On this page you will find information about applying for registration as a veterinarian in the Register of Veterinary Medical Practitioners with a diploma recognized by Europe or Switzerland. You need several documents for your registration. Make sure you have all documents complete before starting your application. This saves you time.
Last updated on May 7, 2025
Please note: Are you a veterinarian and was your diploma obtained outside the EEA or Switzerland? Or do you have a diploma for a profession other than veterinary medicine? Then this procedure is not for you. For the correct procedure, go to 'Registration with a foreign diploma - Procedure B'.
Fees
Apart from the postage costs for sending the application form and the required documents, application for registration in the Register of Veterinary Medical Practitioners is free of charge.
Procedure A
You can expand each step to learn more about this step.
It is important that you prepare your application well. This ensures that your request is processed quickly. Read the information about the documents you must provide carefully. Please ensure you have the following mandatory documents before submitting the application:
- A certified copy* of your recognized EEA diploma [Annex V]
- A copy of your valid ID;
- A copy of your CV (curriculum vitae) with a complete overview of your professional activities;
- An original CCPS document (Certificate of Current professional Status) less than 3 months old, from each country where you have worked as a veterinarian (more information further down this page);
If your European diploma is not on the list of recognized EEA diplomas, please continue reading below this step-by-step plan.
* A certified copy is a copy of an original document bearing an original stamp and signature or initials of a notary, or the person at the institution that issued the document.
Have you made all the necessary preparations? If so, download the Application form Veterinary Register (PDF, in English) to start your application. If you are in possession of DigiD you can also fill out the form online.
Submit the application form along with the required documents (evidence). They must be sent by post to:
CIBG
Diergeneeskunderegister
PO Box 3174
6401 DR Heerlen
The Netherlands
You will be notified if any documents are missing.
Once your application and the required documents have been received, we will assess your application. It can take up to 12 weeks to process an application for acceptance and/or registration in the Register of Veterinary Medical Practitioners.
The application for acceptance and/or registration will in any case be refused if, as a result of an irrevocable disciplinary or criminal law judgement, you are no longer allowed to carry out any veterinary activities.
When your application is approved and processed, you are registered. Your registration will be published on this website and is open to the public.
If your application is rejected and you do not agree, you can object to this. On the page Objections and applications for review you will find information about how you can lodge an objection.
Is your European qualification not on the list of recognized EEA diplomas?
If you obtained your diploma as a veterinary surgeon (veterinarian) within the EEA or Switzerland but your diploma is not on the list of recognized EEA diplomas [in Dutch], then there are two options:
- You can enclose an additional declaration from the certifying competent authority with your application. The declaration must state that your qualification meets the minimum European requirements. This is a Certificate of Conformity.
Or
- You can enclose an additional declaration from the competent authority which states that your qualification does not meet the minimum European requirements, but that you have worked as a veterinarian for 3 consecutive years during the past 5 years (5 consecutive years during the past 7 years for certain countries). The declaration must state that you have lawfully practised the profession in question for at least 3 of the last 5 years, or 5 of the last 7 years prior to the declaration. The certificate will be valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
Questions?
Call our information line: +31 (0)70 340 5700, operated Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 17.00 hours. Or send an email to: info@diergeneeskunderegister.nl.