Homologation of foreign academic degrees in Portugal with JJ Gestoria

Validate your profession and practice legally. We assess your situation and manage the recognition of your foreign qualification (automatic, level, or specific) with the relevant authorities, ensuring that your training is officially valid in Portugal.

Why homologate your degree in Portugal?

Recognizing your degree opens academic and professional doors. It is mandatory for regulated professions such as Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Psychology, Engineering, Architecture or Law, and also to participate in public competitions or to teach at the university. It may be required if you plan to do professional internships or pursue postgraduate studies. Although areas such as Management, Marketing or Information Technology do not always require formal recognition, validation increases your competitiveness, makes it easier to obtain visas or professional credentials and improves your employability. In addition, the process converts the grades and credits of your original education to the Portuguese scale (0-20), which helps you to meet the requirements for access to masters and doctorates and to compare your career with local standards. In short, homologating your degree multiplies your opportunities and fully integrates you into the Portuguese academic and labor system.

Types of degree recognition in Portugal

Automatic recognition

Generically recognizes a foreign degree whose level, objectives and nature are identical to the Portuguese bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees. It applies only to diplomas included in an official list of equivalences and awarded by accredited institutions. The cost is usually around 33 € and the average term is about 30 days. This is the fastest option, but is not available for all countries and qualifications.

Level recognition

Determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether your foreign degree corresponds to the Portuguese level of bachelor, master or doctorate, without associating it to a specific course. You must choose a Portuguese university related to your field and submit documents such as diploma, syllabus, academic record and, when applicable, thesis or dissertation. It usually takes up to 90 days and carries rates in excess of 500 €depending on the university.

Specific recognition

Compare your training with a specific course at a Portuguese university (scientific area, duration, contents and credits). This is the most detailed process and often indispensable for regulated professions. It usually costs from 400 € and may include knowledge tests or the obligation to take additional subjects if there are content gaps.

Necessary documents and process steps

Apostille and certifications

Before starting the homologation, apostille your documents in the country of origin (Hague Convention). Include: university diploma, academic transcripts, syllabus and proof of internships. Ensure authenticated copies and, when applicable, sworn translations into Portuguese.

Procedures at the DGES and universities

Verify at the Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES) which type of recognition fits your case. For automatic recognition, complete the online form, upload the documents and pay the fee. For level or specific recognition, select a university with a similar course and send the file for evaluation. Include authenticated copies of the diploma and academic record, as well as a statement with the classification of the training area (CNAEF y FOS).

Rates and terms

Fees vary according to the type of recognition and the institution: around 33 € for the automatic and, in general, over 500 € for the level and the specific one. The usual deadlines range from 30 days (automatic) to 90 days (level and specific). Some universities may charge additional fees for grade conversion or issuance of final certificates.

How JJ Gestoria helps you in the homologation of degrees?

Personalized assessment and counseling

We analyze your training and professional objective to define whether automatic, level or specific recognition is appropriate. We review current equivalencies, estimate costs and deadlines, and give you a clear plan of action.

Documentary management and follow-up

We help you with the apostille, sworn translations and DGES forms. We coordinate the presentation to the university when the automatic application does not apply, supervise the progress and manage additional requirements, including eventual knowledge tests or complementary subjects, until the final resolution.

Homologation of baccalaureate degrees (secondary education)

In Portugal, the recognition of foreign studies of basic and secondary education (equivalent to the baccalaureate) is carried out through a procedure of
equivalence or equalization. This process allows qualifications from foreign educational systems to be recognized within the Portuguese educational system.
and is available to any Portuguese citizen or foreigner residing in the country.

Requirements and documentation

  • Certificates of courses completed, authenticated by Portuguese consular services or with the Apostille of The Hague.
  • Certifications translated into Portuguese, indicating the year or cycle completed and final grades.
  • Photocopy of identification document (passport, residence card or citizen card).
  • Equivalency form provided by the educational institution where the application is submitted.
  • Depending on the country of origin, additional documents explaining the qualification scale and educational system.

Where and when to apply

  • The application is submitted to an elementary or secondary school in the area of residence in Portugal.
  • The procedure can be initiated at any time during the school's opening hours.
  • The usual turnaround time is 30 daysalthough it may vary from school to school.
  • Some institutions may charge fees; it is advisable to confirm the cost before applying.

How does JJ Gestoria help you?

Document review

We verify that the certificates are correctly apostilled and translated, complying with the requirements of the Portuguese Ministry of Education.

Form preparation

We complete the official form on behalf of the applicant and submit it to the appropriate school.

Follow-up of the process

We maintain contact with the institution to avoid additional requirements and inform you of the status until we receive the equivalency.

Subsequent advice

If you wish to continue higher studies in Portugal, we will guide you through the next steps once you have validated your baccalaureate.

Do you need to validate your university degree to study or work in Portugal? Schedule a consultation with JJ Gestoria and let our specialized team guide you every step of the way.

Do you need to validate your university degree to study or work in Portugal? Schedule a consultation with JJ Gestoria and let our specialized team guide you every step of the way.