Diploma Recognition in Belgium: Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels

She submitted her documents to NARIC-Vlaanderen, waited two months - then found out she lives in Wallonia and should’ve applied to a completely different authority. Sound familiar? Belgium doesn’t have a single diploma recognition system - each region has its own procedure, its own authority, and its own rules. Three linguistic communities means three entirely different paths to getting your Ukrainian diploma recognized. Let’s figure out exactly where you need to apply and what you’ll need.

Why Belgium has three different recognition systems¶

Education in Belgium isn’t a federal responsibility - it belongs to the linguistic communities. That means three separate bodies handle foreign diploma recognition:

• Flanders (Dutch-speaking community) - NARIC-Vlaanderen
• Wallonia and Brussels (French-speaking community) - Service des Équivalences under the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles
• German-speaking community (9 municipalities in the east) - Ministerium der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft

Each has its own website, document requirements, fees, and processing times. The good news: a recognition decision from any community is valid across all of Belgium. You don’t need to redo the process if you move from Flanders to Wallonia. But you do need to apply to the authority of the community where you live or plan to work.

There’s one exception: if you’ll be working for a bilingual employer (Dutch and French), you can choose whether to apply to the Flemish or French-speaking NARIC.

Flanders: NARIC-Vlaanderen¶

If you’re living in Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Leuven, or anywhere else in Flanders - NARIC-Vlaanderen is your go-to. It’s the most digitized option of the three.

Two types of recognition¶

NARIC-Vlaanderen offers two types of equivalence:

• Niveauerkenning (level recognition) - confirms your diploma is equivalent to a Flemish bachelor’s or master’s level. This is faster, cheaper, and works for most situations - job hunting, further studies, registering qualifications
• Specifieke erkenning (specific recognition) - compares your program to a specific Flemish diploma. You’ll rarely need this unless you’re in a regulated profession (doctors, architects, teachers)

For most Ukrainians, level recognition is the way to go. It confirms your education level without tying it to a specific field.

Documents you’ll need¶

• Copy of your passport or ID
• Copy of your diploma (both sides)
• Transcript of grades (diploma supplement) - this is mandatory
• Translation of documents if they’re not in Dutch, French, English, or German

For a Ukrainian diploma, you’ll almost always need a translation. NARIC accepts translations in any of the four languages - so you can get your documents translated into English, and that’s perfectly fine. This is convenient because finding a Ukrainian-to-English translator is much easier than finding one for Ukrainian-to-Dutch.

Costs and processing times¶

Prices are indexed annually in January per the Code of Higher Education, so check the exact amount at naricvlaanderen.be.

How to apply¶

Online only - through the application wizard on the NARIC-Vlaanderen website. They don’t accept postal or email applications. The wizard is available in Dutch, French, and English, and it’ll help you determine which type of recognition you need and which documents to submit.

After submitting, you’ve got 6 months to send any missing documents. If you don’t make that deadline, your case gets closed.

Wallonia and Brussels: Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles¶

Living in Liège, Namur, Charleroi, or Brussels? Then you need the Service de la Reconnaissance Académique et Professionnelle des diplômes under the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. Long name, simple concept - it’s the French-speaking equivalent of NARIC.

What is équivalence¶

Équivalence (equivalence) is an official document establishing the correspondence between your Ukrainian diploma and a Belgian higher education diploma. Essentially, the state is saying: “Yes, this diploma matches our bachelor’s/master’s level.”

There are two subtypes:

• Level recognition - confirms your diploma corresponds to a bachelor or master level. Faster and simpler
• Specific degree recognition - compares your program content to a specific Belgian diploma. Takes longer because the Equivalence Commission gets involved

Documents you’ll need¶

• Color copy of your diploma (both sides) in the original language + sworn translation into French or English
• Copies of transcripts for all years of study in the original language + sworn translation
• Proof of fee payment

Important: you need a sworn translation (traduction assermentée) here. A regular translation won’t cut it. In Belgium, that means a translation by a translator from the National Registry with a digital signature. However, for diploma equivalence they often accept sworn translations from other EU countries too - check directly with the Service des Équivalences.

Costs and processing times¶

Ukraine is on the ODA country list, so even without temporary protection the cost for Ukrainians is €150. And if you have temporary protection in Belgium - the procedure is completely free.

Processing time: from when you submit a complete file - up to 4 months for the Equivalence Commission’s opinion, plus up to 40 days for the final decision. In practice, that’s 4-6 months total.

How to apply¶

You can submit by registered mail or in person by appointment at: Rue A. Lavallée 1, 5th floor, 1080 Brussels. Contact: equi.sup@cfwb.be, tel. 02 690 89 00.

If you’re planning to enroll at a university in Wallonia or Brussels - pay attention to deadlines. For studies starting in September, documents must be submitted by July 15, and payment made by the same date.

German-speaking community: Eupen and surroundings¶

If you’re in Eupen, Sankt Vith, Kelmis, or any of the 9 municipalities in the German-speaking community in eastern Belgium - you’ll deal with the Ministerium der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft. It’s the smallest community (about 80,000 residents), but it still has its own recognition procedure.

You submit your Gleichstellung (equivalence) application to the Fachbereich Ausbildung und Unterrichtsorganisation at: Gospertstraße 1, 4700 Eupen. The procedure is less formalized than in Flanders or Wallonia, and the number of applications is much smaller - so decisions typically come faster.

Documents need to be translated into German. Since you’re living near the German border, you could use a translation from a sworn translator in Germany, though it’s best to confirm this directly with the Ministry.

Detailed information: ostbelgienbildung.be.

Free recognition for Ukrainians under temporary protection¶

This is a big deal that many people don’t know about. If you have temporary protection status in Belgium (A card or Annexe 15), diploma recognition is free in all three communities.

In Flanders, the first application is free for people under temporary protection, refugees, and asylum seekers. It’s also free if you’re registered as a jobseeker with VDAB or Actiris, or if you’re taking integration courses.

In Wallonia and Brussels, it’s free for refugees and people under temporary or subsidiary protection. You just need to provide proof of your status.

Plus, Ukraine signed the Lisbon Recognition Convention - which means Belgian authorities are obligated to recognize Ukrainian diplomas unless there’s a substantial difference from the local equivalent. And the European Commission issued specific guidelines for fast-track recognition of Ukrainian qualifications after 2022.

Translation language: don’t get it wrong¶

One of the most common mistakes - translating into the wrong language. This is Belgium, everything depends on the region.

NARIC-Vlaanderen is the most flexible - they accept documents in four languages. For Flanders, you can order an English translation - it’s often the simplest and cheapest option. For Wallonia and Brussels - French or English. For the German-speaking community - German only.

A sworn translation of your diploma and supplement costs between €100 and €250, depending on document volume and language pair. One Ukrainian woman shared on a forum: “The translation of my diploma and the supplement with course descriptions cost me about €250. It was expensive, but without it they wouldn’t even look at my application.”

You can order a sworn translation online - you don’t have to find a translator specifically in Belgium if the authority accepts English translations.

Comparison: Flanders vs Wallonia vs German-speaking community¶

Regulated professions: an extra step¶

Diploma equivalence confirms your education level. But if you’re a doctor, nurse, architect, engineer, teacher, or in any other regulated profession - diploma recognition alone isn’t enough. You’ll also need to get a professional license from the relevant authority.

For medical professions - SPF Santé publique (federal level). For teachers - the relevant community’s Ministry of Education. For engineers and architects - professional associations.

Diploma equivalence is the first step, not the final one. After you get the equivalence decision, you’ll apply to the body regulating your profession with that decision and additional documents.

FAQ¶

How much does it cost to get a Ukrainian diploma recognized in Belgium?¶

In Flanders (NARIC-Vlaanderen), level equivalence costs around €90, specific equivalence around €180. In Wallonia and Brussels - €150 for Ukrainian diplomas (€200 standard). For people under temporary protection, the procedure is free in all regions.

Do I need a sworn translation of my diploma for recognition in Belgium?¶

Yes, if your diploma isn’t in one of the accepted languages (Dutch, French, English, or German for Flanders; French or English for Wallonia). For Ukrainian documents, translation is always required. It must be a sworn translation by a registered translator.

How long does diploma recognition take in Belgium?¶

In Flanders - 2 to 4 months for level equivalence. In Wallonia and Brussels - up to 4 months for the Commission’s opinion plus up to 40 days for the decision, so 4-6 months total. In the German-speaking community - usually 1-3 months.

Is a recognition from one region valid across all of Belgium?¶

Yes. An equivalence decision issued by any of the three communities is recognized throughout Belgium. You don’t need to go through the process again if you move from Flanders to Wallonia or vice versa.

Is a Ukrainian diploma automatically recognized in Belgium?¶

No, there’s no automatic recognition - you need to go through the equivalence procedure. However, Ukraine is a member of the Lisbon Recognition Convention, which obliges Belgian authorities to recognize Ukrainian qualifications unless there’s a substantial difference from local ones. Since 2022, the EU has also recommended fast-track procedures for Ukrainian diplomas.