Foreign degree recognition in Spain: three routes explained

Compare homologación, equivalencia and convalidación in Spain: what each route recognises, where to apply and how to choose for work or further study.

Published 11 October 20264 min read

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Homologación, equivalencia and convalidación are different routes for recognising foreign university studies in Spain. The right route depends on your goal: practising a regulated profession, demonstrating a degree level or using previous studies towards a Spanish qualification.

How the three recognition routes differ

Recognition of foreign university qualifications and studies in Spain
Route	Purpose	Where to apply
Homologación	Recognition for one of the regulated professions covered by this procedure.	The university ministry's electronic office.
Equivalencia	Recognition of a Bachelor's or Master's academic level, without professional authorisation.	The university ministry's electronic office.
Convalidación	Recognition of previous studies towards a Spanish university qualification.	The Spanish university where you want to study.

This comparison concerns university studies. School qualifications follow separate procedures. If your goal is to start an undergraduate degree, see our guide to university admission with an overseas school qualification.

Homologación: recognition for a regulated profession

Check whether the profession is covered by the official homologación route and whether your training corresponds to it. Similar qualification names do not establish that the route applies.

For example, someone planning to practise nursing should identify the Spanish nursing profession and its requirements. Someone with a business degree seeking a company role should first identify the job. Saying that you want to work in Spain is not enough to choose an academic procedure.

Recognition does not replace other requirements for practising the profession. Professional recognition under European Union rules has its own framework, outside this procedure. See Articles 3.4 and 8 of Royal Decree 889/2022.

Equivalencia: demonstrating a Bachelor's or Master's level

Equivalencia has academic and administrative effects. It can be relevant to a selection process or an employer's assessment of your qualifications, but it does not authorise a regulated profession. The ministry explains its uses in the official equivalence guidance.

Read the exact requirement before choosing this route. A vacancy asking for a Bachelor's level is different from one requiring a particular professional qualification. Keep the published wording and compare it with what the recognition decision will establish.

Convalidación: continuing a degree using previous studies

Convalidación of foreign studies is requested from the destination university. It can concern completed or unfinished studies. The university assesses which learning it will recognise towards the programme you wish to follow.

Choose the degree and university first. Then compare subjects, course content and academic workload. Similar course names do not let you predict how many years will be recognised. Also ask about admission: recognition of studies and securing a place need separate checks.

For that move, see how to continue foreign university studies in Spain.

Which documents should you prepare?

Collect your diploma, complete academic transcript and the receiving institution's instructions. Use your goal to identify gaps before ordering translations or authentication:

To practise a profession: identify the specific Spanish profession and compare its requirements with your training and available documents.
To demonstrate an academic level: retain the vacancy or selection notice, your qualification and transcript.
To continue studying: find the syllabuses for completed subjects and the destination curriculum. Ask the university how it wants these presented.

This is a starting point, not an exhaustive application checklist. The relevant electronic office or university must confirm the documents, translations and formalities that apply. Avoid paying for a package prepared for a different procedure.

Frequently asked questions about foreign degrees in Spain

Must I homologate my degree before taking a Master's?

Not always. Article 18.2 of Royal Decree 822/2021 allows access with certain qualifications from outside the European Higher Education Area without homologación, after the university checks the level. The qualification must allow postgraduate access in its country of issue. Admission has its own requirements and does not recognise the qualification for other purposes.

Can I apply for homologación and convalidación together?

For a foreign qualification giving access to a regulated profession in Spain, Article 24.4 of Royal Decree 889/2022 prevents simultaneous applications through both routes. If you already have an application open, check its status before starting another.

Does grade equivalence recognise my qualification?

These are different documents: one concerns marks and the other an academic level. If an institution wants your average on the Spanish grading scale, see the guide to foreign grade equivalence.