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Foreign diploma for a healthcare profession in Belgium
For healthcare professions, a general diploma equivalence is not always enough. You often need to combine recognition of the diploma with supporting evidence and, for some professions, a specific visa or authorisation from the FPS Public Health.
Understand the processWhy is this procedure heavier?
Because the issue is not only recognition of a study level, but also access to a regulated profession. The FPS Public Health therefore often requires more than just a translated diploma.
Which documents are frequently required?
Beyond the diploma, the authority may ask for certificates about training, internship, professional practice or professional standing. You should therefore check the exact list for your profession before ordering translations.
Where does the sworn translation fit in?
As in other procedures, any required authentication of the foreign document comes before translation. A clean and complete sworn translation helps avoid unnecessary back-and-forth on core documents such as the diploma or professional certificates.
Documents to prepare
- Identify the healthcare profession concerned and the competent authority
- Diploma, annexes and any internship or practice certificates if requested
- Identity documents and certificates required by the FPS Public Health
- Apostille or legalisation if required for the original document
- Sworn translation of documents the authority cannot use directly
Steps to follow
Identify the profession
Start by identifying the regulated profession concerned and the exact route provided by the competent authority.
Gather the supporting documents
Prepare the diploma, annexes, professional certificates and relevant identity documents.
Authenticate and translate
Handle any required authentication and then the sworn translations needed for the file.
File with the correct service
Submit the file to the sector authority that is actually competent for the profession concerned.
Good to know
Guides
On the same topic
Other steps to prepare. Diplomas and equivalence.
Translating a transcript for an enrolment in Belgium
Why the transcript often matters more than expected for university admission in Belgium: credits, grades, chronology and useful translation.
Diploma equivalence in Belgium
Recognition runs through NARIC-Vlaanderen or the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, depending on the community. Required documents, sworn translation and fees.
Diploma equivalence: FWB, NARIC Vlaanderen or German-speaking Community?
How to choose between the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, NARIC Vlaanderen and the German-speaking Community to have a foreign diploma recognised.
For your application
Related documents
Common translations
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Frequently asked questions
+−Is a general diploma equivalence enough?
+−Does the FPS Public Health ask only for the diploma?
+−When should the documents be translated?
+−Do all foreign documents need an apostille?
+−Does this page replace the instructions for the profession concerned?
Official source
Official sources used
The references below are the public sources used to document this page. The competent authority always retains the final decision.
CertiDocs analysis: CertiDocs explains the process and helps connect users with a professional. CertiDocs is not a public service and is not affiliated with any authority.