Many immigrants arrive in Portugal with a degree completed in their home country, only to find that the diploma alone does not open doors in the Portuguese job market. To work in certain professions or apply for roles that require an academic degree, you need to have your diploma recognised in Portugal. Here is how it works and where to start.
Equivalence or recognition?
The term "equivalence" has fallen out of use. Since 2019, under Decree-Law 66/2018, foreign higher-education degrees and diplomas go through recognition, in three different forms. Choosing the right route from the outset avoids lost months and fees paid without a useful result.
The three recognition routes
- Automatic recognition: the simplest and fastest. It only applies to degrees on an official list, and it must be exactly the listed degree — a degree "equivalent to" it will not do. It is handled by the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES).
- Level recognition: compares the foreign degree with the matching level of the Portuguese system (bachelor's, master's, doctorate), without going into the specific field.
- Specific recognition: the most detailed. It assesses the course content and is usually required for regulated professions and to continue studies. It is requested from a public higher-education institution that teaches in the same field.
Which documents you need
As a rule, the application requires:
- A certified copy of the diploma or a document proving you hold the degree;
- A transcript of records or academic history, where applicable;
- The Hague Apostille (or legalisation) of the documents in the country of origin;
- A certified translation into Portuguese, when the documents are in another language.
Getting the apostille while still in your home country, before travelling, is the advice that saves the most time — obtaining it from abroad is far slower.
What about regulated professions?
Professions such as healthcare, law, engineering and architecture have their own requirements, assessed by the relevant professional body or regulator, on top of degree recognition. In these cases, academic recognition is only one step — and not always enough to practise.
Before requesting any recognition, confirm what you need it for: to work, to apply for a public competition, or to continue studying. That goal defines the correct route.
How my office can help
I help identify the recognition route that fits your goal, check the legalisation and translation of your documents, and coordinate the process when the profession is regulated. This is part of my Private International Law service, which includes researching, translating and certifying foreign documents.
If you want your qualifications recognised and valued in Portugal, book a consultation, in person or online.