BIG registration: Working abroad and keeping your registration

As a physiotherapist or other healthcare provider, you must be registered in the Netherlands in the BIG register to be able to practice your profession. The BIG register provides patients with certainty that they are dealing with qualified and expert healthcare providers. In addition, healthcare providers must re-register every five years and demonstrate that they are active in their field. This keeps healthcare in the Netherlands at a high level.

But what if you work temporarily abroad? Many healthcare providers are concerned about their BIG registration when they return to the Netherlands. Good news: luckily keeping or re-registering your BIG registration is easier than you think!

How do you keep your BIG registration?

To maintain your BIG registration, you must meet one of these requirements:

1. Work experience requirement: In five years, you must have worked 2,080 hours as a physiotherapist, in the Netherlands or abroad. This amounts to an average of 35 hours per month (or 9 hours per week). This means that you can already reach the standard if you work full-time for one year!
2. Training requirement: If you do not meet the work experience requirement, you can maintain your BIG registration by following a training program.

More information about the training requirement can be found here (or the official BIG website).

Include work experience from Switzerland

Work experience in Switzerland can count towards your BIG re-registration, as long as you meet a number of conditions:

• Individual health care: Your work must take place within the healthcare sector.
• Field of study and level: The activities must fall within the area of expertise and at the appropriate level of your profession.
• Legal register: You must be registered in the legal register in Switzerland. That is why it is important to quickly recognize your diploma when Swiss Route Cross (SRK) to arrange.

Important documents for re-registration

When you re-register BIG with work experience abroad, you must provide certain supporting documents. Make sure you keep the following documents properly:

• Work contracts
• Payslips
• Job descriptions
• Letters of reference
• Confirmation of the recognition of your diploma at the SRK

There will also be a Certificate of Good Standing (CCPS) requested, a statement that you are authorized to work in Switzerland. You can request this from the SRK.

Important to know

Maintaining your BIG registration while working in Switzerland is doable as long as you comply with the hours and registration requirements. Plan your administrative matters properly and keep all important documents. With a little bit of preparation, you can work carefree abroad and keep your BIG registration.