- The e-portal
- Cost of your application
- Documents of your application
- Recognition by NARIC-Vlaanderen or another authority
The e-portal
- What if you are already in the e-portal but have made a mistake in the guidance tool?
- What if you do not possess a Belgian eID and thus cannot access the e-portal?
- What if you live abroad?
- What if you cannot download the consent form?
- How can you upload documents?
- How do you log in the e-portal?
- What happens after your application is submitted?
- How can you pay?
- When can you submit a second application?
What if you are already in the e-portal but have made a mistake in the guidance tool?
Complete the guidance tool again.
What if you do not possess a Belgian eID and thus cannot access the e-portal?
First of all, check carefully whether you can apply for recognition! So first answer the questions in the guidance tool.
If you live abroad, you can only apply if you can prove that you have a concrete prospect of employment in Flanders or Brussels.
In addition, there is a different procedure for the applicants who do or do not have a Belgian eID or electronic foreigner card, or a Belgian bank card (not Visa or Mastercard).
What if you live abroad?
You apply for recognition of your diploma with a view to entering the job market in Flanders or Brussels. If you (still) live abroad, you can only apply if you can also demonstrate that you have a concrete prospect of employment.
What if you cannot download the consent form?
Reload the page, you will not lose your data. The consent form will load onto the page. You can download the form, fill it in, scan it, and upload it.
How can you upload documents?
When you enter a new dossier in the e-portal, you must of course also upload all relevant documents. Only when all relevant documents have been uploaded can the dossier be forwarded to NARIC-Vlaanderen.
- In the overview of your application, after entering all courses, click on "upload documents".
- You will see an overview of all the training courses you have entered. For each programme, you will see whether any required documents need to be uploaded. A number of general documents must also be uploaded. Click on "upload x documents" to upload documents.
- Per diploma or for the general documents you will see a menu where you can effectively upload the documents.
- The page clearly indicates which documents are compulsory and which are optional.
- It is only possible to upload jpg, png and pdf files.
- You can see the maximum number of documents you can upload per document type (e.g. "max 2 attachments allowed").
- The page also includes instructions on how to convert documents to pdf format: Convert documents to PDF format.
- Click on "upload file" to upload a file. Then a drop-down menu opens allowing you to select and upload the documents on your device. You can keep clicking on "upload file" to upload documents until the maximum number of documents for the document type is reached.
- When you upload a document, a new screen opens. Here you can name the document you upload and indicate whether the document is in Dutch, English, French or German. If the document is fully multilingual and one of the languages is Dutch, French, English or German, select "yes".
- If a document is not Dutch, English, French or German, you will also be asked for a translation of the document. Click on the blue information icon to find out which type of translation is required for this document (sworn translation, self-created translation or self-created summary in Dutch, English, French or German).
- When you have uploaded your documents, click on "save and continue later". Have you not yet uploaded all the required documents? No worries, it is possible to upload these documents later when you have received or scanned them.Once all the required documents have been uploaded, you can proceed with submitting your application. If this is the case, it will say "documents loaded" and the bar will turn green for each diploma and general documents.
- If this is the case, you can continue by clicking on "back to overview". You will then be taken to the general overview of your application, where you can confirm and submit the application once all the required information and documents have been added.
How do you log in the e-portal?
With security code via e-mail
If you want to log in with security code via email, you must first sign up with the online government. For this, you will need your eID, your PIN, a card reader and the eID software.
- Go to 'my digital keys'
- Log in with your eID and card reader
- Click on the option 'security code via e-mail'
- Click on 'activate'
- Confirm your contact details
You will be sent a confirmation code via e-mail. Enter this code. Please note: the code is only valid for 5 minutes.
Via eID and connected card reader
If you have an eID or an electronic foreigner card and a card reader, you can use it to log into the e-portal.
- Choose "eID and connected card reader" from the drop-down menu.
- Insert your eID or your foreigner's card in the card reader and press "log in"
- Then enter your PIN.
Via itsme
Please note that to log in through itsme, you must have an itsme account linked to your electronic identity card (eID). You can create an itsme account using your eID or your bank card.
- Select "sign up" at the top
- Choose the "itsme" option
- On the next page, enter your mobile phone number
- Then open your itsme app on your smartphone and confirm that you want to log in via your secret code or via your smartphone's fingerprint sensor.
Via digital key (security code via mobile app or SMS)
You can request a digital key and use it to log in to the e-portal via an accompanying app or via SMS. You can also apply for such a digital key as a cross-border worker, non-resident foreigner or resident foreigner with a residence document without certificates. If you cannot create digital keys yourself via eID or itsme, you can make an appointment to do so at the registration office of the Federal Public Service Policy and Support in Brussels or at a local registration office of a Belgian municipality. More information on how to make an appointment and which municipalities have a registration office can be found at Request and activation of digital keys | BOSA.
Login as intermediary or citizen (not yet on website)
If you want to log in as an intermediary or file handler, choose "an entity of the Flemish government" after logging in. If you want to submit an application as a citizen yourself, choose "natural person".
What happens after your application is submitted?
Your application has now been forwarded to NARIC-Vlaanderen. Once your payment has been received, your application will be checked. If everything is in order, your application will be accepted by NARIC-Vlaanderen. If more information is needed, we will contact you.
After acceptance of your application the real investigation starts.
- NARIC-Vlaanderen will check whether your diplomas are officially recognised according to the legislation of your country.
- The authenticity of your documents will also be checked.
- After this, the level of your degree in Flanders will be investigated.
- If you requested specific recognition, we will also check to which specific Flemish study certificate your diploma corresponds. We usually ask experts in the field for advice.
- After the investigation we provide you with a decision on the recognition of your diploma.
How can you pay?
- If the guidance tool shows that you are not exempt from paying the procedure fee, you can pay immediately when confirming your application. Click on "confirm and pay the application".
- You choose whether you wish to pay via online payment or bank transfer.
- If you choose online payment, you can choose between visa, Mastercard, Bancontact or Maestro. Via Bancontact, it is possible to pay via a QR code. After online payment, your application is immediately forwarded to NARIC-Vlaanderen.
- If you choose to pay by bank transfer, you will receive an overview of the details for the transfer (amount, account number, communication, ...). You can then click on "confirm payment". Your request will be forwarded to NARIC-Vlaanderen after your payment has been processed and received.
When can you submit a second application?
A second application for the same diploma
Do you want to submit more than one application to NARIC-Vlaanderen? You can submit a second application for the same diploma unless your first application is already pending.
If the previous examination of your diploma has been concluded by NARIC-Vlaanderen, it is possible to reapply for this diploma under certain conditions.
These are the conditions:
You can show that the legislation or the Flemish programme has changed in the meantime. This may change the decision of NARIC-Vlaanderen.
OR
You have additional documents that can change NARIC-Vlaanderen's decision.
If NARIC-Vlaanderen has already made a decision on your degree, you can use these additional documents to request a review of your application within 6 months of the decision.
If the 6 months have already passed or your application was closed without a decision, you can ask for permission to submit a new application.
How do you submit a second application?
The e-portal allows a new application for the same diploma only if you have permission from NARIC. To get permission, you need to send an e-mail to NARIC-Vlaanderen (naric@vlaanderen.be).
In the e-mail, you explain why you meet the conditions.
You attach evidence (changed legislation, new study programme of the Flemish programme, additional documents that may change the decision,...).
A second application for a different diploma
The e-portal blocks a second application for a different diploma if your applications are still being processed. In this case, you must send an e-mail to NARIC-Vlaanderen.
In the e-mail, please mention:
- your name,
- the file number of your first application,
- for which diploma you want to submit an application,
- via which procedure (level recognition or specific recognition) you wish to submit an application.
Attach a copy of the diploma you wish to be recognised.
If it is not necessary to wait for the decision on your first diploma, NARIC-Vlaanderen will authorise you to submit the second application.
Cost of your application
How much does an application cost?
- Level recognition: 90 euros
- Specific recognition: 180 euros
- Recognition of a doctorate: 300 euros
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an instruction for a transfer. You will receive this via e-mail.
For whom is the application free of charge?
The equivalence examination is free for those who at the time of the recognition application:
- Are an asylum seeker and can prove this with an annex 25 or 26 for asylum seekers from the Federal Public Service Home Affairs (IBZ) in combination with a valid certificate of immatriculation (orange card).
- Are a recognised refugee and can prove this with a residence card, identity card, or an attestation from the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CVSG).
- Are subsidiarily protected and can prove this with a residence card, an identity card or a certificate from the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CVSG).
- Receive an increased allowance and can prove this with a recent certificate from the health insurance fund.
- Are temporarily protected and can prove this with a certificate of temporary protection from the FPS Home Affairs.
- Are receiving a living wage from a CPAS or social assistance equal to a living wage and can prove it with a recent certificate.
- Are integrating and can prove it with an integration contract no more than 3 years old.
- Are seeking a job and can prove this by means of a route agreement or an agreement sheet from the VDAB, maximum 2 years old.
- Are looking for work and have an action plan or are participating in a guidance action by ACTIRIS or one of its Dutch-speaking partners and can demonstrate this with a guidance agreement that is no more than 2 years old.
If you belong to one of these groups, add the proof document to your file. You do not then have to pay for your application.
Documents of your application
- Do you need to provide original documents?
- Do these documents need to be legalised?
- Do you have to provide documents for all diplomas obtained?
- What if you cannot (or no longer) obtain a document?
Do you need to provide original documents?
No, copies or scans of your documents are sufficient. If your original documents are needed for an authenticity check, NARIC-Vlaanderen will contact you.
Do these documents need to be legalised?
No. Your documents do not need an apostille or any other form of legalisation.
Do you have to provide documents for all diplomas obtained?
You attach all documents for the diploma for which you are applying for recognition.
If you are applying for recognition of a secondary education diploma, it may be relevant to submit a diploma or certificate of higher education as additional information.
If you are applying for recognition for a higher education degree that follows another higher education degree (master's, second cycle...), you will also add all the required documents for the previous higher education degrees to your file.
If you apply for recognition for a doctorate (PhD), you add your diploma and your diploma supplement.
What if you cannot (or no longer) obtain a document?
If the educational institution can no longer provide a document, the institution must confirm this in writing.
If this document is not in Dutch, French, English or German, please also include a copy of a certified translation into Dutch, French, English or German with your application.
Recognition by NARIC-Vlaanderen or another authority
First check whether you can apply for recognition! Therefore, answer the questions in the guidance tool first.
You do not have to apply to NARIC-Vlaanderen if you:
- Want to continue studying at an educational institution in Flanders
- Want to practise a regulated profession with a diploma obtained within the EEA
- Your degree is automatically equivalent to a Flemish degree
Is your situation similar to one of the above descriptions? Then check out where you can go to have your diploma recognised.