If you want to work in the field you studied in your country or continue your studies in Spain, you can do so by homologating your degree in Spain. If you want to know how to homologate your degree in Spain, this article is for you, as we will explain how you can do it step by step.
What types of procedures exist to validate a degree in Spain?
Currently, Spain has three different ways to validate a degree or education: Homologation, Equivalence, and Validation.
What is homologation, equivalence, and validation?
Homologation of a degree is simply the official validation in Spain of a higher education degree obtained in other countries.
In other words, it is the process by which the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training validates the degrees or subjects studied in other countries and converts them into official Spanish degrees.
Importantly, once homologation is obtained, one can work in the profession listed on the degree or continue studying the next level of the degree.
Conversely, with validation, the studies completed in one’s home country are validated, and the individual is allowed to complete them in Spain.
Equivalence is different from homologation, as homologation may require the completion of different subjects in Spain.
Equivalence confirms that the degree obtained in the country of origin is similar to one in Spain, as the content of the degree is very similar to that of Spain.
Validation is for students who start studying a degree in their home country and want to finish their studies in Spain. In this process, the entity that handles the procedure is not the Ministry of Education but the University where the studies will be completed in Spain.
Which professions require homologation in Spain?
According to Annex 1 of Royal Decree 967/2014, the following are the professions that require homologation in Spain:
- Physician
- Lawyer
- Veterinarian
- Physiotherapist
- Dentist
- Nurse
- Optometrist
- Pharmacist
- Speech Therapist
- Podiatrist
- Nutritionist
- Occupational Therapist
- General Health Psychologist
- Engineer (Civil, Mining, Industrial, Aeronautical, Agricultural, Forestry, Naval, Oceanic, and Telecommunication)
- Architect
- Technical Engineer (Mining, Public Works, Aeronautical, Agricultural, Forestry, Naval, Industrial, and Topography)
- Technical Architect
- Early Childhood Educator
- Primary Education Teacher
- Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, Vocational Training, and Language Teaching Professor
- Procurator (Court Official)
Who needs to homologate their degrees in Spain?
The people who need to homologate their degrees in Spain are:
- Those who want to continue studying, such as pursuing a master’s degree.
- Those who hold a high school diploma from their country and want to work in Spain.
- Those who want to apply for public examinations or work in a public position in Spain.
- Those who want to work in any of the professions mentioned above.
- Those who have studied in a Spanish institution with a foreign education system.
What are the requirements to homologate degrees in Spain?
The requirements to homologate your degree in Spain are:
- The documents presented must be original, legalized, and translated (if not in Spanish).
- The degree, diploma, or certificate presented must have official validity and be issued by the competent authorities of the country.
- You must have passed all required courses.
- There must be sufficient balance between the duration and content of the degree to be homologated.
- At least one full year of coursework must have been completed, as degrees that do not reach a full year are not usually validated.
- If you have studied in a foreign institution in Spain, it must meet these two requirements:
- The institution must have authorization from the Spanish educational authorities.
- The degree or studies must not have previously been obtained in the Spanish education system.
What documents do you need to present to homologate your degree in Spain?
The documents required to homologate your degree in Spain are:
- Copy of your passport, ID card (DNI), or foreigner identification number (NIE) in force.
- If you are in Spain, you need to have the student card or residence card.
- Completed application form.
- Diploma of the degree or studies legalized and apostilled.
- Academic curriculum, including a study plan.
- Language proficiency certification indicating that you have the necessary knowledge of the language.
- If you come from a non-Spanish-speaking country, the documents must be translated into Spanish.
How much does it cost to homologate your degree in Spain?
The payment for homologation can be made electronically or by presenting the proof of payment of model 790-107, which must be completed correctly and have a mechanical certification or authorized signature to validate the payment or a transfer to the indicated bank account.
If you choose to make the payment electronically, you can pay the fee by bank transfer or credit card and must have a tax identification number (NIF), tax identification code (CIF), or foreigner identification number (NIE).
Electronic payment can be made for:
- Own title: In which you have to identify yourself with Cl@ve and have NIF, CIF, or NIE.
- On behalf of someone else: To represent another person, the representative must meet the following requirements:
- The representative must register with Cl@ve.
- The represented person must have NIF, CIF, or NIE.
- The power of attorney must be registered in the Electronic Registry of Powers of Attorney.
The fee for homologating degrees in Spain is €163, which may be updated annually.
Where can you homologate your studies in Spain?
Once you have paid the fee and have all the necessary documents, you can submit the application to the Ministry of Education.
If you are in Spain, you can submit it to any public registry of the General State Administration, Autonomous Communities, and local administrations.
Another option is to complete the process online, for which you will need a digital certificate or electronic signature.
How long do you have to wait to have your degree homologated?
The Ministry usually takes about one and a half to two years to homologate and validate degrees.
Partial validations with universities typically take six to eight months.
In summary, if you plan to continue studying in Spain or work in Spain in your field of study from your home country, it is recommended that you homologate your degrees as soon as possible, even before coming to Spain, due to the long waiting period.
Marta Palacios Cuesta is the founder and principal consultant of Es Abogado Extranjería, a law firm specializing in immigration law in Madrid and Seville. With an impressive academic background, Marta offers expert advice on immigration procedures, residency processes and obtaining Spanish nationality. Committed to providing personalized and up-to-date solutions, her firm stands out for its detailed and professional approach. If you need legal guidance regarding your status in Spain, contact Marta for a personalized consultation at Es Abogado Extranjería.