How should I proceed if I want to obtain the recognition of foreign university degrees? Even if I don't need my college degree at the moment,how to homologate my high school diploma, something they request for any job?
Each country has its own regulations in this regard. We are going to explain to you what you should do if you plan to come to work on what you have studied or if you want to do a doctorate in Spain.
Employment situation in Spain and the importance of the homologation of degrees
Currently, in Spain it is necessary to fill a series of jobs for which there are not enough candidates. Some are hard jobs, requiring health and good physical fitness, but others require already trained personnel.
If you want to work here and you already have your degree, there is a step that you necessarily need to carry out in order to be eligible to practice in Spain: homologate your degree, that is, make it valid and legal in Spanish territory.
Depending on which university you have obtained your degree from, there is the possibility that the procedures can be streamlined. However, let's put ourselves in the least favorable case, imagining that your degree or master's degree was obtained at a university that does not have a bridging course designed for migrants.
Steps to follow to be able to practice as a regulated professional
Let's see what steps you must follow when you are not part of any of the exceptions contemplated in amendments to Spanish law and that allow, under very particular conditions, to accelerate the process. In this way, we provide you with information that is equally useful to any resident of Latin America. Everything about homologation of foreign university degrees.
Of course, the requirements for homologation of a university degree become more or less difficult depending on the country of origin and the academic level of each particular university. While some graduates solve the paperwork and exams in a few months, others need to study a series of subjects for one or two years and pass an exam. Should I return to classrooms in person? No, unless that is your wish. But let's not anticipate events.
Royal Decree 404/2020, validation and homologation
In just a few years, legislation related to the homologation of university degrees has been the subject of three different ministries in Spain. The current legislation, included in the Royal Decree 404/2020, It is the one that is followed until further notice.
With so much change you must be clear about the difference between the validation of studies or equivalence and true homologation.
It is usually called homologation to the complete process by which the documents that validate your studies are accepted and you become able to practice your profession. However, technically, homologation is only the certification or verification that such documents exist.
La Recognition It is what grants the correspondence or equivalence of the foreign title with the titles of the national educational system and allows you to practice as a regulated professional.
Simply put, In addition to homologating your degree, you must go through the validation process.
Steps to follow to legalize a university degree
The steps to follow to achieve the homologation and validation of a foreign university degree are the following:
- Legalize title, academic record and ID. It may be necessary to Hague Apostille.
- Check all copies.
- Make a sworn translation into Spanish (if applicable).
- Prove authorization to practice (only "regulated professions").
- Prove linguistic competence in Spanish (only "regulated professions").
- Payment of fee 107.
- Homologation Request.
- Equivalence Procedure.
- Resolution.
In order to request the recognition of your degree, in addition to requiring regulated training, you must carry out a prior process that consists of the following:
- Legalization of the title and academic record.
- Certification of copies.
- Sworn translation into Spanish (if applicable).
Keep in mind that these steps seek to ensure that no non-professional person comes to practice in sensitive training, so, in principle, what is asked of you is that you demonstrate that your certificate or degree is legal in the country in which you were residing or where you have taken it.
Next, depending on your university and the syllabi, it may be the case that you need to complement your studies to cover material or parts of the syllabus not seen at your university and that are mandatory in the Spanish degree.
When this happens, don't worry, there is the possibility of doing these studies remotely, through the National University of Distance Education (UNED), although your physical presence at an official center on the day of the exam is necessary. Don't get lost because there are time limits to successfully complete this training procedure.
If you have studied in a Latin American country and wish to practice your profession in Spain, you must demonstrate the validity of your degree and, if necessary, complete your training to be as competent as the professionals trained here. This is known as homologation of foreign university degrees and their inexorable validation.
This involves very different processes for professionals from different countries and universities in Latin America, but we are specialized in these approvals and we can help you. If you have any doubts about your particular case, for example, because you have completed part of your studies within the European Union or your university has some type of agreement with the Spanish Ministry of Universities, do not hesitate and contact us. You can also do it if you feel overwhelmed by the obligation to carry out so much paperwork.
