Working abroad with a Dutch diploma
Do you have a Dutch diploma and do you want to work abroad? Check whether your profession is regulated there.
Checking whether your profession is regulated
Do you want to study abroad with a Dutch diploma? First check whether your profession is a regulated profession in that country. Choose what applies to you and follow the instructions below:
- You want to work in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
- You want to work outside the EU
Your profession is regulated in the EU. What to do next?
You have seen that your profession is regulated in the EU or in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. So, you have to ask permission to work here. This means you have to apply for professional recognition. Below, we explain how you can apply for professional recognition.
| Profession | What do you need to apply for? |
|---|---|
| Architect | Attestation from the Register of Architects |
| Dentist | Certificate of Professional Status (CCPS) |
| Doctor | Certificate of Professional Status (CCPS) |
| Midwife | Certificate of Professional Status (CCPS) |
| Mountain guide | European Professional Card (EPC) |
| Nurse | European Professional Card (EPC) |
| Pharmacist | European Professional Card (EPC) |
| Physiotherapist | European Professional Card (EPC) |
| Real estate agent | European Professional Card (EPC) |
| Teacher | Statement of Teaching Qualification from DUO. Request this by sending an email to diplomadiensten@duo.nl. |
| Veterinarian | Certificate of Professional Status (CCPS) |
| Other professions (higher education level) | AC declaration from us (Nuffic) |
| Other professions (MBO level) | AC declaration from SBB (in Dutch only) |
Your profession is regulated outside the EU. What to do next?
- Ask the ENIC-NARIC or the ministry of education in that country what you need to do to work in your profession.
- It could be useful to apply for a diploma description. For example, when the foreign employer is not sure what your Dutch diploma is worth.
Your profession is not regulated. What to do next?
Your profession is not regulated in the country where you want to work. This means you can usually work without permission (if you do not need a work permit or visa).
Your employer may ask for additional documents. For example, does your employer want to know what your diploma is worth there? In that case, it could be useful to apply for a diploma description.
Want to know more?
Do you still have questions about working abroad with a Dutch diploma? Please contact us.
Nuffic is the Assistance Centre for Professional Recognition (AC) in the Netherlands. As AC, we provide information to people who want to work in a regulated profession in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
Do you have complaints about the recognition of your diploma?
Are you experiencing issues with the recognition of your diploma for a regulated profession in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland? Contact Solvit, the European Commission’s complaints office.
Solvit can help you if you think a government agency in another EU country is not respecting your EU rights.