How do I get my foreign diploma recognised?

Direct answer

Two different things: academic recognition (for further study or a general statement of comparability) and professional recognition (to practise a regulated profession: nurse, teacher, engineer, electrician). DGES — NARIC Portugal (dges.gov.pt) — the ENIC-NARIC centre for Portugal — issues the comparability statement and tells you whether your profession is regulated and which authority recognises it. Regulated professions go to the competent authority per profession; EU qualifications benefit from the automatic or general system. Procuradoria-Geral da República — apostila (ministeriopublico.pt) handles school and higher-education recognition. Your diploma may first need an apostille and a sworn translation — AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (217 115 000).

Call firstDGES — NARIC Portugal

Report toProcuradoria-Geral da República — apostila

If that failsAIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo

🗣️ What to say

"I hold [diploma], awarded by [institution, country] in [year], and want to [work as … / continue studying in …] in Portugal. Is the profession regulated, which authority recognises the qualification, and what documents and translations do you need?"

🪜 Step by step

Regulated or not?Check the EU regulated-professions database or ask DGES — NARIC Portugal. Unregulated: employers decide, a comparability statement helps.
Comparability statement: DGES — NARIC PortugalOnline application, copies of diploma and transcript, translation. Weeks to a few months.
Regulated: the competent authorityDGES — NARIC Portugal names it. EU diplomas: recognition within months, possibly with an adaptation period or test.
Apostille and translationOften required for non-EU documents; the apostille comes from the issuing country. See the apostille page.
Refugees and missing documentsThe European Qualifications Passport for Refugees and interview-based assessments exist; ask DGES — NARIC Portugal.

📇 All contacts

DGES — NARIC PortugalRecognition of foreign degrees and diplomasRecognition of foreign qualifications🔗 www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/reconhecimento

Procuradoria-Geral da República — apostilaApostille on public documentsFor documents to be used abroad🔗 www.ministeriopublico.pt/perguntas-frequentes/apostila

AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e AsiloResidence permits, nationalityFor residence and nationality📞 217 115 000 🔗 aima.gov.pt

IEFP / Segurança Social — subsídio de desempregoRegistration at the job centre, benefitWithin 90 days of unemployment📞 300 010 001 🔗 www.iefp.pt

❓ Frequently asked

Does an EU diploma need recognition?

For a regulated profession yes — but the procedure is faster and often automatic (doctors, nurses, architects…). For an ordinary job, no.

What does it cost?

Comparability statements are cheap or free; professional recognition has fees per authority. Ask before you apply.

My profession is regulated and I am from outside the EU

Recognition is case by case, sometimes with an aptitude test. Start early; it can take a year.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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“diploma recognition Portugal”
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🎓 How do I get my foreign diploma recognised?