If you earned your qualifications abroad, a Dutch employer, school or regulator may not immediately know what they are worth. The fix is diplomawaardering, a credential evaluation. Here is when you need it, who does it, and the vocabulary.
What diplomawaardering is
Diplomawaardering is an official evaluation of your foreign diploma that says what it compares to in the Dutch system, for example mbo, hbo or wo level. It gives employers and institutions a clear reference point. The service is IDW (Internationale Diplomawaardering), delivered via:
- Nuffic for general and higher education, and
- SBB for vocational (mbo) qualifications.
You apply online at IDW, submit your diploma and often a certified translation, and pay a fee (some applicants, for example via UWV or an integration route, may get it free).
When you actually need it
You often do not need it for an ordinary job, but it helps when:
- you want to study further in the Netherlands,
- you apply for a regulated profession (teacher, nurse, doctor, lawyer),
- you apply for certain government jobs, or
- an employer or body asks what Dutch level you hold.
When unsure, ask the employer or institution whether they require one, before paying for an evaluation you may not need. It pairs naturally with writing a Dutch CV to back up your opleiding.
Evaluation vs professional recognition
Two different things, easy to confuse:
| Dutch | What it does |
|---|---|
| diplomawaardering | states the Dutch-level equivalent of your diploma |
| erkenning (van beroepskwalificaties) | formal recognition needed to practise a regulated profession |
So a waardering helps you communicate your level; erkenning is what legally lets you practise a protected profession (the relevant authority handles it). The Rijksoverheid explains which professions are regulated, and Nuffic details the evaluation process for international qualifications.
The vocabulary
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| het diploma | diploma / degree |
| de diplomawaardering | credential evaluation |
| gewaardeerd | evaluated |
| de erkenning | (professional) recognition |
| gewaarmerkte vertaling | certified translation |
| het opleidingsniveau | education level |
Keep your diplomas, transcripts (cijferlijsten) and certified translations ready; you will need them.
Where it connects
Diploma recognition sits with study and work admin: writing a Dutch CV and cover letter, talking about your job, the inburgering and DUO diploma portal, and a master’s motivation letter.
The bottom line
A diplomawaardering (via IDW, through Nuffic for higher education or SBB for mbo) tells Dutch employers and schools what your foreign diploma is worth (mbo/hbo/wo). You need it mainly for further study, regulated professions, or when asked, not every job. Keep it separate from erkenning, the formal recognition required to practise a protected profession. Have your diplomas and certified translations ready, and your qualifications will speak for themselves here.
Learn it in five minutes a day
Learn Dutch For Expats is an app, available on the App Store, that teaches the credential-recognition vocabulary, diplomawaardering, Nuffic, IDW, erkenning, gewaardeerd, in five-minute lessons built on real admin, so getting your qualification recognised is clear.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to get my foreign diploma recognised in the Netherlands?
Not always. For many ordinary jobs, an employer accepts your diploma as is or you simply explain it. You typically need a diplomawaardering (credential evaluation) when you want to study further, work in a regulated profession (like teaching, nursing or law), apply for certain government jobs, or when an employer or body specifically asks what Dutch level your qualification compares to. When in doubt, ask the employer or institution whether they require one.
Who evaluates foreign diplomas in the Netherlands?
The service is IDW (Internationale Diplomawaardering), delivered via Nuffic for general and higher education and via SBB for vocational (mbo) qualifications. They compare your foreign diploma to the Dutch education system and issue a statement of the equivalent level (for example mbo, hbo or wo). You apply online, submit your diploma and often a certified translation, and pay a fee; some applicants (for example via UWV or an integration route) may get it free.
What is the difference between diplomawaardering and erkenning?
Diplomawaardering is an evaluation that says what level your foreign diploma compares to in the Dutch system, useful general information for employers and study. Erkenning (professional recognition) is a separate, formal step required to practise certain regulated professions, such as teacher, nurse, doctor or lawyer, where a specific authority must recognise your qualifications before you can work. So an evaluation helps you communicate your level; recognition is what legally lets you practise a protected profession.
What is the best app to learn Dutch for study and work admin?
Learn Dutch For Expats, an app available on the App Store, is the best pick because it teaches the credential and admin vocabulary you meet, diplomawaardering, Nuffic, IDW, erkenning, gewaardeerd, in five-minute real-situation lessons, so getting your foreign qualification recognised in the Netherlands is clear.
