How to Get Your Qualifications Recognized in the Netherlands
If you’ve recently moved to the Netherlands or are planning to, you may be wondering how your foreign qualifications—like degrees or professional certifications—fit into the Dutch system. Whether you're looking for work or planning further studies, recognition of your credentials is essential.
Why Recognition Matters
The Dutch labor market and educational institutions often require proof that your qualifications meet local standards. Recognition may be necessary for jobs in healthcare, teaching, engineering, and other regulated professions.
Step-by-Step: Getting Recognition
- Identify the type of qualification: Academic or professional? Regulated or non-regulated?
- Apply through the right organization: The most common ones are:
- Nuffic: For academic diplomas and degrees (evaluation via Diploma Evaluation).
- BIG-register: For healthcare professionals (e.g., nurses, doctors).
- DUO: For school-leaving certificates and qualifications relevant to study.
- Submit documents: These usually include translations, original diplomas, transcripts, and possibly your CV.
- Wait for evaluation: This can take several weeks depending on the complexity of your application.
Regulated vs Non-Regulated Professions
Some careers require specific credentials and registration with a Dutch authority (regulated). Others may be assessed by employers directly (non-regulated). It's essential to find out which category your profession falls into before applying.
Helpful Tips
- Always provide officially translated documents if they're not in English, Dutch, German, or French.
- Keep digital copies of all submissions.
- Some sectors (like tech) are more flexible with international qualifications.
Support and Advice
If you're unsure where to begin, reach out to Nuffic or contact a career counselor in your municipality. Many expat centers in larger cities offer support with this process.
Conclusion
Getting your qualifications recognized in the Netherlands can open the door to new academic and professional opportunities. It takes time, but the payoff is well worth it.