Take a year to prepare for studying at Spanish university and the PCE access exam with our University Pathway program in Spain. We help you with the paperwork!
If you are not from the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or a country with whom Spain has a special agreement and you want to earn a Bachelor or Master degree at a University in Spain, you will need to go through a series of procedures.
First of all, you will need a student visa to study at a University in Spain. You will already have your student visa if you are doing the University pathway course in Spain or any intensive Spanish language course with Linguaschools for longer than 180 days. In that case, contact us and we will help you extend your study visa.
Index
Homologation of your diploma, full procedure explained
Step 1 – Get the Hague Apostille
Step 2 – Obtain a sworn translation (traducción jurada)
Step 3 – Homologation of your certificate
Guides per country
Homologation of your diploma, full procedure explained
As part of our article on how to apply to a university in Spain for international students, the first step is the homologation and recognition or legalization of your diploma and grades from the last 3 years of high school in your country of origin.
To use your school certificates for a university application in Spain, you must follow a specific three-step process: Apostille first, then Sworn Translation. The homologation itself is the final step.
Step 1 – Get the Hague Apostille
The Apostille must be obtained in the country that issued the document. It cannot be done in Spain for foreign documents.
Where to go: Contact the competent authority in your home country, typically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Education.
What it does: This stamp or sticker certifies that the signature and seal on your certificate are authentic for use in other Hague Convention countries like Spain.
Important: Ensure you apostille the original document or a notarized copy if specifically required by your chosen university.
Step 2 – Obtain a sworn translation (traducción jurada)
Once you have the Apostille, you must have the entire document (including the text of the Apostille itself) translated into Spanish.
Find an Official Translator: You must use a translator accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC).
Verification: Check the official list of sworn translators to ensure they are currently practicing.
The result: The final translation must include the translator’s official stamp, signature, and a certification statement confirming its accuracy.
Checklist:
Apostille first: Get the stamp in your home country before anything else.
Entire document: Ensure the translator sees the back of the pages and any attached Apostille seals.
Official only: Do not use standard translation services; Spanish universities only accept Traducciones Juradas.
Step 3 – Homologation of your certificate
Linguaschools students taking the University pathway program with us, will do this step of the process from Spain, once they have started the program. Of course we will fully guide you, so you can be sure you have all paperwork done before applying to the University in Spain.
The correct procedure for the homologation depends on your current place of residence (that is, the city where you are living at the time of the application). For instance:
Homologation of your school certificate in Barcelona
If you are currently living in Barcelona, you must submit your application through this website (Generalitat de Catalunya > Tria Educativa)
Homologation of your school certificate in Madrid
If you are living in Madrid, you must apply through this website (Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports > Access to the online application)
Homologation of your school certificate from outside Spain
If you are currently living in another country, you must apply through the Spanish embassy or consulate in that country.
Each institution has its own rules: some allow you to complete the entire process online, while others require you to do it in person. In addition, each institution requests different documentation, so it’s essential to carefully check the information provided on the website of the appropriate organization.
However, all of them require that your documents be certified and officially translated into Spanish (sworn translation).
How long does the homologation process in Spain take?
The process of homologation of certificates in Spain can take between six months up to one year. Because of this, it is very important to request a certificate (volante) confirming that the homologación process has started. With this document, you’ll be able to sit the PCE university entrance exams even if the final approval has not yet been granted.
Continue to read the complete guide how to apply to a University in Spain for International Students or sign up directly for one of our University Pathway programs in Spain.
Guides per country
Below we have made a list of several non-EU countries, where to get their apostille/legalization, and the official source for sworn translators:
| United States | United Kingdom | Australia |
| Canada | India | Brazil |
| China | Morocco | Philipines |
| Russia | Tunisia | Vietnam |
| Thailand | Egypt | Jordan |
Homologation of your school certificate from the United States
Where to get the Apostille
State documents: Secretary of State in the state of issue.
Federal documents: U.S. Department of State.
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Inglés”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from the United Kingdom
Where to get the Apostille
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Inglés”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from Australia
Where to get the Apostille
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters).
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Inglés”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from Canada
Where to get the Apostille
Global Affairs Canada or designated provincial authorities.
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters).
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Inglés” or “Francés”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from India
Where to get the Apostille
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after local state/SDM authentication.
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC).
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Homologation of your school certificate from Brazil
Where to get the Apostille
Authorized notary offices (Cartórios).
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Portugés”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from China
Where to get the Apostille
Ministry of Foreign Affairs or local Foreign Affairs Offices.
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Chino”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from Morocco
Where to get the Apostille
General documents: Local authorities in provinces/prefectures (Ministry of Interior).
Court documents: Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance.
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Árabe”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from Philippines
Where to get the Apostille
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Authentication Division.
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Inglés”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from Russia
Where to get the Apostille
Education docs: Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science (Rosobrnadzor).
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Ruso”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from Tunisia
Where to get the Apostille
Designated Notaries throughout the country or the Ministry of Justice.
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Árabe” or “Francés”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from Vietnam
Where to get the Apostille (per September 2026)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Consular Department).
Note: Use Consular Legalization if applying before Sept 11, 2026
Official source for Sworn Translators (traducción jurada)
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Vietnamita”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from Thailand
Thailand officially approved accession to the Hague Apostille Convention on December 9, 2025, the system is not yet fully operational for everyday use when writing this article.
Until it is fully implemented, you must follow these steps:
Certification: Have your school certificates certified by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Legalization Division).
Embassy stamp: Take those certified documents to the Embassy of Spain in Bangkok to get their final legalization stamp.
Sworn Translation: Once you have the Embassy stamp, get the document translated by a Sworn Translator recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) List (Choose “Tailandés”).
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Homologation of your school certificate from Egypt
Because Egypt do not use the Apostille system, you must follow the Diplomatic Legalization (chain of signatures) process to make your school certificates valid for a Spanish university.
Certification: Have your original certificates or diplomas stamped by the Ministry of Education. Take those documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cairo to verify the previous signature.
Embassy stamp: Take those certified documents to the Embassy of Spain in Cairo to get their final legalization stamp.
Sworn Translation: Once you have the Embassy stamp, get the document translated by a Sworn Translator recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC).
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Homologation of your school certificate from Jordan
Because EgyJordanpt do not use the Apostille system, you must follow the Diplomatic Legalization (chain of signatures) process to make your school certificates valid for a Spanish university.
Certification: Have your original certificates or diplomas stamped by the Ministry of Education. Take those documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Amman to verify the previous signature.
Embassy stamp: Take those certified documents to the Embassy of Spain in Amman to get their final legalization stamp.
Sworn Translation: Once you have the Embassy stamp, get the document translated by a Sworn Translator recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC)
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Continue to read the complete guide how to apply to a University in Spain for International Students or sign up directly for one of our University Pathway programs in Spain.
Other relevant articles
Study visa for Spain
- Do I need any visa to study Spanish in Spain?
- How to get a Spanish study visa for non-EU citizens? (applying from your home country)
- How to renew a Spanish student visa?
- Can I work in Spain with a student visa?
- Medical insurance for Spanish student visa – all you need to know
- What is the NIE and how do I get it?
- What is the TIE and how to get it?
Study at a Spanish University
- How to apply to a university in Spain for international students
- PCE University Spain access exam for students from EU, China, Norway, etc.
- Homologation of school certificate for international students in Spain
- How do you get ECTS credits as foreign student in Spain?
- The Best Universities in Barcelona for international students
- The Best Business Schools in Barcelona
- The Best Universities in Valencia for international students
- The Best Universities in Madrid for international students
- Things you didn’t know about The University of Granada
- The Best Universities in Spain for international students
Other interesting information
- Find the best English speaking lawyers in Spain
- The Linguaschools complete and comprehensive guide to Spanish paperwork.
Anything to add? Share your own experience in the comments below!
DISCLAIMER: We have gathered information to our best knowledge, from our experience, using several different (official) sources. Regulations change and interpretations may vary per country or region, but also between public office or staff. No rights can be derived from any of our articles. The content is merely a guide and we recommend you check information with official sources before and during the process.
