ready. You are currently on: Recognition of equivalence of a foreign diploma (obtained in the EEA or Switzerland) for a regulated profession or professional title in Flanders

Recognition of equivalence of a foreign diploma (obtained in the EEA or Switzerland) for a regulated profession or professional title in Flanders

If you want to practise a or work using a  in Flanders with a foreign diploma, you need to have that diploma recognised.

This page explains where you should apply for recognition if you obtained your degree in the EEA or Switzerland.

Do you hold a foreign diploma?

Do you want to work in Flanders (or with a Flemish employer in Brussels)?

Answer the questions in the application wizard to find out what you need to do.

Conditions

Did you obtain this diploma in the or Switzerland, and does it grant access to a regulated profession in your home country? If so, and if you meet the conditions below, you can apply for professional recognition of your diploma from the competent authorities.

  • Stap 1

    You obtained your degree in the EEA or Switzerland

    Your diploma also falls under this category if:

    • you obtained the diploma outside the EEA but have had it recognised in another EEA country
    • AND you have practised the regulated profession in that EEA country for at least 3 years.
  • Stap 2

    You have the nationality of a country within the EEA or Switzerland

    You also meet the nationality requirement if you:

    • are related to someone of EEA nationality exercising their right to free movement of persons
    • are in possession of a blue card
    • are a refugee and obtained your degree within the EEA
    • have dual nationality where at least one of the nationalities is an EEA nationality.
  • Stap 3

    Your degree grants access to a regulated profession in your country of origin

  • Stap 4

    The profession is a regulated profession in Belgium

      • Pharmacist: hospital pharmacist
      • Doctor: general practitioner and other specialist
      • Dentist: general dentist, periodontists and orthodontists
      • Physiotherapist
      • Clinical psychologist
      • Clinical Special needs education
      • Nurse: first the basic title and then the special professional titles and special professional competences competencies (specialisations) that they can acquire
      • Midwife
      • Nurse assistant
      Paramedical professions
      • Audiologist
      • Audiometric technician
      • Orthoptist
      • Optometrist
      • Pharmaceutical-technical assistant (pharmacy assistant) 2 new titels from the 1st of January 2025
        • pharmacist-assistant focused on the public pharmacy
        • pharmacist-assistant focused on the hospital pharmacy
      • Dietician
      • Occupational therapist
      • Speech and language therapist
      • Medical laboratory technician
      • Dental hygienist
      • Podiatrist
      • Radiographer/radiotherapist
      • Practice assistant (from the 1st of January 2025)
    • Architect - Accountant - Accountant specialising in taxes - Company auditor - Corporate lawyer - Driving instructor or driving examiner - Expert surveyor - Lawyer - Notary - Patent attorney - Private investigator - Psychologist - Real estate agent - Ship’s crew - Tax advisor - Transport commissioner - Transport broker - Veterinarian

If you do not meet the above conditions, you should apply to NARIC-Vlaanderen for recognition of equivalence of your diploma.

Procedures

Do you meet the above conditions?

If so, follow the appropriate procedure below for professions in education, healthcare or other regulated areas.