How to Get a Foreign Degree Recognised in Portugal

Living in Portugal with a foreign degree? You may need to have your qualification officially recognised to continue studying, apply for certain jobs or meet professional requirements. The process depends on whether you completed secondary school, a university degree or a professional course, and choosing the correct route can save you time and money.

Portugal has separate procedures for school certificates, university degrees and certain professional qualifications. Here is how to apply, which documents you may need and where to start, based on official Portuguese government guidance available on 28 October 2026.

What does equivalência mean in Portugal?

Many immigrants use the Portuguese word equivalência when they want their foreign education recognised in Portugal.

However, the correct procedure depends on the qualification. School certificates are normally handled through the school system, while foreign university degrees follow a separate higher-education recognition process.

Before applying, identify your situation:

• Primary or secondary school: You may need equivalence to a Portuguese school level, such as the 9th or 12th year.
• Bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree: You need to follow the official higher-education recognition procedure.
• Professional qualification: If you completed vocational or technical training abroad, a different recognition route may apply.
• Regulated profession: You may also need permission or recognition from the authority responsible for your profession.

The Portuguese government explains these separate routes in its official guide for migrants and education in Portugal.

How to get a foreign school certificate recognised

If you completed your education up to secondary-school level abroad, you can generally apply for equivalence at a basic or secondary school in your area of residence.

This is the procedure to consider if you want your foreign school education recognised as equivalent to a Portuguese school qualification.

Documents you may need

According to the official government service, prepare the following:

• Your official school certificate showing the years or levels of education completed.
• Authentication of the certificate through the appropriate consular or embassy authorities, or an Apostille of The Hague where applicable.
• A Portuguese translation of the documents.
• A valid identification document, such as your passport or residence permit.
• The equivalence application form provided by the school.

For secondary-school certificates, make sure your documents show the subjects studied and final grades. The school may also require information explaining the grading system and the minimum and maximum marks used in your country.

How to apply

Step 1: Contact a basic or secondary school in your area of residence and explain that you want equivalence for foreign school qualifications.

Step 2: Ask which documents are required for your particular country and qualification.

Step 3: Prepare the authenticated documents and translations, complete the application form and submit everything requested.

Step 4: Keep your application details and respond if the school asks for additional information.

The Portuguese government lists a 30-day processing period for this service. The time needed in an individual case may depend on whether the application is complete and whether further documents are required.

You can check the official requirements here: Request equivalence of foreign basic and secondary education qualifications.

How to get a foreign university degree recognised

If you hold a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from another country, you should follow Portugal’s higher-education recognition procedure.

The legal framework is established by Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of 16 August. The system provides three types of recognition: automatic recognition, level recognition and specific recognition.

The former Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES) published guidance on these procedures, and its official website now directs users to the Institute for Higher Education recognition portal.

The three types of recognition

1. Automatic recognition — Reconhecimento Automático

This route applies to certain foreign degrees and diplomas that meet the official eligibility requirements.

It is not available for every degree or university. Check the official list before applying; a qualification that seems similar to a Portuguese degree does not automatically qualify.

2. Level recognition — Reconhecimento de Nível

This procedure assesses whether your foreign qualification corresponds to a Portuguese academic degree at the relevant level, such as a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.

It may be suitable when you need official confirmation of the academic level of your qualification.

3. Specific recognition — Reconhecimento Específico

This procedure assesses your qualification against a corresponding Portuguese degree in a particular field.

The assessment may consider the subjects studied, course structure, duration and other academic details. It is important to check which procedure is appropriate for the purpose of your application.

The official higher-education recognition guidance explains the differences between these routes. You can review the requirements through the IES recognition portal.

Step-by-step: Applying for university-degree recognition

Unlike school equivalence, university-degree recognition is handled through the relevant higher-education procedure.

Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official portal: Open IES – Recognition of Foreign Degrees and Diplomas.
2. Check your qualification: Find out whether your degree is eligible for automatic recognition.
3. Choose the correct procedure: Determine whether you need automatic, level or specific recognition.
4. Check the institution’s requirements: Depending on the route, the application may be assessed by the competent authority or an eligible Portuguese higher-education institution.
5. Prepare your documents: Gather your diploma, academic records and any other documents required for your application.
6. Check translation and authentication rules: Requirements depend on your documents and the institution handling your case.
7. Submit the application: Follow the instructions on the official system and pay the applicable fee.
8. Keep your confirmation: Save your application reference and respond to any requests for additional information.

Do not assume that every university accepts the same documents or charges the same amount. The official guidance advises applicants to check the requirements and fees of the institution they intend to use before submitting an application.

Do you need an Apostille and a Portuguese translation?

This is an important question because preparing documents incorrectly can cause avoidable delays.

For school-level equivalence, the government service requires foreign school certificates to be authenticated through the appropriate consular or embassy authorities or an Apostille of The Hague, where applicable, and translated into Portuguese.

For university-degree recognition, the rules are different. According to the official DGES guidance, documents originally issued in English, French or Spanish generally do not need translation. Documents in other languages may need a certified translation if the institution assessing the application requires one.

The competent institution may also accept a translation into English, French or Spanish instead of Portuguese in the circumstances described in its guidance.

Before paying for an Apostille, consular authentication or translation, check the requirements for your specific application.

How long does recognition take, and what does it cost?

Processing times depend on the type of recognition and whether the application is complete.

The official higher-education recognition guidance gives the following maximum deadlines for applications that contain all the required information and documents:

Recognition type	Maximum deadline
Automatic recognition	30 working days
Level recognition	90 working days
Specific recognition	90 working days

These deadlines apply to the relevant decision or recognition document after receipt of a duly completed application. They should not be treated as a guarantee of the total time needed to prepare documents or resolve missing information.

Fees vary. The cost of university-degree recognition depends on the recognition type and the institution responsible for assessing the application.

For school equivalence, the government says fees may vary between schools. Contact the relevant school or institution for the current cost before applying.

Official source: DGES/IES guidance on recognition of foreign degrees.

What is Centro Qualifica, and can it help?

You may have heard about a Centro Qualifica when asking how to recognise foreign qualifications in Portugal.

These centres support adults who want to improve or obtain school and professional qualifications. However, they are not a general substitute for the procedure used to recognise a foreign university degree.

The National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training (ANQEP) explains that authorised Centros Qualifica can receive and technically assess applications to recognise certain foreign professional qualifications, including qualifications that may correspond to levels 2, 4 or 5 of Portugal’s National Qualifications Framework.

Centros Qualifica also offer RVCC — Reconhecimento, Validação e Certificação de Competências. This process assesses skills and knowledge gained through work, life experience and other learning, and can help eligible adults obtain a Portuguese school or professional qualification.

RVCC is not automatic equivalence for a university degree that you have already earned abroad.

If you are unsure which route applies to you, contact a Centro Qualifica and explain the exact qualification you hold. You can also consult ANQEP’s official information on foreign qualification recognition and its RVCC guidance.

Will recognition allow you to work in Portugal?

Not always. Academic recognition and permission to practise a profession are two different things.

For jobs that are not regulated, an employer may assess your qualifications according to the job requirements. For a regulated profession, however, you may need recognition or authorisation from the competent professional authority before you can work.

This is particularly important for people seeking to work in professions where specific legal or professional requirements apply.

The Portuguese government advises people who want to work in a regulated profession to contact the authority responsible for that profession. The process depends on the occupation and where the qualification was obtained.

Read the official Portuguese government guide to professional qualifications before assuming that academic recognition alone is enough.

Final advice: Start with the right authority

If you obtained your education outside Portugal, do not begin by paying for translations or legalisation without checking what your application requires.

For a foreign school certificate, contact a school in your area of residence. For a university degree, use the official higher-education recognition portal to identify the correct procedure; for a professional qualification or regulated occupation, check the relevant authority’s requirements.

The most important step is to identify the right recognition route before submitting your documents. It can help you avoid unnecessary costs, reduce delays and understand exactly what you need to do to use your qualifications in Portugal.