Foreign Diploma Recognition in Netherlands (2026 Updated)
Complete Nuffic/IDW, BIG Register, and professional credential evaluation guide for expats
Why this process confuses everyone: Netherlands has three separate credential evaluation systems (Nuffic/IDW for general employment, BIG for healthcare, professional associations for regulated jobs). Your diploma might be evaluated differently depending on whether you're working vs. studying, your profession, and your country of origin.
This guide untangles the systems with verified 2026 timelines. Critical fact: Official processing is "up to 4 months" but reality from 2025 reports shows 6-10 weeks average for complete applications. If you're a professional moving from Asia, this guide addresses your specific situation.
Complete guide contents
Part 0: Understanding Dutch education levels (Critical first step)
Before you can understand whether your diploma needs evaluation, you must understand Dutch education levels. Your evaluation will determine: "Your foreign [degree name] is equivalent to Dutch [WO/HBO/MBO]"
Dutch qualification framework
| Level | Name | Duration | Equivalent | Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBO | Vocational qualification | 2-4 years | High school + vocational training | Entry-level vocational |
| HBO | Applied Sciences/Polytechnic | 4 years | Bachelor's degree, applied focus | Intermediate higher education |
| WO | Research University | 3-4 years | Bachelor's degree, research focus | Higher education, research-oriented |
| WO Master | Master's degree | 1-2 years | Graduate degree | Advanced qualification |
Why this matters
- • Master's program in Netherlands? Requires WO-level bachelor (HBO not sufficient)
- • Professional roles? Some specify "WO-level minimum" or "HBO-level minimum"
- • Salary scales? Some employers pay different rates for WO vs. HBO (check salary negotiation guide)
- • Further study? PhD programs typically require WO degree only
Part 1: The three systems explained (Stop confusing them)
System 1: General employment credential evaluation (Nuffic/IDW)
When you need it:
General employment, professional credibility, study advancement
What it is:
Formal comparison of your foreign diploma to Dutch education levels
Where to apply:
IDW.nl (International Diploma Evaluation)
Processing time:
- • Official: Up to 4 months (13 weeks)
- • Verified reality (Reddit 2025): 2-6 weeks if expedited, 6-16 weeks standard (highly variable)
- • Varies by: Completeness of application, whether documents arrive correctly, current workload
Cost:
- • Regular evaluation: €150-200
- • Expedited: €300 (may or may not be faster; IDW doesn't prioritize despite fee)
Output:
Digital credential evaluation (PDF, available for 3 years) showing: Your name, date of birth, education program completed, program length, country and institution, Dutch equivalent level (WO/HBO/MBO)
Valid for:
Employment, further education, general professional recognition
System 2: Healthcare professional registration (BIG Register)
When you need it:
If you're doctor, nurse, dentist, midwife, physiotherapist, psychologist, or other licensed healthcare profession
What it is:
Three-part process = credential evaluation + language proficiency + BIG registration
Where to apply:
BIG-register.nl (Beroepen in de Individuele Gezondheidszorg)
Processing time:
- • Official: Unspecified (varies by procedure type)
- • Reality (Reddit 2025): 6-12 weeks for automatic EU recognition; 12-20 weeks for competency evaluation for non-EU
- • Much slower if language test needed (add 8-12 weeks)
Cost:
- • BIG registration fee: €88 (one-time)
- • Language proficiency exam: €500-1,000 (if needed)
- • Additional coursework (if required): €0-10,000+ depending on gaps
Output:
Official BIG registration (legal requirement to practice)
Valid for:
Only registered healthcare professions; must re-register if changing sectors
System 3: Professional association registration (Regulated professions)
When you need it:
Lawyer, engineer, architect, surveyor, or other regulated profession
What it is:
Professional-specific evaluation (not generic)
Where to apply:
- • Lawyers: Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten (NOvA)
- • Engineers: Royal Institution of Dutch Engineers (KIVI NIRIA)
- • Architects: Architects Association
- • Check our immigration lawyers guide for legal profession specifics
Processing time:
Varies by profession (6 weeks to 6 months)
Cost:
Professional-specific fees (€500-2,000 typically)
Output:
Professional license (legal requirement to work in profession)
Part 2: Do you even NEED credential evaluation? (Decision tree)
Step 1: Check your profession
Is your job a regulated profession?
- • Go to: European Commission database (EURES)
- • Search: "Netherlands" + your profession
- • If listed: Yes, it's regulated → Use System 2 or 3
- • If not listed: No, it's not regulated → Can skip evaluation (BUT read below)
Step 2: Does your employer require it?
Many employers don't require formal evaluation. They accept:
- • Your diploma + transcript (original or certified copy)
- • Reference from previous employer
- • Work history showing competence
✓ You can skip evaluation if:
- • Employer explicitly says "not needed"
- • You can demonstrate competence through work history
- • Non-regulated profession
⚠ You should get evaluation if:
- • Employer requests it (yes, do it)
- • You're applying to further education (master's programs require it)
- • Your diploma is from non-English-speaking country (helps credibility)
- • You anticipate job searching in Netherlands long-term (valuable document)
Step 3: Country verification (Quick check)
Your diploma from these countries is almost certainly WO-level (university bachelor):
- • India (any degree from accredited university)
- • Singapore (NUS, NTU, SMU all WO-equivalent)
- • USA, Canada, UK, Australia (BA/BSc all WO-equivalent)
- • China (from top universities like Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan)
- • European countries (Bologna Process = automatic recognition)
Your diploma might be HBO or require evaluation:
- • Philippines (depends on institution)
- • Thailand (top tier recognized; others variable)
- • Indonesia (varies significantly)
- • Vietnam (institution-dependent)
- • Malaysia (Monash, Nottingham, UM usually WO; others variable)
Recommendation: If certain about your university's reputation, you can check Nuffic database first (nuffic.nl) rather than paying €150-200 evaluation fee if you're not planning Netherlands career long-term.
Part 9: FAQ (Real questions from Reddit 2025)
How long does Nuffic/IDW diploma evaluation take in 2026?
Official timeline: up to 4 months (13 weeks). Reality from 2025 reports: 6-10 weeks average for complete applications, 2-6 weeks if expedited, 12-16 weeks if documents incomplete. Processing depends on application completeness, current workload, and institution verification speed.
How much does diploma recognition cost in Netherlands?
Nuffic/IDW evaluation: €150-200. Sworn translation (if needed): €100-300. BIG healthcare registration: €88 + language exam €500-1,000. Professional associations: €500-2,000. Total for typical IT professional: €150-200. Healthcare professional: €788-7,500 (language study major cost).
What is the difference between WO, HBO, and MBO in Netherlands?
MBO = vocational (2-4 years, entry-level). HBO = applied sciences/polytechnic (4 years, bachelor's applied focus). WO = research university (3-4 years, bachelor's research focus). WO required for master's programs and some professional roles. HBO sufficient for most jobs. Your foreign degree evaluated as equivalent to one of these levels.
Do I need diploma recognition to work in Netherlands?
Not always. Regulated professions (healthcare, law, engineering) require it. Many employers don't require formal evaluation, accept diploma + work history. You should get evaluation if: employer requests it, applying to master's programs, diploma from non-English country (credibility), or anticipate long-term Netherlands job search.
How long does BIG registration take for healthcare professionals?
EU automatic recognition: 4-6 weeks. Non-EU procedure: 16-24 weeks minimum. CRITICAL: Dutch language B2-C1 required first (12-18 months study from scratch). Total realistic timeline for Indian/Asian doctor: 24-36 months (2-3 years) from arrival to licensed practice. Language study is the major time investment, not credential evaluation.
Related resources for expats
Once your diploma is recognized, explore these related guides to continue your Netherlands journey:
Moving from Asia
Complete guide for Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian professionals relocating to Netherlands.
Job market 2026
Reality check on Netherlands job market with strategies for international professionals.
Salary negotiation
Comprehensive guide to Netherlands salary negotiation and benefits for 2026.