Equivalencia in Spain: Complete Guide & Checklist
If you studied outside Spain and need official recognition of your university degree for academic or administrative purposes, this guide will help you understand what equivalencia is, when it applies, what documents are usually needed, and where sworn translations fit in.
What Equivalencia Means
Equivalencia is the procedure used to recognise a foreign university qualification at the Spanish academic level of Grado or Máster. It is designed for academic and administrative recognition in Spain.
That makes it different from homologación, which is the route used when a qualification needs to give access to a regulated profession in Spain, and different from convalidación, which is used when you want subjects or studies recognised so you can continue studying.
What Equivalencia Is For
Continuing Studies
Equivalencia can be useful when a university asks for official recognition of your foreign degree.
Public-Sector Applications
It can be used to participate in selective processes as a public employee where the academic level matters.
Explaining Your Qualification
It helps employers and institutions understand the academic level your foreign degree corresponds to in Spain.
What Equivalencia Does Not Do
Equivalencia does not authorise you to exercise a regulated profession in Spain. If your goal is professional access to a regulated profession, the correct route is usually homologación, not equivalencia.
There is one important nuance: a degree that leads to a regulated profession can still be the subject of an equivalencia application if the applicant does not intend to use it for professional practice.
Minimum Requirements at a Glance
Equivalencia to Grado
The foreign degree should be an official university title in the country of origin, normally with at least three years of full-time study or the equivalent of 180 ECTS, and it should give access to master's-level study.
Equivalencia to Máster
The foreign degree should be an official university title in the country of origin, normally with at least one year of full-time study or the equivalent of 60 ECTS, and it should give access to doctoral study.
Important note about doctorate-level recognition: If the foreign qualification is at doctoral level, the declaration of equivalence to Doctor is handled by Spanish universities rather than through this ministry procedure.
Step-by-Step Guide
Confirm the Correct Route
Make sure your case calls for equivalencia and not homologación or convalidación.
Identify the Level
Be clear whether you are seeking recognition at the level of Grado or Máster.
Gather the Documents
Prepare the identity document, degree, academic certificate or transcript, and any required supporting records.
Check Apostille or Legalisation
Depending on the issuing country, your documents may need apostille or diplomatic legalisation.
Get Sworn Translations
If the documents are not in Spanish, they generally need an official Spanish translation.
Submit Online
The application is filed through the electronic portal rather than by paper.
Pay the Fee
Keep proof of payment together with the rest of your file. The ministry currently lists a fee of 166,50 €, though official fees should always be checked before filing.
Monitor the File
After submission, check the status of the file and respond if more documentation is requested.
Documents Commonly Needed for Equivalencia
- Identity document — passport, DNI, NIE, or other valid identification
- Degree certificate — the degree itself or an official certificate showing that it was issued
- Academic certificate or transcript — showing the duration of the studies, subjects completed, and total workload in hours or ECTS
- Diploma Supplement — in some cases, the European Diploma Supplement can be used as part of the academic record
- Certificate for transferred credits — if more than 15% of the total credits came from another institution, you may need a certificate from the institution where those credits originated
- Proof of payment — keep the fee receipt or confirmation with the rest of the application file
Equivalencia Checklist
Before You Begin
- I confirmed that equivalencia is the correct route for my case
- I know whether I need recognition at Grado or Máster level
- I confirmed that I am not using this procedure for access to a regulated profession
- If my goal is professional practice in a regulated profession, I checked homologación instead
Core Documents
- Valid identity document ready
- Degree certificate or official certificate of issuance ready
- Academic certificate, transcript, or Diploma Supplement ready
- My academic record clearly shows duration, subjects, and workload
- If needed, I obtained the certificate for transferred credits over 15%
Legalisation and Translations
- I checked whether my documents need apostille or legalisation
- I confirmed whether an exemption applies because the documents were issued in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland
- Every non-Spanish academic document has an official Spanish translation
- My translations match the final versions of the documents I will submit
Submission
- My files are clearly scanned and organised
- I prepared to submit through the electronic portal
- I paid the fee and saved proof of payment
- I know how I will monitor the file after submission
Where Sworn Translations Fit into the Process
For many applicants, translation is one of the most practical steps in preparing the file. If the degree documents are not in Spanish, official translations are normally part of having a usable application for Spain.
The documents most commonly needing sworn translation for equivalencia are the degree certificate, the academic certificate or transcript, the Diploma Supplement if used, and any related supporting documents.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using the Wrong Procedure
One of the most common problems is preparing an equivalencia file when the actual goal is professional access to a regulated profession, which points to homologación instead.
Incomplete Academic Records
Missing information about subjects, study duration, workload, or transferred credits can create delays.
Skipping Apostille or Translation
Translation and apostille are separate steps. A correct translation does not replace legalisation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Equivalencia is official recognition of a foreign university degree at the Spanish academic level of Grado or Máster for academic and administrative purposes.
No. Equivalencia has academic and administrative effects. Homologación is the route used for access to a regulated profession in Spain.
No. Equivalencia does not have professional effects for regulated professions.
Spanish universities handle equivalencia to the academic level of Doctor.
Very often, yes. If the academic documents are not in Spanish, an official Spanish translation is usually required.
Sometimes. Whether apostille or legalisation is needed depends on the issuing country and whether an exemption applies.
The ministry currently lists a fee of 166,50 €, although official fees should always be checked again before filing.
Generally, no for this route. Shorter university studies often point instead to partial convalidación in a Spanish university.
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