How to immigrate and work in the Netherlands as a nurse?

Are you a nurse and want to immigrate to the Netherlands? You have made a good choice, and it’s a good place for nurses. You just need to know how to do it. This article brings you to how to immigrate to the Netherlands as a nurse. 

What are the requirements to become a nurse in the Netherlands?

These items are needed for every nurse who wants to immigrate to the Netherlands; 

Having a diploma in nursing.

 It’s a must to have a degree or diploma in nursing from an approved center. It could be from your home country or a foreign country. But the center must be approved in that country.  

Dutch language proficiency. 

Mastering the Dutch language is a must to immigrate to the Netherlands as a nurse. You must submit the certificate to the officials as supporting documents. Also, the tests you must pass are in Dutch. 

Have work experience 

If there is a gap between your education and the date of application, you must fill it with relevant work experience. It must be related to nursing and have a proof for it. 

Registering with the Dutch healthcare system. 

Every foreign nurse who wants to move to the Netherlands must pass the registration process. The procedure is different for the EEA and non-EEA nationals. But they have to pass it and take the tests. 

What is the BIG register?

When you want to work as a nurse, doctor, dentist, and some other profession in the Netherlands, you have to register with the Dutch healthcare system. You have to send them your supporting documents, pass some tests, and complete the application form to complete the registration process. 

It is different for EEA and non-EEA countreis. The entire application process is explained in the below section. 

What are the requirements? 

You need these items to become a nurse in the Netherlands: 

Get your certificate or diploma.

The first step is to get your nursing diploma or certificate. It must be valid in your home country or the foreign country you study in. 

You should know that there is a difference between the EU and non-EU applicants. If you have received your degree from a non-EU country, you must get it recognized by Dutch officials. You can find more information about the recognition process in the below section. 

Remember to gather all supporting documents and certificates during your studies. You must prove everything to the Dutch officials. 

Master the Dutch language. 

It’s a must to master the Dutch language. You have to submit a document that proves you have studied the language and can read, write and speak fluently. Also, part of the admission process and the tests are in English. 

Registering with the Dutch healthcare system in the BIG-Register

You must register with the Dutch healthcare system and get your document recognized. It’s a must for everyone, and there is no way to skip it. The registration process gets called BIG-Register. You have to pass a few steps to get your document recognized. 

It takes time until you complete the recognition process. You can find out more information in the below section.  

If you have received your education inside the EU or in Switzerland, you do not need to get your document recognized. You just need to register with the BIG-Register process. But you must be eligible and meet the conditions. 

Proof of work experience 

If you received your degree more than 5 years ago, you must submit proof of work experience. 

If you can not submit proof, you might be able to register for a training course. 

What are the steps to follow?

You have to follow these steps to immigrate to the Netherlands as a nurse 

Moving to the Netherlands as a nurse from the EEA countries and Switzerland 

The below steps explain how to move to the Netherlands as a nurse from the EEA countries and Switzerland. 

Step 1. Get all of your educational certificates and diploma.

You must prepare and gather all of the supporting documents of your education. If there is an exam or test that you must pass to become a nurse in your home country, submit proof that you have passed it. 

Remember that every claim must be supported by documents. If you have passed training courses or internships, gather the document as well. 

Step 2. Prepare your document for the application 

If you have received your certificate or diploma in the EU or Switzerland, you do not need recognition, and they are valid in the Netherlands. But your diploma must meet the conditions; 

• Your certificate must be on the list of approved ones. Find the list here. 
• You have the Dutch language proficiency certificate required in the BIG-Register.
• You have received your diploma from one of the members of the EEA or Switzerland. Your profession is one of these items; 
  • doctor, 
  • pharmacist, 
  • dentist, 
  • midwife, 
  • or nurse;

Step 3. Prepare your application.

You must gather the list of supporting documents to submit to the officials. Here is a list of them; 

• An authenticated original nursing qualification 
• Your curriculum
• A copy of a valid identity document
• Proof of language proficiency
• CV
• Certificate(s) of Current Professional Status (CCPS)
• Certificate(s) of Good Conduct (CGC)
• Translation of document into English or Dutch 

You might have to submit further documents, and it is the Dutch officials’ decision. 

Step 4. Completing the digital application form.

 You must complete the online application form on the ‘Mijn BIG-register’ website. To do so, you must create an account with DigiD. This link tells you how to get a DigiD. 

If you are living abroad, not in the Netherlands, and can not get a DigiD, you can create an account with a BIG login. 

Complete the application after logging in, and do not miss any part. Remember that there is a fee you must pay for your application. The average fee is about €85, but you might have to pay more for additional costs. 

Step 5. Complete the paper application and send the document

After you complete the application form, you will receive an email. It contains the application form, which you must print. The email also tells you to submit a list of original supporting documents. You must post them to this address; 

Postal address

CIBG

BIG register

P.O. Box 3173

6401 DR  Heerlen

The Netherlands

Step 6. Final decision and recognition

 It takes up to three months until Dutch officials to assess your application and decide on it. If they refuse it, you cannot work as a nurse in the Netherlands. If you do not agree with their decision, you can object to it. You have six weeks to object to the decision and send your document or request. The Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport website will help you with the objections. 

If they approve your application, your qualification will be recognized, and you will be added to the BIG register. Dutch officials will publish your name, professional, and related details on the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport website. Anyone can find your information to know you are a registered nurse. 

Now you can move to the Netherlands and find a job to work as a nurse. You will not need a visa or work permit to work in the Netherlands as an EEA national. 

Moving to the Netherlands as a nurse from a non-EEA country. 

This section tells you how to immigrate to the Netherlands as a nurse in a non-EEA country. The procedure is different for them from the EEA members: 

Step 1. Prepare your application

Before you begin the application process, you would better prepare your document and find out information about the process to speed it up. If not, it could take a long time, and you might get refused. 

You must prepare your language proficiency certificate first things first. It is an essential part of your application and must prove you meet the language requirements. 

There are two tests that you must pass. You would better find more information about them and prepare yourself for them. Remember that the tests are not available every time and the dates and seats are limited. 

There is also a list of supporting documents that you have to submit. Here is a sample of them; 

• An authenticated original nursing qualification 
• Your curriculum
• A copy of a valid identity document
• Proof of language proficiency
• CV
• Certificate(s) of Current Professional Status (CCPS)
• Certificate(s) of Good Conduct (CGC)
• Translation of document into English or Dutch

On page 9 of the application form, you will get a complete list of supporting documents. You must submit everything. You would better know the list and gather everything, as it could take time. 

Step 2. Complete the application form and submit the documents. 

 There is a general application form you must complete and one Annex for your profession if needed. You need to complete the annex for nurses. You can find the forms at this link. 

The form tells you the list of supporting documents you must gather. Collect all of them and post  everything to this address: 

CIBG

Erkenning buitenlandse diploma’s

PO 16114

2500 BC  The Hague

The Netherlands

Note; you must create an account on the “My BIG register”. It is to receive all of the messages sent by the Dutch officials. 

You must complete the online application form on the ‘Mijn BIG-register’ website. To do so, you must create an account with DigiD. This link tells you how to get a DigiD. 

If you are living abroad, not in the Netherlands, and can not get a DigiD, you can create an account with a BIG login.  

Step 3. Assessment of application 

Dutch officials will assess your application to determine whether you are qualified or not. If they approve you, they will require the original copy of your document. They will notify you through the BIG- register to whom to send the document. 

Nuffic is the responsible center for evaluating your documents, and you will receive a notification in your account to send them the documents. 

Step 4. Pass the AKV test

Everyone who wants to work in the Dutch healthcare system must pass the AKV test. It is a general knowledge and language test. Being fluent in Dutch is the most important requirement to pass this test. 

You must pass the test so the assessment of your applications gets to continue. You can take this test through in-person visits or a digital test. 

You could ask for an online meeting to get more information about the test. The information is provided on this page. Remember that there the tests cost you €530 for registration. 

Step 5. Take the BI test, 

Doctors, nurses, and dentists who want to immigrate to the Netherlands must take another test which gets called the BI test. You have to pay €400 to register for the test. You could also ask for an online meeting to get more information about it. The link provided in the above section helps you to arrange the online meeting. 

Step 6. Assessment by the Dutch government. 

The Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates (CBGV) will evaluate your application, documents, and test results to know if you are appropriate to work as a nurse in the Netherlands or not. 

If your application is not approved, they will tell you. It means you can not work as a nurse in the Netherlands. If you do not agree with the decision, you have the option of lodging an objection. You have 6 weeks to do this. The Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport website help you to object. 

The officials might invite you to an online meeting to assess your conditions and explain that you need additional courses. 

If you have received a positive decision, this will be your certificate of competence. You can work as a nurse in the Netherlands. 

Step 7. The final decision on your application

After the Dutch authorities receive the response from the Commission for Foreign Healthcare Graduates, they will send you a message and inform you of the result. This decision is called the intended decision.

Remember that you have two weeks to respond and approve it. If the answer is negative, you can object, as explained in the previous section. In case you do not respond, you will receive a definite response in two weeks. 

When the answer is positive, you will receive the certificate of competence through the post to your address. 

Step 8. Apply for BIG-Register

Now you are eligible to apply for BIG-Register to work as a nurse in the Netherlands. This is a separate application, and you must begin everything from scratch. 

You must complete the application form, collect the supporting documents and send them to the postal address of the BIG register (CIBG) in Heerlen. This link helps you with the BIG-Register. 

Step 9. Apply for a job offer and work visa. 

At this stage, you must apply for a job offer in the Netherlands. You can search through the websites that advertise job positions. You can find a list of them in the below section. Also, you can apply for a Netherlands tourist visa and enter the country to look for a job. But you may not convert it to a work visa. 

After you get the offer, you must sign an employment contract with a Dutch employer so he/she can apply for a work permit. When the work permit is issued, you, as the nurse, can apply for a work visa to the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country.

You can find more information about the work visa from the left sidebar or watch its video on the YouTube page.