When you decide to go to live and work in Spain, it is important to know how to get your diplomas recognized and the steps taken to receive an equivalence of skills. The European Union has allowed the free movement of citizens since its creation in 1993: which means that you also have, theoretically, the right to practice your profession in each of the member countries and to have your degree certified. However, as you can imagine, the theory is simpler than the practice. Indeed, there are diplomas, professions and skills that may not be recognized in Spain, or that require to proceed with the steps to make them recognize and obtain equivalences in Spanish terms. If you want to work once installed in Spain, the question of the validation of your diplomas will certainly arise. Because it is important to be able to prove to your future employer or your clientele that you have the necessary knowledge, Lisbob has gathered for you the essential information on the recognition of diplomas and the equivalence of skills in Spain, called certification of título. How to obtain an equivalence or recognition of Spanish diploma and have your skills recognized in Spain? What are the steps to take and organizations to contact to have your degree recognized? Lisbob, the assistant of expats in Spain, tells you all about applying for and obtaining equivalence of diploma and recognition of skills in Spanish land.
How to obtain a diploma equivalence and have your skills recognized in Spain?
Concept of recognition and diploma equivalence in Spain
Since the ratification of the Lisbon Convention, the notions of recognition and equivalence of diploma and training have been introduced in Spain, called homologación de título. Before starting any evaluation procedure to have your foreign degree recognized, it is therefore essential to know the purpose and purpose for which recognition is sought from the Spanish education and university system. Among other things, it is necessary to take into account the different procedures in force in the Spanish legislation and the different bodies responsible for this type of request.
Homologation of a European diploma in Spain
The accreditation of título is the academic recognition that allows to start a cycle of studies in Spain. This step is necessary in order to be able to receive a complete equivalence of a European diploma for a Spanish diploma. There is no equivalence granted automatically and each case is studied case by case by the competent Spanish authorities in terms of diplomas.
It is up to the applicant for the equivalence to find and indicate the Spanish diploma corresponding to the one he already has. The authorities will not do the research for you, that is why it is important to learn well in advance about the Spanish education and university system in order to constitute the best application for diploma equivalence possible and receive a positive answer.
Documents and supporting documents to provide:
ID ;
Original diplomas (no true copy) ;
Program of study of the diploma (s) obtained ;
Academic Certificate ;
Sworn translation of each document that is not in Spanish. Here is the official list of sworn translators in Spain by clicking here.
Be careful when you decide to request a diploma equivalence in Spain : a good preparation is the key to a successful project
The application for registration and foreign diploma equivalence in Spain must be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Science, under the expertise of the University Coordinating Council, whose main office is located in Madrid. In order to obtain the equivalence or the homologation of a level of study or a foreign diploma in Spain, it is necessary to contact the ENIC NARIC Center:
NARIC Center of Spain
NARIC España
Ministerio de Educación, Cultura and Deporte
SG of Títulos y Reconocimiento de Cualificaciones
C / Torrelaguna, 58 - 28027 Madrid
Phone: 00 34 91 506 55 93
Fax: 00 34 91 506 57 06
E-mail: naric@mecd.es
http://www.mecd.gob.es/r/naric
Contact: Isabel Tolosana / Irene Ortiz
Lisbob advises you to go there directly (or in the nearest agency) to be sure that your application is well received. Another solution, sending by registered mail. Once the application for recognition of European diploma received by the Spanish educational and university authorities, it takes a period of 8 to 10 months for it to be processed.
Professional recognition of European diplomas
The procedure of reconocimiento de títulos a profesional efectos (Professional recognition of European diplomas) allows the validation of the competences of a person to exercise a profession which is regulated in Spain. The European Union allows anyone who has his professional skills to enjoy the same rights as professionals in the same field trained in Spain.
Depending on the profession in question, contact the relevant authorities. For example, physicists and chemists must apply to the Ministry of Industry, notaries at the Ministry of Justice. In order to obtain this professional recognition, the essential condition is to be able to prove that the applicant is in good standing and able to carry out his activity in his country of origin. In order to be complete and admissible, the file must include elements that differ according to the type of profession in question.
Documents to provide in case of unregulated profession (Draughtsmen, Engineers ...) :
Nationality certificate ;
Certified photocopy of the diplomas in question ;
Evidence and proof of professional experience for a period of 2 years minimum ;
Sworn translation of each document that is not in Spanish.
As you will have understood, one must have at least 2 years of professional experience in one's field of activity in order to qualify for the professional qualification of a foreign diploma.
Getting a diploma equivalence in Spain can be a huge bonus on your CV
Documents to provide in case of a regulated profession (Architects, Lawyers ...):
ID ;
Certified photocopy of the diplomas in question ;
Sworn translation of each document that is not in Spanish.
Once the recognition is obtained the applicant accesses the same professional colleges as in his country of origin (Order of Doctors, Chartered Accountants ...).
You can have your skills for diplomas recognised in Spain
Partial validation of European studies
The partial validation of European studies is called convalidación parcial of estudios in Spanish. This is an exemption from taking courses for a training and a school or university year that you would already have. Thanks to the reform of European credits, it is possible to continue and extend your studies in Spain without having to start all the years again (secondary education) or even to pass all the subjects for university creditos.
To make the request it is necessary to apply to the host institution in Spain presenting a file of request of partial validation of European studies, convalidación paricial of estudios.
Documents and supporting documents to provide:
ID ;
Certificate of success for the subjects studied (grade report) ;
Program of the subjects to be validated ;
Academic Certificate ;
Sworn translation of each document that is not in Spanish. Sometimes it is possible to be asked for official recognition of all documents. Here is the official list of sworn translators in Spain by clicking here.
If you have to provide officially recognized documents (legalizado) then you have two possibilities :
Have the documents recognized by affixing the Apostille of the Hague Convention. This involves applying the stamp of the Hague Convention on the diploma, the certified photocopy or the certificate of achievement. The Court of Appeal closest to the training establishment in question is responsible for this recognition;
To recognize the documents not diplomatic way. This implies successive validations and in the order of the Ministry of Education of your country of origin, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country of origin, from the Spanish Embassy in your country of origin and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid. In other words, the first solution is simpler.
