Requesting an equivalence of studies completed abroad with success for further integration in the Portuguese education system.
Portuguese citizens and foreigners who provide evidence that they hold qualifications obtained in foreign educational systems.
The equivalence is requested in primary and secondary schools in the respective area of residence in the country.
Note: Non-citizens residing in Portugal should address its request to the General Directorate of Education (DGE), by mail post.
Public schools and private and cooperative institutions endowed with pedagogical autonomy in the case of qualifications contemplated in Ordinance No. 224/2006, of 08/03 and No 699/2006, of 12/07.
Qualifications not included in Ordinance No. 224/2006, of 08/03 and No. 699/2006, of 12/07;
Qualifications obtained in European schools and international schools based in foreign countries;
Studies and diplomas certified by the International Baccalaureate Organization.
There is no time limit. Equivalence may be requested at any time of the year, within the customer service hours.
Equivalence application (Annex I, DL. No 227/2005, of 28/12, as amended by Statement of Rectification No 9/2006 of 6/02).
Certificate / Diploma of educational attainment completed successfully, in original and translated language (Portuguese), legalized / authenticated by:
- embassies or consular services of Portugal in the foreign country; or
- consular services or embassies of foreign countries in Portugal, or
- Apostille of The Hague, for the countries which acceded to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, ratified by Decree-Law No. 48450, published in the Government Gazette, 1st Series, No. 148 of 24 June 1968;
- Legible photocopy of current identity document (p. Ex., ID card, citizen card, passport, residence permit).
Note: proof of qualifications should be given, indicating the number of years of education, course of study or course completed with success and respective final grades or final average obtained.
Yes. If necessary, you may be asked to provide official information about the qualification that the is the basis of the equivalence request, such as:
Statement issued by the competent authority for this purpose, with information about the foreign education system (ex: number of years of schooling, entry conditions, school certification, grading scale and respective minimum passing grade, curriculum, syllabus).
No. It's free of charge.
The reference period is 30 days after the delivery of all necessary documents for the process.
This period may possibly be longer, depending on the specificity and nature of the request.
Yes. In the event of further education in primary or secondary education, particularly regarding students who are under compulsory education, there is room for conditional enrollment while running the process of equivalence.
Decree-Law No. 227/2005, of 28 December
Ordinance No. 224/2006 of March 8
Ordinance No. 699/2006 of 12 July
Legislative Order No. 7-B / 2015, May 7
