Working in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma

Do you want to use your foreign diploma to work in the Netherlands? Take these steps to check whether your profession is a regulated profession i in the Netherlands:

1. Look up your profession in the European Commission database:
   • Under 'Country of Qualification', select the country of your diploma.
   • Under 'Host Country', select 'Netherlands'.
   • Under 'Profession', type the profession you want to carry out.
   • Click on 'Refine Results'.
2. Is your profession listed under 'In the host country'? In that case, it is a regulated profession.
3. Does it say 'This profession is not regulated in the country you want to practice' mentioned under 'In the host country'? In that case, the profession probably is not regulated. If you are not sure, please contact us.

You have found in the database that your profession is regulated. Follow these steps:

1. Find out which organisation verifies the requirements for this profession

• Under 'In the host country', click on the name of the Dutch profession.
• Under 'Page contents', click on ‘Competent Authorities’. Here you will find which organisation verifies the requirements for this profession. This kind of organisation is referred to as the ‘competent authority’.

2. Find out how to meet the requirements

Contact the competent authority to ask how you can meet the profession’s requirements:

• How do you get permission to carry out your profession?
• What are the rules if you are only looking for temporary work?

You have found in the database that your profession is not regulated in the Netherlands. This means you are allowed to carry out the profession in the Netherlands. You can work in this job.

Please note: sometimes you will need a work or residence permit; see the central government’s website (in Dutch): Can I work in the Netherlands as a foreign employee?

Do you want to know what your diploma is worth in the Netherlands?

In our overview of education systems, find the country in which you received your diploma. We describe the diplomas we often get asked about for each country, and we also list the Dutch diplomas that we compare them to.

Does your employer want a credential evaluation?

Your employer can request a credential evaluation. The IDW website explains how to apply for one. Please note: you have to pay for a credential evaluation. It is only free of charge if you need to take the Dutch integration ('inburgering' exams.

In case of any problems around the recognition of your diploma for a regulated profession in the Netherlands, contact Solvit, the European Commission’s complaints office.

Solvit can help you if you think the Dutch government is not respecting EU law.

Nuffic is the Assistance Centre for Professional Recognition (AC) in the Netherlands. Each EU country has an assistance centre for professional recognition.

As an assistance centre, our task is to provide information to people who want to work in a regulated profession in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

If you have any further questions about working in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma, please contact us.

If you want to know more about working in the Netherlands, you can also consult the website Welcome to NL.