Recognition of foreign studies (homologación and convalidación): which do you need?

Terms used

• Homologación — Homologación is the formal recognition of a foreign qualification as equal to a specific Spanish title, with the same effects.
• Convalidación — Convalidación is the recognition that foreign studies match a Spanish course, so your child can continue at that level, without a title.
• ESO — ESO is Spain's compulsory secondary school stage, usually ages 12 to 16.
• Bachillerato — Bachillerato is the two-year post-16 school stage that prepares for university.
• FP — FP is Spanish vocational training, taught in dedicated centres after ESO.

Key rules

• Title: Only homologación gives your child a Spanish title; convalidación never does.
• Whole levels: Only a fully completed foreign level can be homologated.
• Your region: Procedures and placement decisions can vary by region and by receiving school.

The short answer

Your child does not need recognition to enrol in compulsory schooling (ages 6–16): the school places them by age and previous studies. Recognition only matters later, if your child needs a Spanish title.

What each word means

Homologación gives your child a Spanish title. A foreign qualification is recognised as equal to a specific Spanish one, such as the ESO graduate title or Bachillerato. It has the same academic and professional effect as that title.

Convalidación matches studies done abroad to a Spanish course, for example 3º ESO. Your child can then carry on at that level. It does not give a title.

When recognition is needed

You need homologación when your child must hold a Spanish title. This usually happens when a foreign qualification has to be used for the next step, such as Bachillerato, vocational training (FP) or university entrance routes, or for work that asks for the Spanish title.

Without that need, you can usually skip it. Foreign studies are generally accepted for the level they cover, and your child can progress on the foreign certificate.

Which studies can be homologated

Homologación is for a whole completed level: the equivalent of ESO, Bachillerato or a vocational title. Some education-system titles, such as the European Baccalaureate, have their own agreements.

These are only convalidated to a Spanish course, never homologated:

• an unfinished level
• primary courses
• single courses of ESO or Bachillerato

If your child left a stage unfinished

Convalidación applies to the courses they completed. Equivalence tables match them course by course, and your child is placed in the course after the last one passed. If no equivalence applies, the school assesses your child and places them by age and level. The school or the regional education authority may decide the placement.

What to do

1. Check whether your child finished a whole foreign level.
2. Ask the school, FP centre or university your child is aiming for whether it needs the Spanish title.
3. Ask your regional education authority which procedure applies in your region before you apply.

The decision, checklist and questions below go through these choices.

Choosing between options

Which recognition fits a child who left a foreign school stage unfinished?

• Convalidación of completed courses: Your child passed some courses but not the whole stage. Completed courses are matched to Spanish courses and your child joins the course after the last one passed.

• Placement by the school: No equivalence applies to your child's courses. The school evaluates your child and places them by age and level.

• Homologación: Your child finished the whole level, such as the equivalent of ESO or Bachillerato, and needs the Spanish title.

Incomplete stages are never homologated. Only a fully completed level can be homologated; anything less is convalidated course by course or placed by the school.

Checklist

• Check whether your child has finished a whole foreign level, such as the equivalent of ESO or Bachillerato, or only some courses.

• Decide whether your child needs a Spanish title: homologación is for getting the title, convalidación only matches courses and gives no title.

• Ask the school your child will join how it will place them by age and previous studies, since recognition is not needed to enrol in compulsory schooling (ages 6–16).

• Ask the receiving school, FP centre or university whether it needs the Spanish title for the next step, such as Bachillerato, FP or university access.

Frequently asked questions

Does a convalidación give my child a Spanish title?

No, a convalidación does not give your child a Spanish title. It only recognises that completed foreign courses match a Spanish course, so your child can continue at that level. A title needs a homologación.

Can an unfinished foreign school stage be homologated?

No, an unfinished stage cannot be homologated, only convalidated.

Which foreign studies can be homologated to a Spanish title?

Foreign studies equivalent to ESO, Bachillerato or vocational titles (FP) can be homologated when your child has completed the whole level. Primary courses and single courses of ESO or Bachillerato are only convalidated. Titles such as the European Baccalaureate follow their own agreements.

When will my child need a homologación in practice?

Your child needs a homologación when they must hold the Spanish title, for example to access Bachillerato, FP or university entry routes, or jobs that require it. Rules for specific cases vary by region and by the receiving school or university, so ask them early.