Netherlands needs more doctors and recruits international medical graduates (IMGs), but medicine is a regulated profession there, so before you can work you must have your medical degree recognised and hold a licence from the BIG register (run by CIBG). How you get there depends on where you trained.

In short: if you trained in the EU or EEA, your medical degree is recognised largely automatically; if you trained elsewhere, you need recognition (often with an examination), skills in Dutch, registration with the BIG register (run by CIBG), a job offer, and a single permit (GVVA) or Highly Skilled Migrant permit through the IND.

Is Your Medical Degree Recognised in Netherlands?

Doctors who trained in the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland benefit from automatic recognition of the basic medical qualification under Directive 2005/36/EC, because medicine is a sectoral profession. If you trained outside those countries, your degree is assessed individually and you usually must pass an examination or complete supervised practice before you can register. Non-EU doctors take the AKV assessment (knowledge and language) and a professional competence test.

Step by Step

• Recognition: apply to have your degree recognised, with your diploma, transcripts, and proof of training and experience in certified translation.
• Language: reach the required level of Dutch, since safe practice and registration depend on it.
• Registration: register with the BIG register (run by CIBG) to obtain the licence to practise.
• Job and visa: with a job offer, obtain a single permit (GVVA) or Highly Skilled Migrant permit through the IND.

The Work Route

Once you are recognised and registered, with a job offer the usual immigration route is a single permit (GVVA) or Highly Skilled Migrant permit through the IND. The professional steps and the immigration steps run in parallel, so plan both early.

Salary, Specialisation, and Demand

Doctors' pay in Netherlands follows national or collective agreements and varies by grade, region, and experience, and specialists earn more than junior doctors. You specialise through structured postgraduate training after full registration. Demand for doctors is strong across much of Europe, so confirm the salary, hours, and contract in writing before accepting a post.

Avoiding Scams

Use official regulators and ethical recruiters only. Legitimate employers and agencies never charge a doctor upfront placement fees; if anyone asks you to pay to be placed, treat it as a likely scam and verify the employer and the BIG register (run by CIBG) through official channels.

Official Sources

Confirm current rules with the BIG register (run by CIBG) and the Netherlands immigration authority, as procedures, exams, language levels, and fees can change.