Are you a teacher with qualifications gained outside the Netherlands? Do you want to work in education in the Netherlands? In that case, you must apply for recognition of your qualifications. This is only possible if the qualifications you attained have the same value as corresponding qualifications in the Netherlands. With this recognition you can teach in basisonderwijs (primary education) and voortgezet onderwijs – VO (secondary education). Or in beroepsonderwijs en volwasseneneducatie –BVE (vocational education and adult education).
Last updated on 5 August 2022
Criteria for recognition of qualifications attained outside the Netherlands
The recognition of your qualification is subject to certain conditions. For example, you must have at least completed tertiary level education.
Applying for recognition of qualifications attained outside the Netherlands
Please contact Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs – DUO (education implementation service) to apply for recognition of your qualifications.
Laws and regulations (in Dutch)
General Law on the recognition of EC professional qualifications, Article 5
Regulation on the recognition of EC professional qualifications of teaching staff
Law on primary education, Article 3
Secondary Education Act 2020, Article 7.11
Expertise Centres Act, Article 3
Law on education and vocational education, Articles 4.2.1 en 4.2.1a
Regulation on competence for (secondary) special education with regard to foreign diplomas