Foreign diplomas that are automatically recognised in Flanders
Some foreign diplomas are automatically recognised in Flanders. For these diplomas, you do not have to start a recognition procedure because recognition is provided for in the law.
Belgian qualifications
- Federal qualifications: Qualifications awarded by the Royal Military School
Civil engineer polytechnician diplomas and licentiate qualifications delivered by the Royal Military School are equal to the level of master in Flanders.
Legislation: Art. II. 175. §2 en §3 Codex Hoger Onderwijs (Vlaamse Codex) (in Dutch)(opens in new window). - Qualifications awarded in other Belgian communities
Recognised qualifications awarded in the French and German-speaking Communities are equivalent to the corresponding Flemish qualifications. Applying for recognition is not required.
Qualifications from The Netherlands
Luxembourgish qualifications
The following Luxembourgish study certificates automatically receive level equivalency.
- In Flanders, the Luxembourgish brevet de technicien supérieur or the diplôme d’études supérieures générales is automatically recognised as equivalent in level to the ‘gegradueerde’ diploma or degree awarded in higher vocational education.
- Luxembourgish Diplômes de bachelor are automatically recognised in Flanders as equivalent in level to Flemish bachelors.
- Luxembourgish Diplômes de master are automatically recognised in Flanders as equivalent in level to Flemish masters.
- Luxembourgish Diplômes de doctorat are automatically recognised in Flanders as equivalent in level to Flemish doctoral degrees.
This automatic recognition only refers to the recognition of the level of these study certificates. If you are seeking recognition of equivalence to a specific Flemish certificate, you must start a recognition procedure with NARIC-Vlaanderen. Not sure about the type of recognition you need? Then go through the NARIC-Vlaanderen application wizard(opens in new window).
International qualifications
International Baccalaureate and European Baccalaureate
- The International Baccalaureate Diploma or Diplôme du Baccalauréat International awarded by the International Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva is automatically recognised as equivalent to the Flemish certificate of secondary education.
- The European Baccalaureate is automatically recognised as equivalent to the Flemish certificate of secondary education.
Qualifications awarded by the European University Institute in Florence
Diploma of the European University Institute | Recognised in Flanders as |
|---|---|
Master in Comparative, European and International Law | Gediplomeerde in de gespecialiseerde studies (GGS) in het studiegebied rechten |
Doctor of History and Civilization | Doctor in de geschiedenis |
Doctor of Economics | Doctor in de economische wetenschappen |
Doctor of Laws | Doctor in de rechten |
Doctor of Political and Social Science | Doctor in de politieke en sociale wetenschappen |
Qualifications from the Baltic states
On 1 May 2024, the ‘Treaty on automatic mutual recognition of higher education diplomas’ entered into force. The Benelux countries (Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg) and the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) now automatically recognise the level of each other’s diplomas. This means that it is no longer necessary to apply for recognition with NARIC-Vlaanderen when you wish to have the level of your degree recognised. Check out the benefits of the treaty for you as an applicant in this video: Benelux-Baltic cooperation in higher education: Automatic recognition of qualifications (YouTube) (in Dutch)(opens in new window).