1. Accreditation procedure:
In principle, an EU diploma is valid anywhere in the EU. The candidate resident (both EU and non-EU) must contact “Bureau Toelating van Buitenlandse Diplomahouders” (Bureau Admittance Foreign Diploma Holders, Ministry of Health). He/she must have a foreign doctor diploma, may not be involved in a criminal lawsuits, and have good comprehension of the Dutch language. After review, the bureau will issue a statement declaring the license valid in the Netherlands.
3. Differences in application procedure depending on country of origin:
4. Ratio between applicants and physicians who finally obtain a residency position:
This depends on the specialty. For some specialties there are waiting lists, and to be able to be put on the list, one must be interviewed. Important is one’s experience in medicine, experience in the specialty, and scientific experience.
Capacity per Specialty
Anesthesiology 75
Cardiology 48
Cardiothoracic surgery 11
Dermatology 30
Gastro-enterology 27
Surgery (General) 83
Internal Medicine 123
Otolaryngology 31
Pediatrics 39
Clinical Genetics 12
Clinical Geriatrics 16
Lung Diseases 35
Medical Microbiology 13
Neurosurgery 5
Neurology 56
Nuclear Medicine 9
Ophthalmology 40
Orthopaedics 55
Pathology 23
Plastic surgery 12
Psychiatry 117
Radiology 65
Radiotherapy 15
Rheumatology 14
Rehabilitation Medicine 20
Urology 26
Obst. & Gynecology 40
Total: 392
Social Medicine
Company Doctors 93
Insurance Medicine 57
Community & Health 4
Sports Medicine 8
Total Social Medicine: 162
5. Does everyone who passes the medical license examinations gain a residency position in a hospital?:
There is no medical license exam. After validation of the diploma, he/she must follow the same procedure as Dutch students (interviews etc).
6. Specialties in which it is most difficult to obtain a position:
Gynecology, Pediatrics, Surgery, and Internal Medicine.
7. Is there a waiting list for medical graduates who want to begin a residency?:
Depending on the specialty there are waiting lists. See explanation above.
8. Countries, except this one, in which the medical residency title is recognized:
9. Requirements for international physicians to be able to work in this country after completing their specialization there:
The procedure is the same as for Dutch students. He/she must register with the specialty’s registration committee after completion of the specialty. Costs: € 590 (for 5 years).
For educating and registering specialist there are different organizations:
1) The College for Family Practitioners and Nursing Home Doctors (CHVG) and the Family Practitioners’ and Nursing Home Doctors’ Registration Committee (HVRC).
2) The Central College of Medical Specialties (CCMS) en the Medical Specialists Registration Committee (MSRC)
3) The College for Social Medicine (CSG) and the Social Medical Doctor’s Registration Committee (SGRC).
The KNMG takes care of their administration and helps them with their tasks.
By the BIG Law specialist are seen as medical specialists, family practitioners, nursing home doctors, doctors for the mentally handicapped, and social medicine doctors. After finishing one of the specialties, specialists are registered with one of the registries. Registration is necessary to enable the specialist to use his by law protected and accredited title. The registration is valid for 5 years.
