Recognition of Foreign Degrees and Diplomas
Automatic Recognition
Act which allows a generical recognition of a higher education foreign degree or diploma with identical level, objectives and nature to the Portuguese degrees of licenciado, mestre or doutor and the short cycle professional higher technical diplomas. The degrees or diplomas concerned must be included in the list approved by the commission for the recognition of foreign degrees and diplomas (please, check the document below) and awarded by a higher education institution accredited at the home country.
Level Recognition
Act that allows to recognize by comparison, on a case-by-case basis, a degree or diploma awarded by a foreign higher education institution, to a Portuguese academic degree (licenciado, mestre or doutor) or to the short cycle professional higher technical diplomas. This kind of recognition must be requested to a Portuguese Public Higher Education Institution which awards a degree or diploma in the same field of knowledge.
Ckeck the programmes we offer
Specific Recognition
Act that allows to recognize a degree or diploma awarded by a foreign higher education institution as identical to a Portuguese academic degree or higher education diploma, through comparison, on a case-by-case basis, of the level, duration and programmatic content, in a certain area of formation, field of knowledge or specialty. Please, check all the programmes at IPLeiria.

Fees
Type | Issued in paper (cost in euros €) | Digital form (cost in euros €) |
---|---|---|
Automatic recognition | 50 | |
Automatic recognition with the conversion of the final grade | 100 | |
Level recognition to a higher education diploma or to the degrees of licenciatura or mestrado | 600 | |
Level recognition to a higher education diploma or to the degrees of licenciatura or mestrado with the conversion of the final grade | 650 | |
Specific recognition to a higher education diploma or to a programme of licenciatura or mestrado | 600 | |
Conversion of the final grade, after the automatic or level recognition has been granted | 100 | – |
Replacement Copy of the Certificate | 25 | 20 |
Relevant documents and information
The processes of recognition of foreign degrees and diplomas are established according to the legal regime published and regulated by:
Other – Identification of the fields of knowledge:
Contact us
Online
The best way to reach us is through e-mail, allowing us to assess all your questions and send you the relevant links and information. You may do so to academicos@ipleiria.pt .
Telephone
Monday to Friday, between 9.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. and between 2.00 and 5.00 p.m..
Number: + 351 244 830 010
In-Person
Below, you may schedule an appointment to one of our offices located in Leiria or Caldas da Rainha.
Appointment of Jury
FAQ
The recognition request is submitted through the online form, available in the DGES’ website.
Automatic Recognition | Level Recognition | Specific Recognition | Documents | Verification of their authenticity | Translation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
X | X | X | Diploma or certificate that proves the award of the degree | Digital – Verification of the diploma or certificate through an identification number, in case the foreign higher education institution has a centralised registry that can be publicly accessed through an unique identifier. Paper – Original Diploma or Certificate or Certified copy of it. Except for the EU countries, all the originals must be legalised, as explained in the next FAQ. The originals can be presented at our offices. | a) |
X | X | X | Certificate or other document, issued by the foreign higher education institution, clearly stating the final grade and the classification scale in use, including the minimum for approval and the maximum. | Digital – as long as its authenticity is unambiguous, the file is non-editable and bears qualified electronic signature, affixed by the competent authorities of that institution. It must be verifiable. Paper – Original Certificates or Certified copies of them. Except for the EU countries, all the originals must be legalised, as explained in the next FAQ. The originals can be presented at our offices. | a) |
X | X | Transcript of Records | Digital – as long as its authenticity is unambiguous, the file is non-editable and bears qualified electronic signature, affixed by the competent authorities of that institution. It must be verifiable. Paper – Original Certificates or Certified copies of them. Except for the EU countries, all the originals must be legalised, as explained in the next FAQ. The originals can be presented at our offices. | a) | |
X | X | Certificate with the syllabus of the subjects that the student took to complete the degree, issued by the foreign higher education institution | Digital – as long as its authenticity is unambiguous, the file is non-editable and bears qualified electronic signature, affixed by the competent authorities of that institution. It must be verifiable. Paper – Original Certificates or Certified copies of them. Except for the EU countries, all the originals must be legalised, as explained in the next FAQ. The originals can be presented at our offices. | a) | |
X | X | Dissertation, Thesis, Project Report, Internship Report or other final project presented for the conclusion of the degree | Only for master and doctoral programmes. In case these documents were not needed for the conclusion of the foreign degree, their presentation here is waived. Instead, the applicant must present a certificate or other document issued by the foreign higher education institution that undoubtedly proves the aforementioned situation. | a) |
According to the Portuguese legislation in force, the documents issued by foreign higher education institutions can be legalised by the Portuguese Consulate or Embassy in the country where the documents were issued or by the Hague Apostille.
- Automatic Recognition: 30 working days after the full completion of all necessary steps for the application.
- Level recognition: 90 working days after the full completion of all necessary steps for the application.
- Specific recognition: 90 working days after the full completion of all necessary steps for the application.
Yes. If you cancel the request, you may present a new one, to this Institute or to another Public Higher Education Institution in Portugal. However, if you have already paid, cancelling does not grant you the right to a refund.