Recognition of foreign qualifications and diplomas

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In Portugal, the recognition of academic qualifications and higher education diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions is governed by Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of 16 August, which has been in force since 1 January 2019, in its current version, as amended by Decree-Law No. 86/2023 of 10 October.

The procedural framework is governed by Ministerial Order No. 33/2019 of 25 January, as amended and republished by Ministerial Order No. 43/2020 of 14 February.

This framework provides for three types of recognition: automatic recognition, recognition of level and specific recognition.

1. How do I apply for recognition?

The application for recognition is submitted via the online form on the national RecOn platform, provided by the Institute for Higher Education (IES).

Before submitting your application, please check the recognition procedures and the relevant requirements, and verify whether your degree or diploma is covered by automatic recognition.

To submit your application to the University of the Azores:

Complete the form, select the type of recognition you require and specify the University of the Azores as the institution responsible for assessing your application;
Please attach the required documents in digital format, ensuring they comply with the relevant authentication and translation requirements;
Submit the application and pay the relevant fees in accordance with the instructions provided to you;

Once payment has been made, the application will be reviewed and will follow the applicable procedure until a decision is reached. During the process, additional documents or clarification may be requested.

The statutory time limits for a decision are calculated from the date of receipt of the duly substantiated application.

For help with completing the form, please see:

Guia prático de apoio ao pedido de reconhecimento — português
Practical Guide to Support the Recognition Request — English

For further information, please visit the IES webpage on the recognition of foreign degrees and diplomas or send an enquiry to the University of the Azores at svga.expediente@uac.pt.

2. What are the different types of recognition?

2.1. Automatic recognition

It is the process by which a foreign higher education qualification or diploma is recognised in general terms, provided that its level, objectives and nature are identical to those of Portuguese bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees, or the higher vocational qualification, and that it is included in the list drawn up by the Commission for the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications and Diplomas.

Please refer to the list of foreign degrees and diploma covered by automatic recognition and use the search tool to check whether this applies to your degree or diploma.

If your degree or diploma is not covered by automatic recognition, you may apply for level recognition or specific recognition, depending on your intended purpose and the applicable requirements.

2.2. Level recognition

It is the process by which a foreign higher education qualification is recognised, on a case-by-case basis and by comparison, as being of a level equivalent to a Portuguese higher education qualification.

The application must be submitted to a public higher education institution which awards the degree or diploma in the relevant field of study, specialism or area of knowledge.

This programme may benefit from a previous decision by the University of the Azores, which waives the requirement to appoint an examination board, provided that the degree or diploma meets all of the following requirements:

It must be awarded by the same foreign higher education institution, in the same country;
State the same name as the study programme;
Provide the same title as that of the foreign qualification or diploma;
The course must be of the same duration or have the same number of credits.

2.3. Specific recognition

It is the process by which a foreign higher education qualification or diploma is recognised as equivalent to a Portuguese academic qualification or higher education diploma, following an individual assessment of the level, duration and curriculum content within a specific field of study, branch of knowledge or specialism. The application must be submitted to a public higher education institution which awards the degree or diploma in the relevant field of study, specialism or branch of knowledge. Recognition may be subject to the applicant passing an assessment of their knowledge.

The choice between level recognition and specific recognition must be made in accordance with the intended purpose: the former recognises the level of the qualification; the latter also recognises its correspondence to a specific area of study, field of knowledge or specialism.

For further information, please see the Institute for Higher Education's page on the recognition of foreign degrees and diplomas.

3. What documents are required?

The documentation required depends on the type of recognition sought, in accordance with Articles 3 to 6 of Ministerial Order No. 33/2019 of 25 January, as currently in force.

Documentation common to all categories

You must submit one of the following documents, which unequivocally proves that you have been awarded the degree or diploma:

A copy of the degree certificate or other document issued by the foreign higher education institution proving that the applicant holds the degree or diploma, certified by the relevant authorities;
A simple copy of a document issued by the foreign higher education institution containing the registration number of the degree or diploma, where there is a centralised register that is publicly accessible via a unique identifier;
Original diploma or certificate issued by the foreign higher education institution, proving that the holder has been awarded the degree or diploma.

Additional documentation for non-sequential level recognition and for specific recognition

With these applications, you must also submit:

Documentation issued by the foreign higher education institution detailing the modules completed, their respective syllabuses, the duration of the course and the final grade;
For degrees at Master’s level, a digital or scanned copy of the dissertation, project work or work placement report;
For degrees at doctoral level, a digital or scanned copy of the thesis. Where the thesis has been replaced by other research work, literary works or artistic creations, evidence must be provided that demonstrates the research carried out, the process of conception and development, the candidate’s research ability and how this fits into the advancement of knowledge.

If the award of a master’s or doctoral degree did not require the submission of such theses, you must submit a document issued by the foreign higher education institution confirming this.

Final ranking on the Portuguese scale

Whenever a final grade on the Portuguese grading scale is required, you must submit documentation issued by the foreign institution stating the grade obtained and the minimum pass mark and maximum mark on the scale used.

Translation and verification of documents

Degree certificates, certificates and academic documents written in a language other than Portuguese, English, French or Spanish must be accompanied by a certified translation into Portuguese. UAc may accept translations into English, French or Spanish.

In the case of theses, dissertations and other academic works written in a foreign language, a certified translation may be required.

The University of the Azores may request any additional documents or clarification required to assess the application or to verify the authenticity of the documentation.

4. How do I authenticate the documents?

The certification must serve to verify that the copy conforms to the original document. In the case of foreign documents, it may also be necessary to legalise the signature and seal of the issuing authority.

Certification of copies in Portugal

Upon presentation of the original document, photocopies may be certified by:

Notaries;
Lawyers and solicitors;
Parish councils;
CTT - Portuguese Post Office, S. A.;
Legally recognised chambers of commerce and industry.

Legalisation of foreign documents

Where necessary, legalisation may be carried out by:

An Apostille issued by the competent authority of the country of origin of the document, where the Convention applies between that country and Portugal;
Consular legalisation, through the relevant Portuguese consular services, in accordance with the formalities required in the country of origin.

The certificate replaces consular legalisation where the Hague Convention applies. You can find out which States are covered by the Convention and their respective competent authorities.

Presentation on the RecOn platform

You must attach a legible and complete scan of the document, including the certification of the copy and, where applicable, the apostille or consular legalisation.

Certification of copies may be waived where ownership of the degree or diploma is proven by a public register that can be accessed via a unique identifier. Original electronic documents may also be submitted, in a non-editable format and bearing a qualified electronic signature from the issuing institution, provided that their authenticity is beyond doubt.

In case of doubt, the University of the Azores may request further information or verify the authenticity of the documents with the issuing authority.

5. Is a translation required?

Degrees, certificates and documents relating to course modules, syllabuses, duration of studies and final grades, drawn up in a language other than Portuguese, English, French or Spanish, must be accompanied by a translation into Portuguese duly certified by the competent authorities.

In the case of project work, work placement reports, dissertations, theses and the accompanying justifications written in any foreign language, including English, French or Spanish, the University of the Azores may request a duly certified translation into Portuguese.

In both cases, the University of the Azores may accept, as an alternative to Portuguese, a translation into English, French or Spanish.

Certification must relate to the content of the translation, mere verification of the signatures of the parties involved is not sufficient.

6. Can I quit my application for recognition?

Yes, and the fact that you quit your application does not prevent you from submitting a new application, either to the same institution or to another, however, this does not entitle you to a refund of the fee paid.

7. How does the eligibility determination process work for accessing public research funding?

When the recognition of a foreign academic degree or diploma is a condition of eligibility for public funding for research in science, technology, and innovation, the relevant national agencies shall waive the requirement to verify this condition during the application phase.

Verification is conducted only during the contract negotiation phase for the grants, therefore, the approval process must be completed by that time.