Recognising foreign school studies

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain with school-age children. You will learn whether recognition is needed for your child, how to apply, and how to avoid losing a school year if things go slowly.

Start with "Recognition of foreign studies (homologación and convalidación): which do you need?". It explains the terms and tells you whether you need recognition at all.

After that, read "Getting a foreign school diploma recognised in Spain: timeline and tactics" to plan your application. Then pick the pages that fit your case: the one on UK, US, EU and Latin American qualifications, the one on delays and refusals, or the one on bringing a Spanish or dual-national child back into Spanish schools.

University degrees, regulated professions and the apostille process itself are not covered here.

Key rules

• Correction window: If the office asks for missing documents, you have about 10 days to supply them.
• Decision time: The administration has six months from registration of the application to decide, and silence after that counts as a refusal you can appeal.
• Appeal deadline: You can appeal a written refusal within one month, or within three months after the decision period ends if there was only silence.
• Enrolment: Your child does not need recognition to enrol in compulsory schooling (ages 6–16): the school places them by age and previous studies.
• Title: Only homologación gives your child a Spanish title; convalidación never does.
• Whole levels: Only a fully completed foreign level can be homologated.

Recognising foreign school studies: the whole process, step by step

• Find out whether you need recognition at all (read: Recognition of foreign studies (homologación and convalidación): which do you need?): before you start; enrolment in compulsory schooling (6–16) does not wait for it

• Gather documents and file the application with the Ministry of Education (read: Getting a foreign school diploma recognised in Spain: timeline and tactics): as soon as the studies are completed and you have the documents; you can file in the ministry's electronic office, at a registry office or at a Spanish consulate abroad

• Check how your country's qualifications are treated (read: Recognition for UK, US, EU and Latin American school qualifications): while you prepare the file, before you submit

• Enrol your child on a conditional basis while the decision is pending, using the registry receipt: right after filing

• Answer any request for missing documents: within 10 days of the request

• Wait for the decision: the administration has six months from registration of the application to decide

• If there is no answer, treat it as a refusal and appeal (read: Recognition delayed or refused: what you can do): within three months after the six months end

• If you get a written refusal, appeal it: within one month of the notification

• If your child studied abroad and is returning, plan re-entry into Spanish schools (read: Bringing a Spanish or dual-national child back into Spanish schools): before the return, alongside the other steps

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Proof of identity — Getting a foreign school diploma recognised in Spain: timeline and tactics

The home and the lease

• The academic transcript listing subjects and grades for the relevant years — Getting a foreign school diploma recognised in Spain: timeline and tactics

Translations and legal papers

• An official Spanish translation of any document not in Spanish — Getting a foreign school diploma recognised in Spain: timeline and tactics, Recognition for UK, US, EU and Latin American school qualifications

Other documents

• Legalisation of the school documents — Getting a foreign school diploma recognised in Spain: timeline and tactics, Recognition delayed or refused: what you can do
• The completed homologación application form — Getting a foreign school diploma recognised in Spain: timeline and tactics
• The original or a certified copy of the foreign title or certificate — Getting a foreign school diploma recognised in Spain: timeline and tactics
• UK: certificates of your GCSEs, A-levels or Highers — Getting a foreign school diploma recognised in Spain: timeline and tactics
• EU/EEA and Switzerland — Getting a foreign school diploma recognised in Spain: timeline and tactics
• School certificate or transcript of studies — Recognition for UK, US, EU and Latin American school qualifications

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Recognising foreign school studies: questions that cross several articles

What is the difference between homologación and convalidación?

Homologación recognises a foreign qualification as equal to a specific Spanish title, while convalidación only matches studies to a Spanish course and gives no title. A successful homologación lets your child hold the Spanish title, for example to go on to Bachillerato or vocational training. Read "Recognition of foreign studies (homologación and convalidación): which do you need?" first.

If my child left a foreign stage unfinished, can it still be recognised?

No, an unfinished stage cannot be homologated, but completed courses are matched to Spanish courses. Your child is placed in the course after the last one passed, or the school places them by age and level. See "Recognition of foreign studies (homologación and convalidación): which do you need?" and "Bringing a Spanish or dual-national child back into Spanish schools".

Who handles my application, the Ministry or the region?

Homologación is processed by the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, though you can also lodge it through regional offices. Schools or regional education authorities usually handle convalidation and placement.

Who can apply for homologación?

Anyone who has completed official foreign non-university studies and holds the title can apply, or a legal representative for a minor. No Spanish residency or minimum age is required, but the studies must be finished.

Can my child start school while recognition is pending?

Yes, your child can be enrolled conditionally while homologación is pending, so schooling is not delayed. The proof is the registry receipt showing the application was filed, plus the school's enrolment record. Read "Getting a foreign school diploma recognised in Spain: timeline and tactics", and "Recognition delayed or refused: what you can do" if the decision drags on.