Applying for recognition as a healthcare professional based on international training, qualifications or work experience
You can apply for recognition from the Department of Health for your healthcare profession if you:
- obtained your professional qualification in an EEA country or Switzerland
- had your professional qualification recognised in an EEA country or Switzerland and you are a European citizen and you have three years of work experience in the EEA country or Switzerland.
If you have a specialisation, first apply for recognition for your basic profession, and then for your specialisation. Dentists in Belgium always need a specialisation: as a general dentist, orthodontist or periodontist.
What are the EEA countries?
The EEA consists of the 27 Member States of the European Union plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Switzerland is not part of the EEA, but if you obtained your diploma in Switzerland, you can still apply for recognition from the Department of Health.
Am I a European citizen?
- Anyone who is a national of one of the 27 Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
- You are also recognised as a European national if you meet one of the following criteria within these countries:
- Third-country nationals who are family members of a European Union citizen (electronic F card or F+ card)
- Holders of a European Blue Card (electronic H card), except for Ireland and Denmark
- Third-country nationals who have long-term resident status (electronic L card, formerly D card), except for Ireland and Denmark.
- Third-country nationals who have refugee status in a Member State.