Degree Recognition and Equivalence: Your Credential Is Valid Here

The Value Isn't Lost at the Border

You have invested years of effort, money, and dedication to obtain your university degree. It is your professional calling card, your identity. Arriving in Spain and discovering you cannot practice what you studied is devastating. But your degree does not lose value; it simply needs the proper official recognition.

"Your education knows no borders. Recognition is the bridge that connects your academic past with your professional future in Spain."

Recognition vs. Equivalence: Which One Do You Need?

• Recognition: Official recognition that your foreign degree is equivalent to a specific Spanish degree. Necessary for regulated professions (doctors, lawyers, architects, nurses, etc.) and for competitive examinations.
• Equivalence (Declaration of Equivalence): Recognition of the academic level of your studies for professional purposes, without equating it to a specific degree.

The process is filed with the Ministry of Universities and requires legalized documentation, official translations, and justification of the curriculum completed.

Your Recognition Plan

At Legal & Cloud, we master this complex procedure:

1. Academic Assessment: We analyze your degree and curriculum to determine the most appropriate pathway (full recognition, partial recognition, or equivalence).
2. Legalization and Translation: We coordinate the Hague Apostille or diplomatic legalization and sworn translations.
3. Submission and Follow-up: We manage the online application with the Ministry and follow up until resolution.
4. Submissions: If there are requests for additional information or denials, we prepare the necessary legal remedies to defend your right to recognition.

The Destination: Practice Without Limits

Imagine returning to your profession with full rights. Imagine signing as a doctor, designing as an architect, or defending cases as a lawyer in Spain. Recognition restores your professional identity.

Procedure Information

📋 Differences: Recognition vs Equivalence

Recognition:

• For: Practice of regulated professions (Doctor, Nurse, Architect, Lawyer, etc.).
• Effect: Grants the same professional and academic effects as the enabling Spanish degree.
• Requirement: Substantial correspondence between foreign and Spanish training.

Equivalence (academic level):

• For: Access to public employment (competitive examinations) or practice of NON-regulated professions (Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Business Administration, etc.).
• Effect: Recognizes that your degree has the level of an official Bachelor's or Master's degree in Spain (MECES 2 or 3).
• Does not enable: Practice of regulated professions.

Validation:

• For: Continuing studies at a Spanish university.
• Management: Directly at the destination university.

📄 Required Documentation

Common Documents:

• Certified copy of identity document (Passport/ID).
• Certified copy of the Degree for which recognition/equivalence is requested.
• Certified copy of the Academic Certificate (grades, subjects, duration).
• Payment of the fee (Form 790 code 107).
• Proof of competence in Spanish (if applicable).

Formal Requirements:

• Legalization: All foreign documents must be legalized (diplomatic route) or apostilled (Hague Convention).
• Translation: Documents not in Spanish must be accompanied by official sworn translation.

Process:

1. Online application (Ministry of Universities Electronic Office).
2. File review.
3. Draft resolution (hearing to the interested party).
4. Final resolution.
   • Grant.
   • Denial.
   • Conditional grant (complementary training requirements).

Timeframes:

• Legally: 6 months.
• Current reality: May exceed 12-18 months.

Don't leave your degree in a drawer. Contact us and let's fight together for its official recognition.

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More information about the official recognition process at the Ministry of Universities.

Official Information: Ministry of Universities - Recognition