Recognising qualifications in Pays-Bas

Determine whether your profession is regulated

Check the Dutch government's regulated-professions portal to see whether your profession requires a licence or registration before you can practise in the Netherlands. If the profession is regulated, identify the governing body; if it is unregulated, proceed directly to a Nuffic IDW evaluation.

For healthcare professions: apply to the BIG register

Submit a BIG registration application via the online portal at bigregister.nl. You will need: certified copies of your degree and diploma, evidence of language proficiency (Dutch B2 is required for patient-facing roles), proof of work experience, and an identity document. The BIG register has a legal processing deadline of 8 weeks for complete applications.

For other regulated professions: contact the relevant professional body

Each regulated profession outside healthcare has its own governing body with a separate recognition procedure. For architecture, apply to Bureau Architectenregister. For law, contact the Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten (note: non-EU lawyers undergo a national-only recognition process; EU lawyers may register under the EU Lawyers Directive). For accountancy, contact NBA.

For unregulated professions: request a Nuffic IDW credential evaluation

Apply for an Internationaal Diplomawaardering (IDW) from Nuffic. Submit your diploma, transcripts, and a certified translation if the documents are not in Dutch, English, French, or German. The IDW produces a statement comparing your qualification to the Dutch equivalent level (e.g., bachelor's, master's). Most Dutch employers in unregulated fields request an IDW or equivalent.

Await the assessment decision

The BIG register has a statutory 8-week processing deadline for complete healthcare applications. Nuffic IDW evaluations typically take 4–8 weeks. Other professional bodies publish their own timelines. If your application is incomplete, the clock restarts after you supply the missing documents.

Receive your BIG registration number or recognition decision

Successful healthcare applicants receive a BIG registration number that can be verified publicly in the BIG register online. Nuffic IDW applicants receive a written evaluation statement. Other professional bodies issue a recognition certificate or registration confirmation. If gaps are identified — for example, missing competences — you may be required to complete a bridging programme or sit an aptitude test before registration is granted.