Getting your foreign diploma evaluated or recognised in the Netherlands

Before you start

• Clear colour scans of your diploma and transcripts
• A valid passport, ID card or residence permit (valid for at least three more months)

Documents you need

• Passport, ID card or residence permit valid for at least three more months

  required

• Diploma (or an official statement that it has been awarded)

  required

• Transcript(s) or the complete diploma supplement

  required

• Certified translation if documents are not in Dutch, English, German, French or Afrikaans

  Do not upload apostilles; for the free evaluation a certified translation is not required

  optional

• Proof of name change, if the name on your diploma differs from your ID

  optional

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Check whether your profession is regulated

   Search the European Commission's regulated professions database and, under "Professions regulated in country", select the Netherlands. If your profession is listed, the database names the Dutch competent authority that assesses your qualifications. Contact that authority before anything else; an IDW evaluation is not a licence to practise.

   If your profession is not listed, it is not regulated and you can work in it without recognition (subject to your residence and work rights). A credential evaluation can still help employers understand your education.

2. 2

   Step 2: Regulated professions: follow the competent authority's procedure

   Each authority has its own process. For example, healthcare professions covered by the BIG register (managed by the CIBG) have different procedures for diplomas from the EU or Switzerland, some of which are recognised automatically, and for diplomas from elsewhere, which usually go through a certificate of competence procedure. According to the BIG register, Dutch language skills at the required level are needed in almost all situations. Pharmacists, physiotherapists and nurses with EU qualifications can use the European Professional Card procedure, according to Nuffic.

3. 3

   Step 3: Non-regulated professions: apply to IDW

   Create an account on Mijn IDW, fill in the application for "to work" (or "to study" if that is your purpose) and upload the required documents. One diploma is evaluated per application. An employer or other organisation can apply on your behalf with your written consent.

   Document rules from IDW:

   • upload clear colour scans of the entire document;
   • do not upload apostilles or translations of apostilles;
   • documents not in Dutch, English, German, French or Afrikaans need a certified translation, for example by a sworn translator; an official English version from your institution is also accepted;
   • some countries require additional documents, listed per country on the IDW website.

   You do not need to post originals unless IDW asks for them.

4. 4

   Step 4: Pay and follow your application

   IDW emails you a payment link after you submit. A diploma evaluation costs €148.83 (2026), payable with iDEAL or credit card. Processing starts once payment is received. You can follow the status in your account.

   IDW currently reports longer processing times: the initial completeness check takes place about six working weeks after you submit, and once the file is complete the evaluation takes about eight working weeks. Missing documents restart the wait for the initial check, so upload everything the first time.

5. 5

   Step 5: Use the evaluation

   You receive an evaluation stating the comparable Dutch level, for example a bachelor's degree at a research university (WO) or a university of applied sciences (HBO), or a vocational (MBO) level. Add it to job applications and keep it for later use, for example for further study. IDW stresses that an evaluation is advice: you cannot derive legal rights from it.

When the evaluation is free

If you are missing documents

Evaluations for residence permits and study

Watch out

Common mistakes

• Paying for an evaluation when you are entitled to the free one through civic integration, naturalisation or permanent residence.
• Uploading apostilles or unclear phone photos instead of full colour scans.
• Applying for an IDW evaluation for a healthcare profession instead of starting the BIG register procedure.

Tips

• Request your transcripts and diploma supplement from your university before you leave your home country; obtaining them later from abroad can be slow.
• Keep the evaluation with your CV and mention the comparable Dutch level in applications, so employers can place your education quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Official links

In your plan

• Check whether your diploma needs evaluation or recognitionAdd to plan
• Apply for admission to a Dutch programmeAdd to plan
• Start your job search and check whether you may workAdd to plan
• Collect the originals you will need in the NetherlandsAdd to plan

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 5 Apr 2027.