Foreign Degree Recognition in Spain: Homologación or Equivalencia
Which procedure fits your degree or school certificate, what the ministry asks for, and why the cheaper-looking option may not let you work in your profession.
Foreign university degrees are recognized in Spain by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades through two online procedures: homologación, needed to work in a profession regulated in Spain, and equivalencia, which confirms a bachelor’s or master’s level. As of November 2026 each costs €166.50 (fee 107), and the legal deadline for a decision is six months.
Homologación or equivalencia: which one do you need?
The two procedures answer different questions, and the ministry is clear that equivalence has no professional effect.
| Homologación | Equivalencia | |
|---|---|---|
| What it gives | Recognition to a specific Spanish grado or máster that qualifies for a regulated profession | Recognition of academic level: grado (EQF 6) or máster (EQF 7), without naming a field |
| Who needs it | People who want to practise a profession listed in the annex of Real Decreto 889/2022 | Public-sector exams and contracts, some private employers, admission to further study |
| Lets you practise a regulated profession? | Yes, once granted (sometimes after extra training) | No |
| Spanish language | B2 certificate unless an exception applies | Not required |
| Fee as of November 2026 | €166.50 | €166.50 |
You can apply for both with the same degree, but each needs its own application and fee. Professional recognition for graduates of the European Higher Education Area can also go through a separate route under EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Specialist medical titles are handled by the Ministerio de Sanidad, not by the universities ministry.
Which professions need homologación?
Only professions regulated in Spain need it, for example early-years and primary teaching. The full list sits in the annex of Real Decreto 889/2022 and in the profession table on the ministry’s recognition pages, which also shows any extra documents each profession requires. Some decisions are conditional: the ministry may require an aptitude test or extra courses (requisitos formativos complementarios) before the homologation takes effect. In 2025 the ministry extended by two years the time allowed to pass those requirements for files still in progress.
Law is a special case. The ministry’s FAQ says homologation to practise as a lawyer (abogado) or court representative (procurador) is not possible with a foreign degree under current rules. The options are partial credit transfer (convalidación) at a Spanish university, or equivalence, which does not give access to the profession.
Which documents do you need?
- Proof of identity and nationality (passport, NIE or DNI).
- The degree certificate, or official proof that it was issued.
- An academic transcript showing the official length of the program in academic years, the subjects passed and the hours or ECTS credits of each. For equivalence, a European Diploma Supplement can serve.
- Proof of payment of the fee.
- For homologation only: a Spanish B2 certificate, unless you are a national of a Spanish-speaking country or studied at least 75% of the degree in Spanish. Early-years and primary teaching asks for C1.
- For homologation only, where relevant: proof that you meet the requirements to practise the profession in the country that issued the degree.
Documents not in Spanish need an official translation. Degree certificates and transcripts must be legalized or carry an apostille, except titles from EU, EEA and Swiss institutions. Our guide to sworn translations and the apostille explains how to get both right the first time.
How do you apply and pay?
- Open the procedure on the ministry’s electronic office, under the Secretaría General de Universidades. You can log in with a digital certificate or Cl@ve, or create a username and password.
- Enter your personal data exactly as on your ID. The ministry warns they cannot be changed after filing.
- Pay fee 107: by card or bank account inside the application (needs a Spanish NIF or NIE), with printed form 790-107 at a collaborating bank, or by transfer from abroad to the account the ministry publishes on its fee page.
- Upload all documents. Large scanned files may need compressing to fit the upload limits.
- Watch the electronic office for requests. A request for missing documents gives you 10 working days to reply and pauses the six-month clock.
The fee is not refunded if the application is rejected, lapses or is refused. Paying with form 790-107 requires a Spanish NIF or NIE in the applicant’s name, so people without one usually pay by transfer. Applications can be filed at any time of year.
How long does it take?
Real Decreto 889/2022 sets six months from the date the application enters the electronic register, with the clock stopped while you answer requests. The ministry reported resolving more than 85,000 homologation and equivalence files in 2025. It does not publish a guaranteed time for individual cases, so plan job applications or exams with margin.
What about school certificates?
Secondary school qualifications follow a different path, through the Ministerio de Educación, Formación Profesional y Deportes, using fee 079. Homologation of a foreign certificate to the Spanish Graduado en ESO carries no fee. For the Bachillerato (the upper secondary diploma), the ministry’s country pages list €49.76 as of November 2026; check the current amount on form 790-079 before paying. Partial studies at university are not recognized by either ministry: convalidación of subjects is requested from the university where you want to continue.
Bottom line
Decide first whether you need to practise a regulated profession; if not, equivalence is usually enough and avoids the language certificate. Order apostilles and sworn translations of both the diploma and the transcript before you open the application, because missing legalization is the usual reason files stall.
FAQ
Do I need an NIE to apply?
No. You can apply with a passport and add your NIE later. You do need an NIF or NIE to pay with form 790-107; see our guide on getting an NIE in Barcelona.
Is equivalence enough for a job in a private company?
For unregulated jobs, many employers accept the foreign degree as it is. Some ask for equivalence to confirm the level.
Can I work in my profession while waiting?
Not in a regulated profession. Until homologation is granted, you cannot practise it in Spain.
Does an EU degree need an apostille?
No. Titles from EU, EEA and Swiss countries are exempt from legalization, though a translation may still be required.
