Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

In Portugal, since 1st January 2019, the recognition of foreign higher education degrees is regulated by the Decree-law no. 66/2018, 16th August. The application of this Decree-Law is regulated by the Normative Order no. 33/2019, 25th January.

Types of Recognition

Presently, there are three types of recognition in Portugal

Automatic Recognition

The foreign higher education degree or diploma is generally recognised when its level, goals and nature are identical to the Portuguese degrees of licenciado (graduate), mestre (master) and doutor (doctorate) or the short cycle professional higher technical diplomas. Eligible degrees are listed in the degrees and diplomas determined by the commission for the recognition of foreign higher education degrees and diplomas and must have been awarded by an institution recognised or accredited by its own country’s competent authorities. You can check at DGES’ webpage if your diploma may be subject of automatic recognition.

Level Recognition

It allows the recognition by comparison, on a case by case basis, of a foreign higher education degree or diploma as having a level corresponding to a Portuguese higher education degree or diploma.

The level recognition is submitted to an institution that awards a degree or diploma in the same field. You can check, at ULisboa’s webpage, our training fields.

The level recognition can also be established by precedence, in the cases that the degrees recognised share the same elements simultaneously:

a) awarded by the same institution;
b) have the same course designation;
c) have the same degree;
d) have the same duration or number or credits.

Specific Recognition

It allows the recognition by comparison, on a case by case basis, of a foreign higher education degree or diploma as having a level corresponding to a Portuguese higher education degree or diploma in a certain training field, branch of knowledge or specialty.

The specific recognition is submitted to an institution that awards the same degree or diploma in the same training area. You can check, at ULisboa’s webpage, our training fields.

This recognition can be conditional upon approval in knowledge assessment procedures.

As part of the specific recognition, degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions following a training with 300 to 360 credits and a course curriculum between 10 and 12 curricular semesters, which correspond in Portugal:

a) in duration and syllabus content, to an integrated study cycle conducting to a degree of Master, can be recognised to the degree of Mestre (Master);
b) in syllabus content, to a degree of Licenciado (Graduate), are recognised to the degree of Mestre (Master), insofar the holder of that academic degree has successfully obtained approval in an original scientific dissertation or project work specifically carried out for this purpose, or a professional internship subject to a final report, with a duration equivalent to 30 curricular units.

For more info on this subject please go to Universidade de Lisboa

Presenting Documents

For automatic recognition or precedence level recognition:

1. One of the following documents:

a) Copy of the diploma or document issued by the foreign higher education institution proving ownership of the degree or diploma for which recognition is required, authenticated by the competent authorities for the purpose;
b) Simple copy of the document issued by the foreign higher education institution that includes the degree or diploma registration number, in the case of foreign higher education institutions that have centralized records that can be consulted publicly through a unique identifier;
c) Diploma or certificate issued by the foreign higher education institution, in the original version, proving ownership of the degree or diploma for which recognition is required. All documents issued by the foreign higher education institution may be presented in digital format, provided that their authenticity is unequivocal and they are presented in a non-editable format and with a qualified electronic signature affixed by the competent authorities of that institution.

2. Declaration by the applicant proposing the CNAEF and FOS classifications of the training he/she wants to be recognized. You can consult the CNAEF and FOS training area tables on this page, in the documents available in the menu on the right.

3. The processing of the order is conditioned to the presentation of the identification document. Alternatively, you can submit a declaration in which you authorize the sending of a copy of the identification document for the purpose of issuing the recognition registration certificate, accompanied by a copy of the document duly traced or annulled.

 

If you want to request the conversion of the final classification autonomously from recognition or registration already carried out:

1. Document(s) issued by the foreign higher education institution indicating the final classification attributed to the academic degree or diploma for which recognition is required and the final foreign classification scale containing the minimum classification corresponding to approval on that scale and maximum rating.

2. Copy of the certificate of prior recognition or diploma registration.

 

For specific or level recognition without precedence:

1. One of the following documents:

a) Copy of the diploma or document issued by the foreign higher education institution proving ownership of the degree or diploma for which recognition is required, authenticated by the competent authorities for the purpose;
b) Simple copy of the document issued by the foreign higher education institution with a degree or diploma registration number, in the case of foreign higher education institutions that have centralized records that can be consulted publicly through a unique identifier;
c) Diploma or certificate issued by the higher education institution foreign language, in the original version, proof of ownership of the degree or diploma for which recognition is required.

All documents issued by the foreign higher education institution may be presented in digital format, provided that their authenticity is unequivocal and they are presented in a non-editable format and with a qualified electronic signature affixed by the competent authorities of that institution.

2. Declaration by the applicant proposing the CNAEF and FOS classifications of the training he/she wants to be recognized. You can consult the CNAEF and FOS training area tables on this page, in the documents available in the menu on the right.

3. Document issued by the foreign higher education institution containing the curricular units in which the applicant was approved, and which led to the obtaining of the degree or diploma for which recognition is requested, as well as the respective syllabus, the duration of the studies leading to obtaining the degree and the respective final classification.

4. In the case of a degree corresponding to the master's level, a digital or scanned copy of the defended dissertation or project work, or the internship report.

5. In the case of a degree corresponding to the doctoral level, a digital or digitized copy of the thesis defended, except when it has been replaced by other research works, works or artistic achievements, in which case the documents must be delivered in digital or digitized format. appropriate elements to know the content of the research carried out and the grounds that explain the design and elaboration process, the research capacity, and its framework in the evolution of knowledge in the domain in which it operates.

6. The processing of the order is conditioned to the presentation of the identification document. Alternatively, you can submit a declaration in which you authorize the sending of a copy of the identification document for the purpose of issuing the recognition registration certificate, accompanied by a copy of the document duly traced or annulled.

The documents referred to in 4 and 5 are waived in situations where their presentation was not required to obtain the academic degree that they wish to see recognized, and the applicant must prove this situation through a document issued by the respective foreign higher education institution confirming that for the completion of the degree, there was no need to present these elements.

Translation of Documents

1. Diplomas, certificates and documents referring to curricular units, syllabus, duration of studies or final grade that are written in a foreign language other than Spanish, French and English must be accompanied by a translation into one of these languages duly certified by the authorities competent for that purpose.

2. Upon delivery of project work, internship report, dissertation, theses and grounds that are written in any foreign language, a translation into one of these languages may be requested, duly certified by the competent authorities for that purpose.

3. The certification referred to in the previous numbers concerns the content of the translation and not the signatures of those involved in the acts in question.

Legalization of Documents

Diplomas, certificates and transcripts issued by higher education institutions from non-EU countries must be legalized by a Portuguese consular agent or by the Hague Apostille. These legalizations are carried out in the country of origin of the documents.

Authentication of Copies of Documents

The diplomas and certificates can be presented through a certified copy made by the Portuguese Notary, Portuguese Consulate, Chambers of Commerce and Industry (recognized under the terms of Decree-Law no. Conservatories, Parish Councils, CTT.

Fees

Automatic recognition: €50.00
Automatic recognition with final grade conversion: €75.00
Level recognition: €550.00
Level recognition by precedence: €50.00
Precedence level recognition with final ranking conversion: €75.00
Specific recognition: €550.00
Specific recognition of the degree for which automatic recognition can be granted: €275
Final classification conversion request submitted separately from the automatic or level recognition request: €50.00
Issuance of 2nd copy of registration certificates for the recognition of foreign qualifications: €25.00.

Assignment of classification under subparagraph b), no. 3, of article 11-A of Ordinance no. /2020, from February 14: €275

In the event that assessment tests are carried out, under the terms of paragraph 3, of article 20, of Decree-Law no. 66/2018, it is added the respective fee defined in the fee table of the School responsible for the recognition of qualifications.

Deadlines

Calculating time limits:

It starts after the request is complete, including the submission of all documents, as well as the documents that you must present, and after the payment of the respective fees;

it is suspended when information, documents or assessment is requested/needed.

Automatic recognition: 30 working days after the full completion of all necessary steps for the application.
Level recognition: 90 working days after the full completion of all necessary steps for the application.
Level recognition based on precedence: 30 working days after the full completion of all necessary steps for the application.
Specific recognition: 90 working days after the full completion of all necessary steps for the application.

Presentation of the Request

It is done through the electronic form available on the DGES page.

You must verify that all data entered are complete (name, contacts, among others). Each document must correspond to a PDF file and must contain the front, the back and any legalizations. The form only accepts the submission of files up to 4 MB, so larger files must be divided into several, identified with the same name, followed by “1”, “2”, “3”, etc. If you request automatic recognition, in the “Cycle of Studies” field you must indicate “Bologna” if your course was taken at a European university after the implementation of this process, “Pre-Bologna” if it was earlier and “Others” if you have completed the course. your course in the USA, Canada or Brazil (countries included in the list of deliberations). In the next field, referring to the Degree, you must select the Degree that corresponds to the one awarded to you by the foreign University.

The University of Lisbon reserves the right to edit the data in accordance with the documents submitted and presented by the applicant.

Nomination of the Jury for Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

Jury Nomination Dispatch - History