Foreign Diploma Recognition in Portugal

Types of Diploma Recognition

Portugal offers different types of recognition, depending on your goals:

• Level Recognition (Reconhecimento de Nível): Acknowledges that your foreign degree corresponds to a certain level (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s). Used mainly for academic purposes.
• Specific Recognition (Reconhecimento Específico): Grants full equivalence to a specific Portuguese degree. Necessary for regulated professions like doctors, engineers, or lawyers.
• Automatic Recognition (Reconhecimento Automático): A simpler, faster process for degrees from certain countries or institutions with agreements with Portugal.

Required Documents

The exact documents may vary, but you will generally need the following. Always bring originals and certified copies.

• Official Diploma/Certificate.
• Official Transcripts with detailed course breakdown and grades.
• Course Syllabi/Curriculum (program details, workload, etc.).
• Passport or ID Card and NIF.
• Translations: All documents not in Portuguese (or English, for some institutions) must be translated by a certified translator.
• Apostille/Legalization: Documents must be apostilled (for Hague Convention countries) or legalized by a Portuguese consulate.

Step-by-Step Recognition Process

Applications are generally submitted to a Portuguese public university or polytechnic institute that offers a course equivalent to yours.

1. Choose Recognition Type & Institution: Decide if you need Level or Specific recognition and identify an appropriate Portuguese university.
2. Gather & Prepare Documents: Collect all necessary documents, ensuring they are properly translated and apostilled/legalized.
3. Submit Your Application: Submit your application via the university’s online portal or in person and pay the required fee.
4. Evaluation Process: The university’s scientific council will evaluate your application. This can take from a few weeks to several months.
5. Receive the Decision: You will be notified of the outcome and, if successful, receive the official recognition document.

Important Tips

• Start Early: The process can be lengthy. Begin well in advance of any deadlines.
• Contact Institutions Directly: Requirements can vary significantly between universities. Always confirm with your chosen institution.
• Certified Translations: Ensure your translations are done by a certified Portuguese translator.