Foreign licences

Recognition of foreign degree

Since January 18^th 2016, new European rules have entered into force regarding foreign degree holders.

Objective of the rules is the enhancement of labour mobility. In this Manual for recognition, the RGS guides the doctor through the application process. 

What has changed?

Previously recognition of a foreign degree automatically led tot registration. Since January 2016 doctors have become subject to additional registration requirements. The most important changes are:

• the doctor must be able to demonstrate that he or she has practised his or her specialty;
• he/she has participated in further training if his or her specialist’s degree is older than five years;
• he/she has mastered the Dutch language to a sufficient extent; 
• the replacement of the assessment traineeship and the individual training program by the adaptation period.

 A doctor with a foreign specialist’s degree who wants to practise his/her profession in the Netherlands and therefore wants to be registered as a specialist must submit an application for recognition and an application for registration to the RGS. The RGS handles both applications simultaneously. The doctor can submit both applications to the RGS on one form and the RGS will inform the doctor of its decision on both applications in a single letter.

Documents

• Manual for recognition and registration of foreign degree holders
• Format Verklaring Werkzaamheden
• Beleidsregels buitenslands gediplomeerden RGS

Contact

 For more information, please contact the Bureau of the Commission for the Registration of Medical Specialists, department Foreign Qualifications Department, telephone: (+31)(0)88 440 43 30; E-mail: buitenland@fed.knmg.nl