Which recognition route fits your degree (homologación or equivalencia)?

Terms used

• Homologación — Homologación gives a foreign title the effects of a specific Spanish official title, including the right to practise a regulated profession.
• Equivalencia — Equivalencia is an official statement of your academic level (grado, máster or doctorado), without a Spanish title name or professional rights.
• Convalidación — Convalidación is a Spanish university's recognition of part of your foreign studies, so you can continue a degree there.
• Grado — Grado is the Spanish bachelor's-level degree.
• Máster — Máster is the Spanish master's-level degree.
• Doctorado — Doctorado is the Spanish doctorate level.
• Formación Profesional — Formación Profesional (FP) is Spain's non-university vocational training.

Key rules

• Homologación: Homologación gives the foreign title the effects of a specific Spanish title, while equivalencia only confirms the academic level (grado, máster or doctorado) and does not allow you to practise a regulated profession.
• Unfinished studies: Convalidación is for partial studies and is decided by the Spanish university where you want to continue.
• Non-regulated professions: If your profession is not regulated in Spain, you can use your foreign title without any recognition.
• EU titles: EU, EEA and Swiss titles for regulated professions follow the EU professional recognition route, not homologación.

The short answer

These are three different tools with different results. Pick by what you hold and what you want to do with it.

• Homologación makes your foreign title count as a specific Spanish title.
• Equivalencia only confirms your academic level. It does not let you practise a regulated profession.
• Convalidación counts studies you did not finish, so you can continue a degree at a Spanish university.

Homologación: you need the exact Spanish title

Choose this if your profession is regulated in Spain, such as medicine or law, and you want to practise it. The resolution names the Spanish title you receive (for example Graduado en Medicina), and you then have the same effects as someone with that title.

You may be asked for compensatory measures first, such as an aptitude test or a bridging course. The current procedure for titles from outside the EU follows a 2022 reform, so confirm which ministry handles your title before you apply.

Equivalencia: you only need to show your level

This is a declaration that your title matches a Spanish level: grado, máster or doctorado. It does not give you a Spanish title name. It is useful if your profession is not regulated and you want an official statement of your level, for example for a job application or further study. It is issued by the ministry responsible for universities.

Convalidación: you did only part of a degree

If you did not finish your title, the Spanish university where you want to continue decides which of your subjects count. Each university sets its own procedure and deadlines, so ask its admissions or international office before you apply. The result only counts inside that university.

Vocational (FP) titles

University degrees and vocational titles follow separate routes. A foreign Formación Profesional title is handled by the education and vocational training ministry. It can be homologated to a specific Spanish FP title. If full homologación is not possible, you can get partial convalidación of study modules. Confirm the current office before you apply, as unit names change.

When you may not need anything

If your profession is not regulated in Spain, you need no recognition. You can use your foreign title as it is. A declaration of equivalencia is optional.

EU, EEA and Swiss titles

If your title comes from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and your profession is regulated, you do not use the routes above. You use the EU professional recognition system. Doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists, vets and architects with harmonised minimum training get automatic recognition.

How to choose

1. Check whether your profession is regulated in Spain.
2. Note where you trained and the level of your title.
3. Note whether you finished the title.
4. Match the result to a route above. The decision tool and checklist below walk you through it.

Choose your recognition route for a foreign qualification

Choose your recognition route

Which route fits your qualification, where you got it and your profession?

• EU general or automatic recognition: Your qualification comes from another EU country and you want to practise a regulated profession. Some professions are recognised automatically; the rest go through the general system.

• Homologación: Your qualification comes from outside the EU and you want to practise a regulated profession in Spain. It gives your foreign title the effects of a specific Spanish title.

• Equivalencia: You only need Spain to confirm the academic level of your title (grado, máster or doctorado), for example for study or a job that is not a regulated profession.

• UK transitional route: Your qualification is from the UK and you were already in the process or covered by the transitional arrangements for UK qualifications. Check with the recognition office whether your case is covered.

• Bilateral convenio: Your qualification comes from a country that has a recognition agreement (convenio) with Spain. Ask the education ministry whether an agreement covers your title and which route it sets.

Start with where you got the qualification: EU country, UK, or another country. Then ask if your profession is regulated in Spain. If it is, you need the EU route or homologación. If it is not, equivalencia is usually enough. If your country has a convenio with Spain, check it first, since it may set a simpler route.

Check with the Spanish education ministry which route applies to your country and title before you apply.

Checklist

• Find out whether your profession is regulated in Spain, because a regulated profession needs homologación or the sector's professional recognition before you practise.

• Note where you trained and what level your title is, since EU, EEA and Swiss titles follow a different route from titles obtained outside the EU.

• Confirm whether you completed the title or only part of it; for partial studies, ask the Spanish university where you want to continue about convalidación.

• Decide whether you need the exact Spanish title (homologación) or only proof of your academic level as grado, máster or doctorado (equivalencia).

• Contact the vocational training office of the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports if your title is a non-university vocational (FP) one, and confirm which unit handles it now.

• Consider asking for a declaration of equivalence if your profession is not regulated and you want an official statement of your level.

Frequently asked questions

Will my degree get a Spanish title name after homologación?

Yes, after homologación your foreign degree is recognised as a specific official Spanish title, such as Graduado en Medicina or Licenciado en Derecho, depending on your case. The resolution you receive states the exact Spanish name, and the title has the same effects as the Spanish one. Equivalencia does not do this.

Which route applies if I only finished part of my degree abroad?

For partly finished studies the route is convalidación, which the Spanish university where you want to continue grants under its own rules. It only has academic effect inside that university.

Who recognises a foreign vocational (FP) title in Spain?

Foreign vocational titles are recognised by homologación or convalidación through the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, not through the university route. Homologación gives the effects of a specific Spanish FP title.

Do I need any recognition to use my foreign title in a non-regulated profession?

No, in a non-regulated profession you can simply use your foreign title without any recognition. You can optionally ask for a Spanish declaration of equivalence if you want an official statement of your academic level.