Tuberculosis test

If you are an international student from a non-EU country, you are required by Dutch Immigration Law to have a tuberculosis (TB) test at a local GGD office (Dutch Health Service). Participating in TB testing is important for your health, but most importantly it is necessary for obtaining your (temporary) residence permit. Tuberculosis is a severe, but curable, disease and is found all over the world. It is much more common in the country where you are born than in the Netherlands, therefore you are tested for TB.

Do I need to take a tuberculosis test?

Depending on your nationality, you might be required to undergo a Tuberculosis test screening. The IND provides a list of countries that are exempt from the TB-test. Students from countries not on this list, are required to undergo the TB-test.

How will I be tested for tuberculosis?

You will be tested on tuberculosis by a chest X-ray. Students under 18 will have an injection on their hand instead.

Both men and women need to be bare-chested for the X-ray. This means you will have to remove all layers of clothing from your upper body.

I have already taken a tuberculosis test

If you are currently studying in an EU country and have already taken a Tuberculosis test, you are still required to take a TB test when you arrive in the Netherlands.

Procedure