Recognising qualifications in Belgique

Determine which community you will work or study in

Before applying for any recognition in Belgium, you must identify whether you intend to work or study in the Flemish community (Dutch-speaking Flanders or Dutch-speaking Brussels) or in the French community (Wallonia or French-speaking Brussels). This determines which NARIC body handles your academic recognition. For regulated healthcare professions, recognition is federal and applies across all communities, but you still need to know your working community for practical steps like INAMI/RIZIV registration and community-specific employer requirements.

Apply to the correct NARIC body for academic recognition

If you are working in or moving to Flanders, apply to NARIC Flanders at naricvlaanderen.be. If you are working in or moving to Wallonia or French-speaking Brussels, apply to NARIC Wallonie-Bruxelles at naricwallonie.be. Submit your degree certificate, full academic transcript, and a certified translation into Dutch (Flanders) or French (Wallonia) made by a sworn translator (beëdigd vertaler / traducteur juré). Processing takes 8–12 weeks and results in a comparability decision (erkenningsbeslissing / décision de reconnaissance).

For healthcare professions: apply for a federal VISA

Doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals must apply to the Federal Public Service Health for a professional practice authorisation (VISA) before they can legally practise in Belgium. This federal recognition applies across all communities. EEA-trained practitioners of the seven sectoral professions benefit from automatic recognition under Directive 2005/36/EC. Non-EEA healthcare professionals go through a general-system assessment. Processing typically takes 3–6 months.

For healthcare professions: register with INAMI/RIZIV after receiving the VISA

After receiving the federal VISA from the Federal Public Service Health, healthcare professionals must register with INAMI/RIZIV to practise under the national health insurance system and to bill patients. Without INAMI/RIZIV registration a healthcare professional cannot legally bill for services. Registration takes 2–4 weeks once the VISA has been issued.

For architecture: apply to the Ordre des Architectes

Architects must apply to the relevant provincial council of the Ordre des Architectes for the region where they intend to practise. The application requires your degree certificate, a NARIC comparability decision (if your degree is non-Belgian), and evidence of professional experience. EEA-trained architects benefit from automatic recognition under Directive 2005/36/EC. Processing takes 2–3 months.

For law: apply to the relevant Belgian Bar

Lawyers wishing to practise in Flanders apply to the Orde van Vlaamse Balies (OVB). Those wishing to practise in the French- or German-speaking community apply to the Ordre des barreaux francophones et germanophone (OBFG). EEA lawyers registered in another member state may practise under their home-country professional title. After a three-year integration period practising Belgian law, they can apply for full Belgian bar status. Non-EEA qualified lawyers do not benefit from the EU Directive and must meet full Belgian bar requirements.