Starten als verpleegkundige

Launch your career as a nurse

After years of study and perseverance, you have earned your nursing degree. You can hardly wait to get started as an independent nurse. But wait a minute: before you can start in an independent profession, you have to take care of a number of administrative matters. To make sure you don't forget anything, we have drawn up a handy step-by-step plan.
Start now as nurse
Your step-by-step plan

Your visa and certification as a nurse

Step 1: your visa and certification as a nurse

As a starting nurse you need a visa to start working. And that first step happens completely automatically. Isn't that great! As soon as you have obtained your diploma, your details will be automatically transferred to the Healthcare Agency via a database. They will send you your official certification by post and will inform the FPS Public Health. They, in turn, will send you your nursing visa.

Your NIHDI number

Step 2: your NIHDI number

Have you received your certification and visa? Then you can now submit your application for registration as a nurse to the NIHDI. After registration you will receive a personal NIHDI number. You need this so that your patients can be (partially) reimbursed for the treatments you carry out.

Surf to the NIHDI website, download the form and mail it completed to the NIHDI. After checking your certification and visa data, they will send you your NIHDI number. 

Your obligations as a self-employed person

Step 3: your obligations as a self-employed person

As a nurse you practice an independent profession. In other words, you are self-employed and that comes with some obligations:

  1. You are not liable for VAT, but you do have to register in the CBC register of the Crossroads Bank for Companies (CBC). You will then receive a unique company number with which government agencies, suppliers and customers can identify your company. In addition, we will activate your VAT number for you free of charge (worth 75.02 euros).
  2. You are legally obliged to join a recognised social insurance fund such as Acerta. Just like people in paid employment, you pay social contributions to the government. The exact amount is calculated by your social insurance fund. By paying this quarterly, your social security such as health insurance, pension accrual and child benefit rights are guaranteed. You pay an administrative cost to your social insurance fund for the management, and at Acerta this is the lowest on the market.

Create your own safety net

Step 4: create your own safety net

We cannot predict when and how our lives will be turned upside down. To cope with unexpected setbacks such as an accident or long-term illness, a solid safety net is indispensable. But also for later, when you say goodbye to the care sector after many years to enjoy your retirement.

Choose guaranteed income insurance from the start. Thanks to this insurance, you will receive an extra monthly payment on top of your health insurance payment. And that comes in handy to pay for all the ongoing expenses.

Do not start as a self-employed nurse without professional liability insurance with civil liability. Hopefully you'll never need it, but if an occupational error does happen, you'd better be extra well insured.

Not compulsory, but highly recommended: a supplementary pension on top of your statutory pension and personal pension savings plan. With a (Social) VSPSS (Voluntary Supplementary Pension Scheme for the Self-Employed) you save for later and enjoy a tax benefit today. Win-win! In addition, as a self-employed person, you can also use your NIHDI allowance to finance your supplementary pension. With Acerta's Life Pension Plan - NIHDI you also benefit from financial protection in case of occupational disability, invalidity and maternity.

Get assistance

Did you know that Acerta's business office is ready to take care of your start-up as a self-employed nurse? From your enrolment in the CBC and your membership of the Acerta social insurance fund, to your additional insurances and pension savings options. So you are certainly not alone! And this through your entire career.

Would you like an effortless start as a self-employed doctor?

Acerta will be happy to arrange it for you online. Do you prefer to make an appointment via video call or at the office? You can too!

Start now as nurse