Recognition of foreign degrees


In Spain, people with qualifications issued abroad can request recognition of their university degree. This recognition is necessary to ensure that the training received abroad is comparable to that required in Spain to obtain one of these university degrees. Depending on the profession, people with foreign qualifications can request Homologation, Equivalence or Validation of their degree.

This recognition is regulated by Royal Decree 889/2022, of October 18, which establishes different types of recognition:

  • HOMOLOGATION OF THE FOREIGN TITLE: This is the recognition required in cases where a specific degree is needed to be able to practice a regulated profession in Spain. Click here to find out which are the regulated professions.
  • DECLARATION OF EQUIVALENCE: This is the official recognition that indicates that a foreign degree is equivalent to an academic level of the Spanish university system (degree or master's degree).

Both procedures are the exclusive responsibility of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

Preguntas frecuentes

What role does ANECA play in the procedures for homologation and declaration of equivalence of foreign degrees?

As part of these procedures, the General Subdirectorate of Degrees and University Regulation of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities can request a technical report from ANECA to determine whether the foreign degree meets the criteria for its Homologation or declaration of Equivalence. ANECA evaluates the academic programs of foreign university degrees to determine whether the training obtained meets the requirements to obtain the requested recognition.

ANECA is not the body responsible for the instruction, processing or resolution of the administrative file for Homologation or declaration of Equivalence of foreign degrees. For this reason, ANECA does not have the capacity to answer queries about the status of a file: these queries must be directed to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

In the case of the declaration of Equivalence at the academic level of Doctor, it is up to the universities to make this declaration in accordance with their own statutory regulations and organization, as well as the procedure to follow, in their respective field.

What are the general measures?

Among its capacities, ANECA can propose general measures to resolve requests with similar characteristics (same country, same university, same study plan). These measures are intended to speed up the processing, by the Ministry, of the files in those cases that allow it. These measures must be approved for their application by the Technical Analysis Commission of Homologations and Equivalences (CATHYDE) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

Click here to learn more about the general measures.