Want to work in healthcare in the Netherlands with a foreign medical degree? Here’s how to get it recognized.
In this post, I’ll walk you through all the necessary steps to get your professional diploma recognized in this country.
And if you want to learn Dutch for free from scratch, check out this article where I share the 10 best ways to learn the language (including tips and study materials): LEARN DUTCH FOR FREE AND EASILY
I also share my resource groups where I’ve stored over 150 files including audio, PDFs, and summaries to help you learn Dutch completely free:
📁 Free Dutch Learning Materials
First, you should know that Health Professions in the Netherlands are considered “regulated professions,” which means you need a BIG-register number to practice. To obtain it, all your documentation must be evaluated by the Dutch Ministry of Health, which will decide on the recognition of your professional career. For doctors, nurses, and dentists, passing medical knowledge exams is also required.
Professions that require BIG registration: Pharmacist, medical doctor, physiotherapist, registered dental hygienist, healthcare psychologist, clinical technologist, generalist pedagogue, physician assistant, psychotherapist, dentist, nurse, and midwife.
Here’s a summary of the 6 essential steps to become a licensed medical professional in the Netherlands. I explain each one in the following video:
🔹 Step 1: Know English and start learning Dutch
▶️ Learn Dutch – Top 10 Free Resources (Activate English subtitles)
🔹 Step 2: Apply for the Certificate of Professional Competence, if applicable
🌐 BIG Register Application
🔹 Step 3: Take the AKV test (no longer required from 2024)
🌐 AKV Test Info
🔹 Step 4: Take the BI exam (for doctors, nurses, and dentists – includes 3 exams: theoretical and practical)
Here’s all the study material you’ll need to prepare:
👉 How to Prepare for the BIG Register Exam
I’ve included the most recommended books for passing the Medicine exams — and you can get them with a 10% discount through this link:
👉 Compendium Geneeskunde – 10% off
🔹 Step 5: Wait for the committee’s decision (based on your exam results and professional experience)
🔹 Step 6: Obtain your BIG registration (after receiving a positive decision from the evaluation committee). Congratulations! You are now legally allowed to work without limitations in the Netherlands.
For more information and to connect with other professionals going through the recognition process, join my Facebook group:
👥 Healthcare Professionals in the Netherlands (FB Group)
There, you’ll also find a WhatsApp group for foreign doctors.
