Foreign diploma in the Netherlands

How do I have my foreign diploma valued or recognized in the Netherlands?
You can have your foreign diploma valued or recognized in the Netherlands by various agencies. Where to go depends on what you want to do in the Netherlands.

International credential evaluation
A credential evaluation or education evaluation describes to which Dutch education or Dutch diploma your foreign diploma or education is comparable. The SBB and Nuffic Centers of Expertise for International Credential Evaluation draw up the credential evaluations. The SBB International Credential Evaluation Centers do this for preparatory secondary education (vmbo) and senior secondary vocational education (mbo). Nuffic draws up credential evaluations for secondary education and higher education.

Please contact the Diploma Valuation Information Center (IcDW) with questions about this.

Applying for diploma valuation
Where you apply for a diploma valuation for a foreign diploma depends on what you will be doing in the Netherlands:

• You are going to attend higher education
  The Dutch college or university can value your diplomas or request a diploma valuation for you from Nuffic.
• You are going to attend (vocational) education at an ROC
  The ROC will request a diploma rating for you from the SBB's National Reference Point (NRP).
• Looking for work
  Are you receiving benefits from the UWV? If so, the UWV will request the diploma rating from the SBB. This is only possible if you receive ZW, WAZ, WAO, WIA or WAJONG benefits. Are you not receiving benefits? Then you can apply to the Diploma Valuation Information Center (IcDW).
• You do not yet know what you want to do
  You can contact the Diploma Appreciation Information Center (IcDW).

Applying for a Dutch title
You can apply to DUO for a Dutch title based on your foreign diploma. This is possible for the titles:

• engineer (ing.);
• baccalaureus (bc.);
• engineer (ir.);
• master (mr.);
• doctoral candidate (drs.);
• doctor (dr.).

Recognition of diploma in regulated professions
A person may practice a regulated profession only if they have obtained a national diploma to do so. Examples of regulated professions are teacher, nurse, lawyer or interpreter. How you apply for recognition of your foreign diploma depends on the profession. You can visit Nuffic for an overview of regulated professions.

Contacting the Central Government
Do you have questions about central government rules? If so, you can call Information Central Government.
Or send a message on WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook or by email.

Calling 1400
WhatsApp Central Government
Facebook Central Government
Twitter @government
Government contact form