What recognition costs in total

Terms used

• Tasa — The tasa is the official administrative fee you pay when you file a recognition application.
• Homologación — Homologación is the official recognition of a foreign degree as equal to a specific Spanish one.
• Equivalencia — Equivalencia is the academic recognition of a foreign qualification's level in Spain.
• Convalidación — Convalidación is a university's recognition of foreign study towards a Spanish degree.
• Familia numerosa — Familia numerosa is the official large-family status, proved by a title that can reduce public fees.
• Colegio — A colegio is the professional association you may need to join to practise a regulated profession.
• Gestor — A gestor is a paid professional who handles administrative paperwork for you.

Key rules

• Total cost: Budget the tasa, sworn translation, apostille, colegio fees and any exam costs, plus smaller extras.
• Official fees: Only the tasa and its reductions are published; translation, apostille and exam preparation are market-priced.
• Reductions: Familia numerosa or a disability of 33 percent or more can cut or remove the tasa, with proof sent at filing.
• Refunds: Do not count on getting the tasa back if you withdraw or are refused.

Fees, reduction percentages and market prices change and differ by body, region and country, so confirm each figure with the office or provider before paying.

Your total is the tasa plus several extras

Your total cost is the official fee (the tasa), plus sworn translation, apostille, any colegio fees and any exam costs. The tasa and its reductions are published. Everything else is market-priced, so you need quotes.

The documents list, checklist, calculator and FAQ below help you gather each figure. The calculator turns your quotes into one budget.

The tasa: the one official fee

The tasa is set by the state and revised from time to time. Academic recognition (homologación or equivalencia) is handled by the Ministry of Universities. Professional recognition goes through the ministry for your sector. Academic homologación typically costs no more than the low hundreds of euros.

Convalidación is different. Each university sets its fees under its region's public price decree, so the amount depends on where you apply.

Ask the body that handles your application for the current figure before you pay.

Reductions

If you have a familia numerosa title, the general category usually gets a 50 percent reduction. The special category is usually fully exempt. A disability of 33 percent or more is commonly exempt or reduced. Victims of terrorism and gender violence may also qualify in some cases.

You prove this with your familia numerosa title or disability certificate, sent with the application. Percentages differ by body and region, so read the fee notice for your procedure.

The extras you price yourself

• Sworn translation. Sworn translators usually charge per page or per document. A diploma is short and cheap. A transcript has more text and costs more. Rare languages, urgent delivery, dense layouts and extra paper copies raise the price. Many agencies set a minimum fee per document. No official tariff exists, so get several quotes.
• Apostille or legalisation. The cost depends on the country that issued your diploma. Many countries charge a modest fee per document, and some issue it free or online. Agents add service, courier and notary charges, which often exceed the official fee. If your country is outside the Hague Convention, you need full legalisation through its foreign ministry and then the Spanish consulate. That costs more.
• Colegio fees. Entry fees range from nothing to a few hundred euros, depending on profession and province. Some colegios charge more in Madrid or Barcelona. Most also charge a regular membership fee, monthly, quarterly or yearly. Only budget for this if your profession requires membership.
• Exams and bridging. If you are given an aptitude test or adaptation period, there may be a separate exam fee or none, depending on the authority. An adaptation period is normally unpaid or paid at a trainee rate. Courses and study materials are on you.

Smaller costs people forget

Add certified copies, courier and postage (abroad and in Spain), a gestor or lawyer if you use one, and travel for exams or in-person steps. Then add a cushion for extra document requests and re-translation. These are the costs that most often push a budget over.

Money you may not get back

The tasa is usually not refunded if you withdraw or your application is refused, because the administration has already started processing it. A refund is possible if the service is not provided for reasons that are not your fault, or if you paid by mistake. Ask the body that issued your payment form.

Documents you need

• Apostille or legalisation of each foreign diploma, issued by the competent authority in the country that issued it. Countries outside the Hague Convention need legalisation through their foreign ministry and then the Spanish consulate.

• Sworn translation into Spanish of the diploma, the transcript and any syllabus, done by a sworn translator appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Notarised or certified copies of your documents, where the office asks for them.

• Proof of payment of the fee (tasa), plus your familia numerosa title or disability certificate if you claim a reduction.

Checklist

• Ask the body that handles your application for the current tasa for your procedure.

• Check whether you qualify for a reduction or exemption, such as familia numerosa or a disability of 33 percent or more, and gather the title or certificate.

• Ask your origin country's competent authority for the apostille fee, and find out whether the country is in the Hague Convention.

• Get quotes from sworn translators for your diploma, transcript and any syllabus, and ask about minimum fees and urgent delivery.

• Ask your colegio for its entry fee and its regular membership fee, if membership is needed.

• Ask the competent ministry or professional body about exam fees if you may need an aptitude test or adaptation period.

What to watch out for

• The tasa is usually not refunded: If you withdraw or your application is refused, you normally lose the tasa, because the office has already started processing your file. Check that your file is complete and that you qualify before you pay.

• A payment that is not admitted may still be refundable: If your application is not admitted, you may be able to get the tasa back, but not in every case. Ask the body that issued the payment form whether a refund applies and how to request it.

Estimate your total recognition budget

Work it out

What you enter

• Application fee (tasa) (EUR): The official fee form for your procedure, or the ministry's fee page.
• Apostille or legalisation, all documents (EUR): The fee list of the authority in the country that issued your diploma, plus any agent quote.
• Sworn translations, all documents (EUR): Quotes from sworn translators for your diploma and transcript.
• Certified copies, courier and postage (EUR): Notary or courier price quotes.
• Colegio entry fee and first membership fee (EUR): The fee page or office of the colegio for your profession and province.
• Exam fees, courses and materials (EUR): The competent ministry or professional body, and course providers.
• Gestor or lawyer, if you use one (EUR): Quotes from the gestor or lawyer.
• Travel and accommodation (EUR): Your own estimate for exams or in-person steps.
• Contingency for extra document requests and re-translation (%): Your own choice; 10 is a sensible start.

Worked example (with Application fee (tasa) 160 EUR, Apostille or legalisation, all documents 60 EUR, Sworn translations, all documents 120 EUR, Certified copies, courier and postage 50 EUR, Colegio entry fee and first membership fee 200 EUR, Exam fees, courses and materials 0 EUR, Gestor or lawyer, if you use one 0 EUR, Travel and accommodation 0 EUR, Contingency for extra document requests and re-translation 10 %)

When the sum misleads

• Enter 0 for any line that does not apply to you, such as colegio fees if your profession is not regulated.
• If you are unsure of a figure, get a written quote before relying on it.
• Countries outside the Hague Convention need full consular legalisation, which costs more than an apostille.

Frequently asked questions

Will I pay extra if I have to take an aptitude test?

Yes, you may pay a separate exam fee, depending on the authority that sets the test, though some charge nothing. An adaptation period is normally unpaid or paid at a trainee rate. Courses and study materials are also your own cost.

Do I get my tasa back if my application is refused?

No, a refusal or a withdrawal does not normally bring a refund, because the office has already started processing your file.

Can I pay a reduced tasa if I have a large family or a disability?

Yes, if you have a familia numerosa title or a disability certificate, which you submit with the application. The general category usually gets a 50 percent reduction and the special category is exempt. A disability of 33 percent or more is commonly exempt or reduced, but rules differ by body and region.

Why does an apostille cost more than the official fee?

Agents add service, courier and notarisation charges on top of the official fee, and these often cost more than the fee itself. Some countries issue the apostille free or online.