Check whether you can apply for recognition first! You can do this by answering the questions in the guidance tool. |
You do not have apply with NARIC-Vlaanderen if:
- You want to study at an educational institution in Flanders.
- You want to pursue a regulated profession with a diploma obtained within the EEA.
- Your diploma is automatically equivalent to a Flemish diploma.
1. You want to study at an educational institution in Flanders
Contact the educational institution of your choice directly. You do not need a recognition from NARIC-Vlaanderen.
2. You want to pursue a regulated profession with a diploma obtained within the EEA
Have you obtained a diploma in the European Economic Area (EEA) that gives you the right to pursue a regulated profession in your home country? In many cases you can apply directly with the relevant authorities for access to the profession via professional recognition. In this case, you do not have to initiate a recognition procedure with NARIC-Vlaanderen.
Access to or practice of a regulated or protected profession is determined by law. The law stipulates that, to practice these professions, you must have a certain diploma. For example, the professions of doctor, responsible general nurse, midwife, pharmacist, veterinary surgeon and dentist are regulated in all member states of the EEA and Switzerland.
Professional recognition involves checking whether a European directive on access to regulated professions applies to a foreign diploma. If the European directive applies, you will be granted permission to practise the profession.
To qualify for the application of European Directive 2013/55/EU, you must meet these conditions:
- You obtained your diploma within the EEA.
- Your diploma gives access to a regulated profession in your country of origin.
- You have the nationality of a country within the EEA (not every relevant authority requires this condition).
- The profession is a regulated profession in Belgium.
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There are some exceptions to these conditions: You do meet the nationality condition if:
You do meet the condition related to the country of the diploma if:
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Do you meet these requirements?
Contact the relevant authority to apply for professional recognition. Each authority has its own procedure.
Do you not meet the requirements?
You cannot apply for professional recognition. However, you can apply for recognition of your diploma from NARIC-Vlaanderen. Please note: for many regulated professions (for example: nurses, doctors ...), you still have to apply for admission to the profession from the competent authority after the recognition of NARIC-Vlaanderen.
Where can you go for professional recognition?
View the list of authorities for professional accreditation.
3. Your diploma is automatically equivalent to a Flemish diploma
Some foreign diplomas are automatically recognised in Flanders. For these diplomas, you do not have to start a recognition procedure with NARIC-Vlaanderen because the recognition is fixed in legislation.
What should you do if your diploma is automatically recognised?
With the recognition you can directly apply with employers. If the employer does not know about this automatic recognition, you can refer to the legislation. Please find the different pieces of legislation below.
Which diplomas are automatically recognised?
Select the country where you obtained your diploma:
- The Netherlands
- Luxembourg
- International qualifications: International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, European University Institute Firenze
- Belgium: federal diplomas and diplomas from other communities