​Belgium has become one of the most attractive destinations for European Union nurses, especially for those looking to build a career in the Operating Room (OR). With strong investment in technology, a growing demand for specialised professionals, and excellent working conditions, the country stands out as a solid opportunity for those seeking stability, professional recognition, and career progression in this field.

In this article, we explain how the operating room works in Belgium, what is required, how careers evolve, and how a nurse coming from another EU country can access instrumentation or anaesthesia roles.

1. The Operating Room in Belgium: how does it work?

The Belgian operating room model is highly organised and recognised for its modernity. Hospitals (public, private, and university hospitals) follow strict protocols and operate with well-structured multidisciplinary teams.

Key features:

• Modern surgical equipment and advanced technology;

• Strong focus on patient safety and quality of care;

• Multicultural teams with well-structured integration processes;

• Procedures standardised according to European guidelines;

• Strong investment in continuous professional training;

• Efficient and clearly defined workflows.

This environment allows nurses to develop quickly, with proper supervision and support, ensuring a smooth and effective adaptation to the new country.

2. Roles of the Operating Room Nurse

Roles are clearly defined and similar to those in other European healthcare systems.

As a Circulating Nurse

• Preparation of the operating theatre;

• Management of equipment and non-sterile materials;

• Direct support to the patient and the surgical team;

• Coordination with complementary hospital services.

As a Scrub Nurse (Instrumentation)

• Preparation and management of sterile instruments;

• Direct assistance to the surgeon;

• Strict maintenance of sterility;

• Control of surgical materials and counts.

Anaesthesia Support

Some nurses specialise in anaesthesia support, performing tasks such as:

• Preparation of anaesthetic equipment;

• Assisting the anaesthetist during procedures;

• Basic patient monitoring (according to protocol);

• Collaboration in ensuring patient safety.

3. Requirements to work in the Operating Room in Belgium

Nurses coming from European Union countries benefit from automatic recognition of their nursing diploma.

Essential requirements:

• Nursing diploma issued in the EU;

• Local professional registration (supported by the recruiting entity);

• Previous operating room experience (valued but not mandatory);

• Knowledge of French (B2 level required for registration purposes);

• Ability to adapt to strict clinical protocols;

• Strong communication skills and team spirit.

4. Why are Operating Room nurses so valued in Belgium?

The demand for specialised OR nurses has grown rapidly due to:

• Significant shortage of professionals: Belgium faces a structural lack of specialised nurses.

• Advanced technology requiring specific skills: Belgian operating rooms are highly developed both technically and technologically.

• Competitive salaries: often between €3,500 and €4,500, increasing with experience and specialisation.

• Contractual stability: most placements are permanent contracts directly with hospitals.

• Real and fast career progression: especially for professionals with prior EU experience.

5. How can a nurse from outside Belgium access instrumentation or anaesthesia roles?

An EU nurse can specialise and work as a scrub nurse or in anaesthesia, but there is a structured pathway.

Phase 1: Initial integration

All newly arrived nurses start with:

• Supervised observation;

• Working as a circulating nurse;

• Adaptation to protocols and technical language.

Phase 2: Internal training (minimum of 2–3 years of experience)

Belgian hospitals offer structured on-the-job training programmes, including:

• Mentoring by senior nurses;

• Progressive skill development;

• Continuous validation of competencies.

Phase 3: Transition to Instrumentation or Anaesthesia

Access to Instrumentation

There are two possible paths:

• With prior experience → fast progression (1-3 months)

• Without specific experience → internal training until autonomy (6-12 months)

Access to Anaesthesia

Requires:

• Specific internal training;

• Competency validation;

• Strong communication skills with anaesthetists.

No prior specialisation is required before arriving in Belgium — training is provided locally.

6. Career progression and specialisation in the Operating Room

The operating room nursing career in Belgium is one of the most structured in the EU, offering stable professional growth through:

Technical specialisations

• Orthopaedics;

• Neurosurgery;

• Digestive and advanced laparoscopic surgery;

• Cardiothoracic surgery;

• Traumatology;

• Emergency surgery.

Hierarchical progression

• Senior Scrub Nurse / Circulating Nurse;

• Specialty Reference Nurse;

• Deputy Head of the Operating Room;

• Head of the Operating Room.

Additional training (often funded by hospitals)

• Perioperative management;

• Surgical safety;

• Sterilisation and infection control;

• Clinical leadership;

• Medical-surgical technologies.

Academic pathway

• Internal trainer;

• Mentor for new professionals;

• Collaboration with higher education institutions.

7. Advantages of working in the Operating Room in Belgium

• Cutting-edge technology and high-quality work environment;

• Contractual stability;

• Real career progression and professional recognition;

• Guaranteed continuous training;

• Multicultural teams with strong team spirit;

• Good quality of life and moderate cost of living outside Brussels.

If you are interested in building a career in the operating room, Vitae Professionals can support you throughout the entire process until you secure an opportunity in Belgium. We are currently recruiting Operating Room Nurses to work in some of the best university hospitals in Belgium.

What can we do for you?

• Design a structured career plan with the necessary support;

• Prepare you for interviews and hospital selection processes;

• Develop your French language skills up to B2 level;

• Handle professional registration in a simple and secure way;

• Support your fast adaptation to life and clinical protocols in Belgium;

• Help you integrate confidently into the team and operating room.

Let’s take the final step together and turn this opportunity into a reality for your career. Working in the operating room in Belgium means joining highly qualified teams, working with cutting-edge technology, and benefiting from excellent conditions for professional growth.

Don’t waste time! Apply now for our Operating Room Nurse positions in Belgium and discover all the details. Contact us if you would like to speak directly with our team.