The Equivalence of diplomas within European Union

So you struggled some years to get your bachelor diplomas. You worked hard, you gave a tone of exams and now you want to use your diploma overseas. But how you can equivalent your bachelor diploma abroad?

Preparing your documents for equivalent your diplomas

As an EU citizen, you can equivalent your diplomas within European Union and use it for either continue your studies or work.

Whichever is your goal, you need a sum of papers in order to equivalent your diploma.

Equivalence of study diplomas – documents needed before going abroad

Depends on the country where you would need to equivalent your diploma, the process of equivalency is either made by the Ministry of Education or by an University recognized in that country.

The documents needed can differ from country to country or authority which processes your request, so check their websites and give some calls prior to departure.

Here is a list of papers you would need to equivalent your degrees:

• DNI or/and Passport
• The diplomas that you want to equivalent and transcript of records containing to which you will apply the Apostille from Hague
• The birth certificate to which you will apply the Apostille from Hague on original
• The defalcation of every study material (analytic programs) given by your home University to which you will apply the Apostille from Hague

Note that after it was adopted the Convention from Hague on 05.10.1961, the Apostille in EU is obligatory in order to use a document abroad.  

Where you apply the Apostille from Hague on your documents?

Depends on the country where you are living, you can apply the Apostille from Hague either on your City Hall or through the Embassy of your country.

The types of documents to which you can apply the Apostille are the following:

• Marital status documents
• Documents which attests the componence of the family
• Documents which attests the residence and citizenship
• Documents related to an qualification (certificates and diplomas)
• Documents related to an qualification in the medical sector
• Documents related to the work activity
• Study documents (baccalaureate diploma, bachelor diploma and their extras
• Medical documents
• Documents of the Public Administration central or local
• Extracts of the registers kept by an organ from the public administration

The process of application consists in a request form that you need to submit with the documents for which you request the Apostille, followed by paying a specific amount of money. If you apply the Apostille through the Consulate or Embassy, the cost will be higher due to the consulate taxes.

A small advice: apply the Apostille in your home country to reduce the cost of them.

The University or the Ministry of Education might ask you for more papers abroad, so be aware and ask them exactly which documents you need!

Before applying the Apostille of Hague on diplomas and extras

In order to apply the Apostille on study documents such as diplomas, supplements of diplomas, analytic programs or transcript of records, you need to get the visa of the Ministry of Education in your home country.

This is a stamp which attests the authenticity of your document and that it’s recognized (provided by a recognized University) in your home country.

For getting this visa, you need to submit the documents along with a request on which you will specify For applying the Apostille of Hague which means that you request it in order to obtain the apostille.

Note: check the price and method of payment for obtaining the visa from the Ministry of Education prior to submitting your request.

Translation of your documents

“It’s not the fault of a country that doesn’t speak your language, it’s your fault that you don’t speak the language of that country”.

In order to be able to submit abroad your request for equivalency of diplomas, you need to translate your documents in the language of the country where you will use them. Eg. Spanish for Spain, English for English-speaking countries, German for Germany and so on.

The translation can be done in your home country or through the Embassy or Consulate (depends which would be closer to the place where you will live).

I recommend to translate your papers in your home country. To do so, you will need to find an authorized translator which will apply his stamp on the translated copy of your document. After that, the translator will go to the Public Notaries’ Chamber for supra legalization.

Another small advice: You can find a cheap authorized translator and go yourself to the Public Notaries’ Chamber in order to supra legalize your documents. This will reduce a lot your costs.

Apostille of Hague applied on the translations

Any official document that you will use abroad must have the Apostille of Hague applied. This includes also the translated copies, supra legalized by the Public Notaries’ Chamber.

Accordingly to the Convention from Hague (1961), the Apostille can be applied only on official documents (originals).

The translated copy legalized at the Public Notaries’ Chamber becomes an authentic document in your home country and original due to the translation!

Equivalence of diplomas – When you go abroad

Now that you have all the documents prepared, you can go abroad and submit your request for equivalence of diplomas. Note that every country is different and you might face different difficulties along the process.

For example, in Spain, in order to equivalent your diploma, you need to obtain first your NIE (numero de identificar de extranjeros) from the police. So, don’t expect to go directly to the University or Ministry of Education in the same day of your arrival.

Equivalence of  diplomas – Where you submit your request?

There are 2 types of professions which you can equivalent: regulated and not regulated.

For the professions which are regulated (exists a special law which regulates the access in that domain), the equivalency can be requested only to a University accredited. Such professions are: law, medical professions, etc.

The professions which are not regulated, the equivalency can be requested to the Ministry of Education.

Where these information useful? Have you encountered any problems in your equivalency process? Write them down in the comments below.