In short: Royal Decree 889/2022 of 18 October governs how foreign university degrees are recognised in Spain — either to gain access to a regulated profession (homologación) or to certify academic level (equivalencia). The procedure is fully online, open permanently, with no appointment needed.
In person or by representative? The procedure is entirely online via the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities electronic office. No physical attendance required. You need an electronic certificate or Cl@ve to sign the application.
Four pathways — choose the right one
1. Homologación — Recognises your foreign degree as equivalent to a specific Spanish official degree (Grado or Máster). Mandatory for regulated professions (doctor, nurse, veterinarian, pharmacist, architect, engineer, lawyer, teacher, etc.). The Annex to RD 889/2022 lists all regulated professions requiring homologación. Competent authority: Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
2. Equivalencia — Certifies the academic level of your degree (Grado or Máster level) without assigning it to a specific Spanish qualification. Does not enable regulated professions, but is sufficient for many unregulated jobs, civil service positions requiring a degree level, or postgraduate admissions.
3. Convalidación — Recognition of individual subjects or credits completed abroad, in order to continue studies at a Spanish university. Managed by the receiving university directly — contact each university for its own procedure.
4. EU professional qualifications recognition (Directive 2005/36/EC) — Only for graduates from EU/EEA/Switzerland countries in EU-harmonised regulated professions. Different procedure; see ENIC-NARIC or email [email protected].
Important exception: Foreign degrees in Health Sciences specialisations (specialist doctors, etc.) are governed by their own specific rules (Additional Provision 1 of RD 889/2022). Contact the Ministry of Health for those specialisations.
Documents required (homologación and equivalencia)
The official Valida-TE portal is the authoritative reference. General requirements under RD 889/2022 and the Ministry's Instruction of 23 October 2024:
- Degree or diploma (or certificate of award) legalised via apostille (Hague Convention) or diplomatic channels — not required for EU/EEA/Switzerland documents; required for UK documents post-Brexit and for Ukrainian documents
- Official academic transcript listing subjects, ECTS credits (or equivalent) and grades
- Sworn translation into Spanish by a certified (jurado) translator if documents are not in Spanish
- Identity document (passport or TIE)
- Proof of tasa payment
- Proof of Spanish language proficiency if you are from a country where Spanish/Castilian is not an official language (Instruction art. 3.1.m) — applies to Ukrainian applicants
The exact list may vary by country and degree type. Check the "Instructions for attaching documents" on the sede before submitting.
Fee
€166.50 — Modelo 790, code 107. Payable online or at a collaborating bank. If someone pays on your behalf, your full name must appear in the payment reference.
Timelines
The statutory maximum for a decision is 6 months from the date of a complete application (RD 889/2022). In practice, delays beyond 6 months are common. If the Administration fails to decide within 6 months, negative administrative silence (presumed refusal) applies, opening the path to appeal.
How to apply
Steps:
- Read Valida-TE first — understand the procedure, documents and user guides before starting.
- Legalise and have documents translated (apostille or diplomatic + sworn Spanish translation).
- Pay the €166.50 fee via Modelo 790-107 (online or at a collaborating bank).
- Go to: Homologación — universidades.sede.gob.es/procedimientos/.../idp/1029 or Equivalencia — idp/1030.
- Complete the electronic form with digital certificate or Cl@ve and upload scanned documents.
- Save your submission receipt — proof of filing while the case is processed.
- Track your case at universidades.sede.gob.es/procedimientos/.../idp/1407.
Questions before applying: NARIC Spain — P.º de la Castellana 162, Madrid. Tel. +34 916 038 917.
Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case. RD 889/2022 and the Ministry's electronic office are the binding references.