Working as a Nurse in Belgium: Bureaucracy, French Language Requirements and How to Speed Up the Process
Belgium has become one of the most sought-after destinations for Portuguese and European nurses looking for better working conditions, financial stability, and career progression. However, before starting work in a Belgian hospital, it is mandatory to comply with a set of legal, bureaucratic, and language requirements.
In this article, we clearly and practically explain:
Which bureaucratic steps are required to work as a nurse in Belgium
Which documents are mandatory
What level of French is required
How long the entire process takes
And how it is possible to speed everything up, as happened with nurse Catarina, who completed the process in around 4 months, even starting from zero French
Is it possible to work as a nurse in Belgium as an EU citizen?
Yes. Nurses with EU nationality and an EU-recognised diploma can work in Belgium, but not automatically.
Despite the free movement of professionals within the European Union, nursing is a regulated profession, which means it is mandatory to obtain professional recognition from the Belgian authorities, in accordance with European Directive 2005/36/EC.
This recognition ensures that:
The diploma is valid
The training meets European requirements
The professional is legally allowed to practise in Belgium
Documents required to work as a nurse in Belgium
One of the most common questions is: “Which documents do I need to work as a nurse in Belgium?”
In general, the following documents are required:
Nursing diploma
European certificate of conformity
Criminal record certificate
Registration certificate from the Nursing Council / Professional Order in the country of origin
Certificate of good professional conduct
European identity document
European-format CV (Europass)
Certificates of professional experience (when applicable)
Important: almost all of these documents must be translated by a certified translator into French or Dutch, depending on the region of Belgium where you intend to work.
Professional recognition for nurses in Belgium: how does it work?
The professional recognition process is carried out by the competent Belgian authority, which evaluates:
Academic training
Course content
Professional experience
Compliance with European legislation
This step is mandatory, and without it, it is not possible to practise nursing in Belgium, even if you already have a job offer. The analysis period varies but usually takes between 6 and 12 weeks.
What level of French is required to work as a nurse in Belgium?
Another frequently asked question is: “Is it mandatory to speak French to work as a nurse in Belgium?” The answer is yes.
In the French-speaking regions of Belgium (where most job opportunities are located), hospitals generally require B2 level of French
This requirement is essential to:
Communicate with patients and their families
Write clinical notes
Understand hospital protocols
Work safely and effectively within a healthcare team
Many nurses underestimate this step, but language skills are one of the main success - or failure - factors in the emigration process.
French courses for nurses: why do they make a difference?
More and more nurses choose intensive French courses, especially when they already have a job offer or a planned start date.
Verbal Point, a specialised language academy, works in partnership with Vitae Professionals, offering:
Content focused on the healthcare and clinical context
Targeted preparation for interviews and clinical practice
Flexible schedules for professionals who are working at the same time
How long does the whole process take to work in Belgium?
This is another very common question. On average, the timeline is as follows:
Process stages
Document collection + certified translations: 2 to 6 weeks
Analysis by Belgian authorities: 6 to 12 weeks
Issuance of the licence to practise: 1 to 4 weeks
French language learning (in parallel): around 4 months
Average total time: between 3 and 6 months. When the process is well planned, several steps can be carried out simultaneously, significantly reducing the overall timeline.
Real case: how nurse Catarina completed everything in 4 months
Catarina is an excellent example of how organisation, motivation, and the right guidance make all the difference. Even starting from zero French, she managed to complete the entire process in approximately 4 months.
What made the difference in Catarina’s journey?
1. Starting an intensive French course immediately
As soon as she was approved in the interview with the Belgian employer, Catarina enrolled in an intensive French course at Verbal Point, fully aligned with the requirements of Belgian hospitals.
With daily commitment, she progressed quickly to the required level.
2. Handling bureaucracy in parallel
While learning French, Catarina:
Gathered all required documentation
Arranged certified translations
Prepared the complete application file
Submitted everything promptly to the Belgian authorities
Working on these two fronts simultaneously allowed the professional recognition process to be completed almost at the same time as the French course.
Start the bureaucratic process as soon as possible
Seek specialised support
If your goal is to work in Belgium, do not delay your project. With the right strategy, motivation, and guidance, the path can be much faster than you imagine.
Contact us and find out how we can help you take the next step in your international career.
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