Recognising a foreign vocational qualification in Spain

Key rules

• Correction window: If your file is incomplete, you usually get 10 days to correct it.
• Not for degrees: University degrees and regulated professions do not use this route.
• Any nationality: You can apply whatever your nationality, if your title is official.
• Silence: No reply within the time limit is generally treated as a refusal, which you can challenge.

Which route you use

Foreign vocational titles are recognised through homologación or equivalencia with the education authorities. The university route is not used for them. The national Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports handles the applications, and the rules are the same across Spain.

• Homologación gives your title the effects of a specific Spanish vocational title.
• Equivalencia is the fallback when no exact match exists. It recognises your level only, not a specific Spanish title.

Who can apply

Anyone holding the title can apply, whatever their nationality. You do not need to be Spanish.

Your title qualifies if it is an official vocational title, issued by the education authority of another country, that corresponds to a Spanish basic, medium or higher vocational title.

These do not qualify through this route:

• University degrees, which follow a separate process.
• Titles for regulated professions, which need professional recognition.
• Private or non-official certificates with no state validity.
• Titles with no Spanish equivalent.

Documents

The documents list below shows what to gather. Two points need care:

• Foreign documents need an apostille, or diplomatic legalisation if your country is not in the Hague Convention. Some countries are exempt through treaties, and EU documents are exempt.
• Documents not in Spanish or a co-official language need an official translation. A sworn translator (traductor jurado) can do this.

Start with the apostille and translations, because they usually take the longest. The Ministry's procedure sheet has the current full list, so check it before you file.

Steps

1. Gather your title, transcript, apostille or legalisation and translations.
2. Fill in the application on the Ministry's electronic office. You need a digital certificate or Cl@ve. Pay the fee if one applies.
3. Submit it with all documents and keep the registry receipt.
4. If the file is incomplete, you usually get 10 days to correct it. The Ministry may also ask for extra documents, such as syllabi.
5. The Ministry compares your studies with the Spanish title (length, content and level).
6. You get one of four outcomes: full homologación, homologación with compensation measures, equivalence to a level, or refusal.
7. The decision arrives through the electronic notification system. If granted, you receive a certificate of homologación.

How long it takes

Expect around six months from the day your application is registered. Real waits can run longer, depending on backlog and on whether your file was complete.

If no decision arrives in time, silence is generally treated as a refusal. You can then appeal or go to court. Ask the Ministry or a lawyer about the deadline for doing so.

Timeline and deadlines

• Gather your title, transcript, apostille or legalisation and sworn translations: before you start the application

• Fill in the application on the Ministry's electronic office and pay the fee if required: once your documents are ready

• Submit the application with all documents and keep the registry receipt: on the day you file

• Correct the file or send extra documents if the Ministry asks: within 10 days of the request

• Wait for the comparison with the Spanish title and the decision: commonly up to six months from registration of the application

• If there is no decision, treat the silence as a refusal and appeal or go to court: after the maximum period has passed

• Receive notification of the decision electronically, and collect your certificate of homologación if granted: when the decision is issued

Check the maximum resolution period and the effect of no reply with the Ministry of Education.

Documents you need

• Application form, filled in on the Ministry of Education's electronic office.

• Your passport, ID or NIE.

• The original foreign title, or a certified copy.

• Academic transcript listing subjects, hours or years, and grades.

• Apostille of the Hague Convention on your foreign documents, or diplomatic legalisation if your country is not in the Convention. Some countries are exempt by treaty, and EU documents are exempt.

• Official Spanish translation by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) or Spanish consular or official bodies, unless the document is in Spanish or a co-official language.

• Proof of payment of the fee, where a fee applies.

• Syllabi of your studies, if the Ministry asks for them.

Checklist

• Confirm that your title is an official vocational title and not a university degree.

• Get your documents apostilled or legalised and translated by a sworn translator.

• Get a digital certificate or Cl@ve to file on the Ministry of Education's electronic office.

• Submit the application and pay the fee if required.

• Keep the registry receipt.

• Answer any request to correct the file within 10 days.

• Watch your electronic notifications for the decision.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply if I am not Spanish?

Yes, any holder of an official foreign vocational title can apply, whatever their nationality. The title must be issued by the education system of another country and must match a Spanish FP level.

What happens if my title has no exact Spanish match?

You may get an equivalencia, which recognises only the academic level of your title, not a specific Spanish title. Homologación is the route that gives the effects of a specific Spanish title.

Which titles cannot be recognised this way?

University degrees, titles for regulated professions, private certificates without state validity and titles with no Spanish equivalent are excluded. University degrees follow a separate route.

What can I do if the Ministry does not reply in time?

No reply after the maximum period, commonly six months from registration, is usually treated as a refusal. You can then appeal or go to court.