Search

Procedure for doctors (with medical degree) wanting to continue their training or to do part of their training to be a specialist

In order to exercise your profession in Belgium (temporarily or definitely), you need to obtain a Belgian specialist RIZIV-number.

Step 1: validation of your medical degree

Your medical degree must be validated by the ‘Agentschap Zorg en Gezondheid’ (Agency for care and health of the Flemish government).

Exception: if you obtained your medical degree in a country outside of the EEA, you require the recognition of the equivalence of your degree from NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre of the Government of Flanders.

  • One of the conditions for NARIC to recognise the equivalence of your diploma is that you are sufficiently fluent in Dutch. The level required is European level B2.
  • More info regarding NARIC:

Step 2: visum

Following the recognition of your medical degree, the FOD (Federal Public Service Health) will automatically issue your visum.
It allows you to exercise the healthcare profession that your medical degree entitles you to in Belgium.

Exception: if you requested recognition of the equivalence of your degree from NARIC, you will have to apply for a visum from the FOD yourself.

Step 3: registration with the ‘Orde der artsen’

Next, you need to enroll at the Nationale Raad (national council of the order of doctors).

After approval, you receive the information to register with the ‘Orde der artsen Vlaams-Brabant’ (Order of the doctors of Flemish Brabant).

Step 4: registration with the RIZIV

You will have to send the following documents to the ‘Agentschap Zorg & Gezondheid’:

Agentschap Zorg & Gezondheid
Koning Albert II-laan 35 bus 38
1030 Brussel

Documents to be delivered to obtain the RIZIV number of candidate specialist

Documents to be provided by doctors who are authorized to practice medicine in Belgium and who follow their specialist training in an EU Member State and wish to complete part of that training in Belgium, in order to obtain a RIZIV number of candidate specialist for that period:

  • Registration with the Order of Physicians (Orde der Artsen)
  • Document issued by the Member State (Ministry of Health) confirming that the candidate is following a specific specialization in his own country and is granted permission to complete a part of that training in Belgium during the specified period.
  • A document delivered by the Belgian traineeship master (recognized by the FPS Public Health) which states:
    • That he / she accepts to train you
    • The specialty in which he / she will train you
    • The hospital where you will complete your internship
    • The period in which you will complete your internship

Once all documents are complete, they will be sent to the RIZV which will issue a temporary RIZIV number as a ‘doctor in training to become a specialist’.

Need more help?

Timing

3 months

Last edit: 11 july 2024