Step · Education
Get foreign diplomas and degrees recognized in Spain
A foreign university degree gets official effect in Spain through the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities: homologación, needed to work in a regulated profession listed in RD 889/2022, or a declaration of equivalencia to the academic level of grado or máster, which has no professional effect. School-level qualifications are handled by the Education ministry. Partial studies are recognized (convalidación) by the university where you continue.
- Why it matters
- Needed to work in regulated professions, for public-sector jobs and exams, and to continue studying. Documents from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must be legalized (apostille or diplomatic chain) and officially translated first.
- When
- You need a foreign diploma or degree to have official effect in Spain.
- How long it takes
- Non-university: 3 months from complete application (2021 instructions).
- Official page
- Homologación de títulos extranjeros de educación superior (Valida-TE)
- Last checked
- 20 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 4 steps, what to bring (5 items), and tips and what to watch for, with every official source.