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Education

Recognition of foreign qualifications

Homologación y equivalencia de títulos extranjeros

What it is

The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Valida-TE portal) explains how to recognise a foreign university degree in Spain: homologation for regulated professions, or a declaration of equivalence to Grado or Máster with academic and administrative effects. Both are filed online only, cost 166.50 euros, and require official translations and legalised documents (except EU/EEA/Swiss documents).

Official wording
La homologación habilita para el ejercicio de una profesión regulada en España.

Official sources

Where it applies
All of Spain

Official information

Official sources

Go to the official website: Recognition of foreign degrees (Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities)Go to the official website: Declaration of equivalence (Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities)

When

Notice: since 22 October 2026 the e-office of the General Secretariat for Universities has been closed because of a technical incident, and applications for homologation and equivalence are suspended until it is restored. They are not accepted through the General Electronic Registry either. Meanwhile you can prepare the legalisation and translation.

Official wording
La solicitud de los procedimientos de reconocimiento de títulos universitarios extranjeros (homologación, declaración de equivalencia, acreditación y reconocimiento por la Directiva) estarán también suspendidos hasta el restablecimiento de la sede electrónica.

Official sources

Steps

  1. Step 1: Choose homologation or equivalence

    Homologation is for practising a regulated profession (those in the annex to Royal Decree 889/2022, such as doctor, nurse, architect or teacher). If your degree does not correspond to a regulated profession, or you will not practise it, apply for a declaration of equivalence at Bachelor's or Master's level: it is valid for further study, public-sector exams or showing an employer what it corresponds to.

    Official wording
    La homologación habilita para el ejercicio de una profesión regulada en España.

    Official sources

  2. Step 2: Legalise the documents in the country of origin

    Academic documents are legalised in the country where they were issued: with the Hague apostille if that country signed the Convention, or through diplomatic channels if not. The authority's signature must be legalised, not a mere certified copy: an apostilled certified copy is not valid.

    Official wording
    Si lo que se presenta apostillado es una compulsa, no tendrá validez para el proceso de homologación o equivalencia.

    Official sources

  3. Step 3: Official translation into Spanish

    Documents not in Spanish need an official translation: by a sworn translator appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or by an official translator from an EU country. If the official translator is from outside the EU, their signature must be legalised. The translation must include the legalisations.

    Official wording
    Cuando se trate de una traducción realizada por un traductor oficial extracomunitario, se exige que la firma del traductor esté debidamente legalizada.

    Official sources

  4. Step 4: Pay and apply on the e-office

    Applications are made only through the e-office (currently suspended, see notice). You can then check the status of your file there. The document list below is the one on the equivalence page.

    Official wording
    El procedimiento de solicitud se tramita exclusivamente a través de la sede electrónica.

    Official sources

Documents

Your ticks are saved on this device only.

🖨 Printable bilingual document card (you can show it at the counter)

Fees

The fee is €166.50: online payment, with form 790-107 at collaborating banks, or by bank transfer.

Official wording
Las solicitudes de homologación y declaración de equivalencia precisan del abono de una tasa de 166,50 euros.

Official sources

FAQ

There is an agreement with China. Is recognition automatic?

No. Spain has agreements with several countries, including China, but this does not mean recognition is automatic or that you can skip applying for homologation or equivalence.

Official wording
Tenga en cuenta que la existencia de estos acuerdos bilaterales no implica que el reconocimiento se realice de forma automática o que se pueda prescindir de solicitar la homologación o equivalencia.

Official sources

What are the minimum requirements for equivalence?

Bachelor's: official degree of at least three years full-time (180 ECTS) giving access to a master's. Master's: official degree of at least one year full-time (60 ECTS) giving access to a doctorate. Doctoral equivalence is handled by universities.

Official wording
Grado: Título universitario oficial en el país de origen, de un mínimo de tres años de estudio a tiempo completo (180 ECTS o equivalentes).

Official sources

Related procedures

Terms used on this page