Credential Recognition in Portugal — Degree Equivalence

Types of Recognition

Portugal distinguishes between two main types of credential recognition, and understanding which one you need is the first step in the process:

• Academic recognition (reconhecimento académico) — Establishes the equivalence of your foreign qualification to a Portuguese academic level or specific degree. This is handled by universities or DGES.
• Professional recognition (reconhecimento profissional) — Authorises you to practise a regulated profession in Portugal. This is handled by the relevant professional order (ordem profissional).

For non-regulated professions, academic recognition is often sufficient. For regulated professions — including medicine, nursing, engineering, architecture, law, and pharmacy — you need both academic and professional recognition.

Academic Recognition (Equivalência)

Academic recognition in Portugal takes two forms:

Equivalência (Equivalence)

This process compares your foreign degree to a specific Portuguese degree programme and, if approved, grants you the same academic standing. It is handled by a Portuguese public university that offers the equivalent programme. You apply directly to the university’s academic services (serviços académicos).

Reconhecimento (Recognition of Level)

This acknowledges that your qualification corresponds to a certain academic level in Portugal (licenciatura, mestrado, or doutoramento) without matching it to a specific degree. It is processed by DGES or by a Portuguese university. This option is generally faster and is sufficient for many employment and further study purposes.

Automatic Recognition

Under Portaria n.º 227/2017 (and its subsequent updates), Portugal offers automatic recognition for certain foreign higher education qualifications. This is part of the Bologna Process framework and significantly simplifies the process.

Automatic recognition applies when:

• Your degree was awarded by a recognised institution in a country that participates in the Bologna Process
• The qualification fits within the European Higher Education Area framework (first cycle/licenciatura, second cycle/mestrado, third cycle/doutoramento)
• The degree’s credit load (ECTS) meets the minimum requirements for the corresponding Portuguese level

Automatic recognition is processed by DGES and is typically faster than the traditional equivalência process. Check the DGES website for the current list of covered countries and qualifications.

NARIC Portugal & DGES

The Direcção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES) is the Portuguese government body responsible for higher education policy and serves as the Portuguese NARIC centre (National Academic Recognition Information Centre). NARIC is part of a European network that facilitates academic credential recognition across countries.

DGES handles:

• Automatic recognition under Portaria 227/2017
• Recognition of academic level (reconhecimento de grau)
• Information and guidance on the equivalence process

Applications can be submitted through the DGES online portal. You can also contact them for guidance on which recognition pathway is appropriate for your situation.

Professional Recognition

If you want to work in a regulated profession in Portugal, academic recognition alone is not enough. You must also obtain professional recognition from the relevant professional order (ordem profissional). Portugal has professional orders for many fields, including:

• Ordem dos Médicos — Doctors and physicians
• Ordem dos Enfermeiros — Nurses
• Ordem dos Engenheiros — Engineers
• Ordem dos Arquitetos — Architects
• Ordem dos Advogados — Lawyers
• Ordem dos Farméticos — Pharmacists
• Ordem dos Médicos Dentários — Dentists
• Ordem dos Psicólogos — Psychologists

Each professional order sets its own requirements for recognising foreign qualifications. These may include:

• Submission of academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Passing a professional examination
• Completing a supervised practice period (estágio)
• Demonstrating Portuguese language proficiency
• Providing proof of professional experience in your home country

EU Directive 2005/36/EC

If you hold qualifications from an EU/EEA member state, the recognition of professional qualifications is governed by EU Directive 2005/36/EC (as amended). This directive provides for automatic recognition in some professions (doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, architects, veterinary surgeons, midwives) and a general system of recognition for others. Contact the relevant professional order in Portugal for the specific procedure.

Required Documents

The exact documents vary by institution and recognition type, but you will typically need:

• Original degree certificate (or certified copy) — with apostille or consular legalisation
• Academic transcripts — listing all subjects, grades, and credit hours, with apostille or legalisation
• Certified translation into Portuguese by a sworn translator (tradutor ajuramentado) or by the consulate
• Identification document — passport or residence permit
• NIF — your Portuguese tax identification number (see our NIF Guide)
• Curriculum vitae — for professional recognition applications
• Proof of professional experience — letters from employers, registration certificates from professional bodies in your home country (for regulated professions)
• Application form — provided by the receiving institution or professional order

Apostille & Legalisation

Before your foreign documents can be used in Portugal, they typically need to be authenticated:

Hague Apostille Convention

If your country is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents need an apostille stamp from the competent authority in the country where the document was issued. The apostille certifies the document’s authenticity and is recognised internationally among convention member states.

Consular Legalisation

If your country is not part of the Hague Convention, your documents need consular legalisation. This involves having the documents authenticated by the ministry of foreign affairs in your country, then by the Portuguese consulate (or the consulate of your country in Portugal).

Check the Hague Conference on Private International Law website to confirm whether your country is a convention member.

Costs & Timelines

Costs and processing times vary depending on the type of recognition and the institution handling it:

• Automatic recognition (DGES) — Generally faster, often processed within a few weeks. Fees are set by DGES and are published on their website.
• Equivalência at a university — Can take several months, as it involves comparing curricula in detail. University fees vary. Contact the academic services of the university directly.
• Professional recognition — Timelines depend on the professional order. Some require exams or supervised practice, which can extend the process to several months or longer. Fees vary by order.

Additional costs include sworn translation fees, apostille or legalisation fees, and any postage or travel costs. Budget for the total cost across all steps, not just the application fee.

School Certificate Recognition

If you need to have primary or secondary school certificates recognised in Portugal — for example, to enrol your children in school or to meet requirements for a job or training programme — the process is handled differently from higher education:

• For school enrolment: Portuguese schools can generally process the recognition of foreign school certificates directly when you enrol your child. Bring the original certificates, translated into Portuguese, with an apostille or consular legalisation.
• For other purposes: You may need to apply to a Portuguese school or the regional education directorate (Direção de Serviços Regional de Educação) for formal equivalence of your school-level qualifications.

See our School Enrolment guide for more details about enrolling children with foreign certificates.

Common Questions

How long does academic credential recognition take in Portugal?

Timelines vary depending on the type of recognition. Automatic recognition under Portaria 227/2017 can take a few weeks. Full equivalência through a Portuguese university may take several months. Check with the institution handling your application for current processing times.

Do I need an apostille on my degree certificate?

If your country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, yes — your documents need an apostille from the competent authority in the country where they were issued. If your country is not part of the convention, you need consular legalisation instead.

Can I work as a doctor, engineer, or lawyer with my foreign qualifications?

These are regulated professions in Portugal. You need recognition from the relevant professional order (Ordem dos Médicos, Ordem dos Engenheiros, Ordem dos Advogados, etc.) in addition to academic recognition. Each order has its own requirements, which may include exams, supervised practice, and Portuguese language proficiency.

What is the difference between equivalência and reconhecimento?

Equivalência (equivalence) compares your foreign qualification to a specific Portuguese degree and grants the same academic standing. Reconhecimento (recognition) acknowledges that your qualification has a certain academic level without matching it to a specific Portuguese degree. The best option depends on your purpose — employment, further study, or professional registration.

Is credential recognition required to work in Portugal?

For non-regulated professions, formal credential recognition is not always legally required — employers may accept your foreign qualifications directly. However, having recognised credentials strengthens your position. For regulated professions (healthcare, law, engineering, architecture, etc.), recognition is mandatory before you can practise.