Newcomers to Belgium who want to study, work in public services or certain professions may need degree recognition first. This process is complex and fragmented.
Here's The Brussels Times' guide to who needs it, for what, how much it costs, how to file and where to find help.
Types of recognition
Diploma recognition is an official document comparing foreign diplomas with their Belgian counterparts. "It's like comparing apples to oranges: a medical degree in Belgium is different from the same degree abroad," Anke Thys, diploma recognition specialist at Bon (integration agency) says.
People with specific jobs (paramedics, vets, architects and even mountain guides) or who want to be public sector workers, require recognition. Recognition is not needed in the private sector, and does not expire.
There are three types of recognition:
- Level recognition acknowledges the level of study (Bachelor's or Master's) and determines the wage bracket. It is automatic for diplomas from Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the Baltic States;
- Specific recognition recognises level and field (e.g. Bachelor's in Accountancy or Master's in Biology). People from outside the EEA (EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) need this;
- Professional recognition within the EEA (e.g. doctors from France) is applied for through the association of the relevant profession. This is quicker and easier.
One country, two systems
Before starting, defining the goal is key. Do you want to work, study, start or continue professional training?
This definition determines whether you apply via the French-speaking system of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (FWB) or the Dutch-speaking system NARIC. You must apply to the language community where you live, or in which you would like to work or study. In Brussels you can choose either.
Neither system recognises the other. This means, for example, for jobs with the Federal Government or a Brussels commune you can apply for recognition with both systems, but if you want to work in a Brussels French-speaking public institution, you need FWB recognition.
Study recognition
Non-Belgians who want to study at a Dutch-language university do not need diploma recognition: it is the decision of the university in question.
On the French-speaking side, recognition is needed. A person with a foreign Bachelor's degree who wants to start a new one must present secondary education recognition.
If you wish to continue studying you do not need recognition (except for specific professions above). You must provide your chosen university with documents and grades. Based on this, staff decide whether you can access a Master's degree or if transition is needed. If the university does not accept your documents, you must apply for recognition of secondary education to start a Bachelor's.
If you want to start studying in French-language universities for the academic year 2025-2026, you must submit applications to the FWB before 15 July.
Required documents
Applicants must show diplomas and grades from all years (copies for NARIC, originals for FWB).
For secondary education, there are two sub-types:
- Recognition to continue or start higher education: this is "complete" recognition, allowing you to study, work and follow professional training. You need to prove access to higher education in your country of origin. For some countries, you must include proof you sat a state entrance exam.
- Recognition without further studies: this is "partial" recognition. If the goal is to work or follow professional training, this suffices.
For recognition of a Master's degree, proof of a thesis is key.
For the FWB, thesis title is enough. On the Dutch-speaking side, you need the full document. If you cannot submit this, you must provide a summary. "People who no longer have their thesis can more easily obtain recognition at Master's level on the French-speaking side" says Thys.
For specific recognition, you must also submit a study programme (list all subjects with description), internship and employment certificates (including place, duration and tasks). This is compared with the Belgian study programme for the year of application.
For the FWB, documents for recognition of secondary education are accepted in French, English, Dutch, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. For higher education recognition, only documents in French and English are accepted. If the document is not in one of those languages, you must get a certified translation into French - abroad or in Belgium.
NARIC accepts documents in Dutch, English, French, German and Afrikaans. "If documents are not in one of those languages, they must be translated into Dutch, English, French or German by a recognised translator." Bon advises translating documents into French so they can be used for FWB and NARIC applications.
You must also bring ID and, for the FWB, a CV, motivation letter, and filled-out form. The full list of required documents is here.
Cost
Cost depends on the system
For NARIC, procedures cost €90, or €180 for specific recognition. It is free for job seekers registered with employment agencies Actiris (Brussels) or VDAB (Flanders), social services beneficiaries, asylum seekers, refugees, people under temporary protection and participants in Bon's integration programme.
For FWB, the cost varies:
- Partial secondary school recognition is free for under 18s, €51 for people from countries receiving official development assistance, and €76 for people from other countries;
- Complete secondary school and higher education recognition costs €150 for beneficiary countries and €200 for others. For the level recognition, the cost is €65 for the 'post-Bologna agreement' diplomas;
- Specific recognition of higher education costs €150 for beneficiary countries and €200 for others.
Only recognised refugees and people under temporary protection are exempt from paying.
Need help?
NARIC allows submission of all applications online through the Itsme app.
The FWB only accepts physical applications for recognition of secondary school diplomas (either in-person or tracked mail). For higher education, applications can be done online. You can submit an FWB application from abroad.
Bon and its French-speaking counterpart CIRÉ help you navigate both systems for free. Bon has access to the NARIC system, allowing you to submit applications and follow up on progress. For the FWB, Bon staff can guide you through the process, but not complete the actual application.
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Staff can explain the process and help with scanning and printing. However, waiting time for an appointment is around five months. You cannot ask Bon and CIRÉ to help with the same application at the same time.
If you choose to apply yourself, you can contact both CIRÉ and Bon for advice. Both organise information sessions.
Applications for secondary education recognition with FWB are usually completed within three months, while it takes up to four months for higher education level recognition. NARIC does not give a specific time frame, but it can take up to a year.
