The recognition of foreign qualifications is a process that can be done at the academic or professional level.
At the academic level, it is intended that, through this process, a foreign citizen has all the rights inherent to the ownership of the corresponding Portuguese academic degree or diploma of higher education.
Equivalence / Recognition of qualifications, studies and diplomas from foreign educational systems for Basic or Secondary Education can be requested by any Portuguese or foreign citizen living in Portugal.
Recognition of Academic Degrees and Higher Education diplomas can be done in 3 different ways depending on the applicant’s need:
- Automatic Recognition: intended for people who want equivalence of a foreign higher education degree or diploma, which are identical to the Portuguese degree. It is requested in Public Higher Education Institutions or in the Directorate-General for Higher Education.
- Level Recognition: intended for those who want to recognize, by comparability, a foreign higher education degree or diploma as having a level corresponding to an academic degree or diploma of Portuguese higher education. Requested in Portuguese Public Universities and Portuguese Public Polytechnic Institutes
- Specific Recognition: intended for people who want equivalence of a foreign higher education degree or diploma, through a case by case analysis in a specific area of training, field of knowledge or specialty. It is requested in Portuguese public universities and Portuguese public polytechnic institutes.
Regarding the recognition of professional qualifications, it is necessary that the profession to be practiced in another country be regulated. A regulated profession is defined as one that requires specific training and examinations to be exercised. In order to recognize your profession, you can access the EU database, to check if the profession is regulated and if you are not, you should go to a national contact point for professional qualifications.
Documents to be provided,
Equivalence / Recognition of qualifications, studies and diplomas of foreign educational systems for Basic or Secondary Education:
- Certificates of school qualifications successfully completed (in a foreign language)
- Application
- Photocopy of the Identity Card / Citizen Card (or other identification document);
Automatic Recognition, of Level or a Specific case:
- Photocopy of the diploma issued by the foreign higher education institution, to prove the level of education you intend to recognize;
- Degree or diploma registration number delivered by the foreign higher education institution;
- Diploma or certificate issued by the foreign higher education institution, in original version, proof of ownership of the degree or diploma for which recognition is required.
(Other specific documents may be requested)
Registration fees:
Equivalence / Recognition of qualifications, studies and diplomas of foreign educational systems for Basic or Secondary Education: It is free.
Automatic Recognition: The amount to be charged by the Directorate-General for Higher Education is € 27.60
Level Recognition: Depends on the Higher Education Institution where you intend to apply for Recognition.
Specific Recognition: Depends on the Higher Education Institution where you intend to apply for Recognition.
Duration:
They can be requested at any time of the year, during the opening hours of the services.
Appeal procedures:
Request for equivalence, leveling or recognition of qualifications, studies and diplomas of foreign educational systems of basic and secondary education: The application is requested at the establishment of basic or secondary education corresponding to the area of residence and returned again after due completion.
Eventual specimens of the necessary forms
Ministério da Educação Equivalências Estrangeiras Ensino Básico e Secundário Requerimento
Base de dados de profissões regulamentadas da Comissão Europeia
External Link
DGE – Reconhecimento de Qualificações Estrangeiras
ACM – Como obter reconhecimento de qualificações estrangeiras
