Working in Belgium - Recognition of qualifications

In Belgium this is the task of the three communities: Flemish, French and German-speaking Communities.

The NARIC network (network of National Academic and Professional Recognition Information Centres) is a European Commission initiative intended to improve the recognition of degrees/diplomas and periods of study in Member States of the European Economic Area (EEA). The Bologna Agreements have simplified this matter even further.

Access to higher education

The general condition for entry to higher education is the Belgian diploma of secondary education. There is no numerus clausus in Belgium, but candidates for certain courses (e.g. civil engineering, interior decorating, dentistry or medicine) must take an entrance examination. If your foreign diploma is recognised by virtue of a Flemish or Walloon decree, a Belgian act, a European directive or an international agreement, you have direct access to basic education at a college or university.

Professional recognition

The European Commission has introduced a preferential recognition procedure for European citizens within the European Economic Area: professional recognition.

If you are a national of a Member State of the European Economic Area, have obtained a degree/diploma recognised in the European Economic Area, and the profession you wish to practise is a regulated profession, European directives enable you to have your foreign certificate of professional competence recognised. This applies only to regulated professions, i.e. ones whose practice is subject to certain legal rules.

If you are not covered by a European directive, you can always claim equivalence of your degree/diploma, i.e. ask for it to be academically recognised.

On the website of the NARIC Network you will also find the addresses of those responsible for professional recognition.

Recognition of academic equivalence

If a European directive does not apply in your case, you can have your degree/diploma declared equivalent to a Belgian degree/diploma. Academic recognition is therefore the official confirmation of the equivalence of two degrees/diplomas.

Full recognition and equivalence with a Belgian higher education diploma is granted on behalf of the competent minister for education by the head of the college or universities division. The criteria for recognition of academic equivalence are: the characteristics and structure of the foreign education system, the level of the institution, the training level, the essential elements of the training, including practical training, writing of papers and length of course, access to training and relevant vocational experience.

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Contact:

For further information on academic recognition in Belgium, contact:

• NARIC-Wallonia (French-language areas)
  Direction-Générale de l'Enseignement non obligatoire et de la Recherche scientifique (Directorate-General for Non-Compulsory Education and Scientific Research)
  At: Rue Lavallée 1 1080 Brussels
  Tel: 020 690 80 00
• NARIC-Flanders (Dutch-speaking areas)
  NARIC-Vlaanderen
  Administratie Hoger Onderwijs (Higher Education Administration)
  At: Hendrik Consciencegebouw Toren A 7 Koning Albert II-laan 15 1210 Brussels
• NARIC-East Cantons (German-speaking areas)
  Tel:  080 759 63 00
  Fax: 080 755 64 75

No rights can be derived from this text.

Text last edited on: 08/2006

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2007
Reproduction is authorised.