The recognition of qualifications is one of the procedures that raises the most questions when coming to Spain, particularly if your aim is to work in a regulated profession, continue your studies or consider settling here in the medium term. In this section, we answer the most frequently asked questions so that you know when it is necessary, when it isn’t, and how it fits into a broader immigration plan.

If you’re coming from abroad, one of the first things you’ll come across is the term ‘recognition’. It sounds complicated; it seems as though you’ll have to go through a lot of red tape and paperwork. But don’t worry: although the process involves several steps, it’s much simpler than it seems at first glance!

To help with this, we’ve compiled the following list of answers to the most frequently asked questions on the subject. Let’s get started!

Q: Who is eligible for this procedure?

It applies to anyone holding an officially recognised degree or diploma obtained within the framework of foreign higher education systems.

Q: What is the deadline for submitting applications?

The application period is open indefinitely.

Q: What types of qualifications does this apply to?

It only applies to official university degrees corresponding to studies that have already been completed. For non-university qualifications, please contact the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. You can find further information at the following web link:

Q: What is the difference between applying for the recognition, accreditation or equivalence of higher education qualifications?

Q: I hold a specialist qualification in Health Sciences. Am I eligible for this procedure?

The recognition of the professional status of specialist qualifications in Health Sciences from non-EU countries falls within the remit of the Ministry of Health. You can find the information at the following web link:

Q: I have a qualification comprising two years of higher education following secondary education. How can this be recognised in Spain?

Qualifications lasting less than three years are not usually recognised as equivalent to Spanish university qualifications, although you can apply for partial recognition of your university studies at a Spanish university in order to continue your studies. You can also apply for the recognition or validation of non-university studies through the education authorities of the autonomous communities of Catalonia, Galicia or the Basque Country, depending on where you live, or through the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.

Q: If I have a degree awarded in accordance with the Bologna Process by a university in the European Higher Education Area, do I need to apply for recognition or equivalence for it to be recognised in Spain?

Yes. Foreign degrees are not valid in Spain. If you want your university degree to be recognised in Spain, you have several options:

• If you wish to practise a regulated profession in Spain (Annex to Royal Decree 889/2022 of 18 October), the procedure you must follow is homologation.
• If your university studies give you access to other professions, you can apply for academic recognition of your degree through the equivalence procedure for foreign higher education degrees at bachelor’s or master’s level.

Q: Can I have university modules recognised that I haven’t yet completed?

In order to have modules from your current university studies recognised so that you can continue your studies in Spain, you must contact the university to which you are submitting this application, as it is responsible for this procedure.

Q: What does the recognition of qualifications involve?

If your aim is to practise a regulated profession in Spain that is listed in the annex to Royal Decree 889/2022 of 18 October, you must apply for recognition, as a declaration of equivalence regarding qualifications and academic level has NO professional implications.

You can apply for recognition for the professions listed below:

Q: What does the declaration of equivalence to the academic level of a bachelor’s or master’s degree entail?

Equivalence is the recognition of an academic level of a bachelor’s or master’s degree required for civil service examinations or public sector contracts in the case of foreign qualifications; private companies sometimes request it too to confirm the academic level.

Q: Can I apply for both recognition and equivalence at the same time for the same qualification?

Yes, this is possible, by submitting a separate application for each procedure.

Q: Can I apply for recognition and partial validation of the same course at a university at the same time?

No. If you have already submitted an application for recognition, you can only apply for partial validation of your studies if that application is rejected.

Q: Can I apply for equivalence and recognition of the same qualifications at a university at the same time?

Yes.

Q: I would like my qualifications to be recognised as an official Spanish university degree that grants access to the regulated profession in Spain of teacher of Compulsory Secondary Education and Sixth Form. What should I do?

As admission to the master’s degree programme leading to these professions in Spain requires proof of proficiency in a specific discipline, before applying for this recognition you should bear the following in mind:

• If your studies consist of two qualifications (undergraduate and postgraduate), you will need to submit a separate application for each: a first application for academic equivalence at undergraduate level for your first qualification (if it is a qualification that grants access to a regulated profession in Spain, you may apply for its recognition) and, for your foreign postgraduate qualification, an application for recognition as equivalent to the Spanish qualification that grants access to the regulated profession of teacher in Compulsory Secondary Education and the Bachillerato.
• If your studies consist of a single qualification covering both specialised training and pedagogical and didactic training, you must also submit two separate applications: the first to apply for equivalence to a bachelor’s degree and a second application for recognition of equivalence to the Spanish qualification granting access to the regulated professions of teacher in Compulsory Secondary Education and Upper Secondary Education.

Q: When can you apply for recognition?

Royal Decree 889/2022 of 18 October comes into force on 8 November. You may submit your application from that date onwards.

Q: If I have already submitted an application under Royal Decree 967/2014, of 21 November. Can I submit a new application?

Yes. You can submit a new application for recognition and/or a declaration of equivalence for the same qualification, provided you meet the following conditions:

• You have not yet been notified of the hearing procedure for your previous case.
• The new application must include a request to withdraw your previous application; the withdrawal form can be found both on the website and on the SEDE portal.

In these cases, you will be exempt from paying the fee, depending on the circumstances and provided that the previous payment was made correctly.

It is advisable to include proof of payment for the previous application.

Q: I do not have an electronic certificate. Can I submit the application?

Yes. You can submit the application for recognition or a declaration of equivalence via the Ministry of Universities’ Online Portal (you will need to log in).

PLEASE NOTE: You must ensure that the personal details you provide in the application match those on your identity document. Once the application has been saved and submitted, these details cannot be amended.

Q: What documents do I need to submit with my application for recognition or equivalence of my university degree?

The documents do not need to be legalised, as you will be required to make a sworn statement confirming that the documentation submitted is original.

• They must be official and issued by the competent authorities.
• Where necessary, original academic documents must be duly legalised. The legalisation must appear on the original document.
• Where applicable, they must be accompanied by the corresponding official translation into Spanish, carried out by any Spanish diplomatic or consular mission abroad, by the diplomatic or consular mission in Spain of the document’s country of origin, or by a sworn translator duly authorised or registered with a professional association in Spain.

Q: Where can I find a list of official sworn translators?

You can find them at the following web link.

Q: How can I pay fee 107 (form 790)?

When you submit your application via the Ministry of Universities’ online portal, you will be guided through the process of paying fee 107, either online or using form 790. You will find all the information you need to make the payment at the following link.

ESSENTIAL: In all cases, you must identify the payment with the applicant’s full name for the recognition and/or declaration of equivalence.

Please ensure you do not make the payment until you have checked the procedure you wish to carry out. Once the fee has been paid, it will not be refunded, except in cases where the error is attributable to the Administration.

Q: Can the fee be paid from outside Spain using a passport?

Yes, payment of the fee from abroad must be made by bank transfer to the Ministry of Universities’ restricted account at the Bank of Spain for the collection of fees from abroad:

IMPORTANT: The Bank of Spain does not accept payments in person at its branches.

• IBAN: ES16 9000 0001 2002 5310 8022
• BIC: ESPBESMMXXX

The amount you pay must be the full fee, excluding any transfer charges or other bank fees. If the amount transferred is not the full fee, your application will not be processed. You must provide the full name of the person APPLYING for recognition and/or a declaration of equivalence.

Q: Can I pay the fee using Form 107 without having a NIE or NIF?

You must provide a Spanish NIF or NIE, and the form must include the name of the person APPLYING for recognition and/or a declaration of equivalence.

Q: How can I obtain a certificate proving my proficiency in Spanish?

The certificates accepted are those issued by the Instituto Cervantes or by the Official Language Schools.

Q: How can I check the status of my application for recognition or equivalence via the online portal?

You can check the status of your application via the Ministry of Universities’ online portal. This method allows you to check the status of your application from any computer connected to the internet at any time of day, whilst ensuring strict compliance with your rights regarding the protection of personal data.

Q: I have received a notification requesting further information regarding my application processed under Royal Decree 967/2014 of 21 November. How can I submit the requested documents?

Only in this case is it possible to submit the documents via the Secretariat.

Q: Do the new declarations of equivalence include the branch of knowledge and the specific field?

No, the declarations of equivalence issued under Royal Decree 889/2022, of 18 October, only specify the academic level of a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Q: What should you do if your qualification is not recognised? Possible alternatives

If, in the end, your qualification cannot be recognised, that does not mean you are left without options. There are several alternatives:

• Declaration of equivalence: if your qualification does not grant you access to a regulated profession, you can apply to have it recognised for academic purposes. This allows you, for example, to enrol on a master’s degree in Spain.
• Continue your studies here: many universities offer you the possibility of having certain modules recognised and completing your degree in Spain to obtain a Spanish qualification directly.
• Supplementary training: in some cases, you can take additional modules or sit specific exams to ensure your CV better meets Spanish requirements.
• Explore other career paths: even if you do not achieve recognition, your experience and training can be highly valuable in the private sector, in research or in fields where recognition is not mandatory.

The important thing is not to get discouraged. Recognition is one route, but not the only one. Depending on your profession and your future plans, there are alternative paths you can take to continue developing your career in Spain.

In many cases, recognition is not a one-off procedure, but rather a step within a broader strategy that includes study, work or residence.