been received. After the assessment, you will receive a decision. In most cases, you will receive a message within three weeks. Sometimes the processing time is longer.
If your application has been approved and you have received the positive decision, you are BIG-registered. Your name, profession and any specialism will be made public via the BIG register website, where everyone can look it up.
Make sure your BIG number is easy to find and visible for healthcare users. This way they always know that they are dealing with an authorized healthcare provider.
On this website you will find more information about, among other things, the rights and obligations of a BIG registration, stating your specialisation in your registration and about the mandatory re-registration every five years .
If your application is rejected, you will receive a negative decision. If you do not agree with this, you can appeal against it. You can read how to do this in the decision and on the webpage 'Objection and appeal'.