47 comments under a post asking “how to get equivalence for a Ukrainian diploma in France” - and every single one says the same thing: diploma equivalence doesn’t exist in France. Not legally, not administratively, not at all. What actually works is an attestation de comparabilité, an official document from ENIC-NARIC France. The difference between “equivalence” and “attestation of comparability” can cost you months of searching for something that isn’t there. Let’s break down how this system actually works, what you need to translate, and how much it’ll run you.
Why “diploma equivalence” is a myth¶
France has no legal principle of equivalence between foreign and French diplomas. It wasn’t abolished or banned - it simply never existed. No authority can issue a document saying “your Ukrainian degree equals a French Master’s.”
What does exist is an attestation de comparabilité (attestation of comparability). It’s an official statement that compares your diploma’s level to the French qualification framework. It’s issued by ENIC-NARIC France, a center within France Éducation International.
Here’s the key distinction: the attestation is an expert opinion, not legal recognition. The document says “your diploma corresponds to License (Bachelor’s) / Master / Doctorat level” - but the final decision on hiring or university admission always belongs to the employer or institution.
In practice, most employers and universities accept the attestation without issues. Because the alternative - figuring out the Ukrainian education system on their own - isn’t exactly appealing.
Don’t confuse the terminology:
| Term | What it is | Does it exist in France? |
|---|---|---|
| Attestation de comparabilité | Official comparison of your diploma’s level with the French system | Yes - the only official document |
| Équivalence (equivalence) | Legal recognition that a foreign diploma equals a French one | No - doesn’t exist |
| Homologation | Historical term for diploma registration | Outdated, no longer used |
Two types of attestations from ENIC-NARIC¶
| Document | Who it’s for | What it confirms |
|---|---|---|
| Attestation de comparabilité | You’ve completed your degree and have a diploma | Your diploma’s level in the French/European qualifications framework |
| Attestation de reconnaissance de période d’études | You didn’t finish - thesis not defended, last year not completed | Number of confirmed years of study |
Got a Bachelor’s or Master’s from a Ukrainian university? You need the first one. Dropped out in your fourth year? The second.
How to apply: step-by-step¶
The entire process is online. You don’t need to go anywhere in person.
Step 1. Register at phoenix.france-education-international.fr. You’ll get a case number by email within 24 hours.
Step 2. Log into your account, fill in the fields, upload documents (PDF format, 2 MB max per file).
Step 3. Pay 20 EUR for the admissibility check (admissibilité - basically checking that your application package is correct).
Step 4. If your application passes - pay 100 EUR for the expert assessment.
Step 5. ENIC-NARIC France contacts ENIC Ukraine, who verify your diploma with your university.
Step 6. Receive your attestation as a PDF by email. You can track the status at phoenix.france-education-international.fr/dossier.
Payment: Visa/Mastercard or bank transfer only. No refunds.
Free for Ukrainians with temporary protection¶
If you have an APS with temporary protection - the entire process is free and gets priority treatment. Zero euros instead of 120. This applies to refugees, asylum seekers, and beneficiaries of temporary or subsidiary protection.
Some numbers from ENIC-NARIC: in the first half of 2023 alone, the center processed 1,668 applications from Ukrainians. By August 2023 - already 3,324. 90% of applicants were beneficiaries of temporary protection. Comparing Ukrainian diplomas is relatively straightforward since both Ukraine and France use the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
How long does it take?¶
| Category | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Standard application | 4-6 months |
| Ukrainians with temporary protection | Priority processing (significantly faster) |
The main bottleneck is verification. ENIC-NARIC France contacts ENIC Ukraine, who then reach out to your university. This step alone can take up to 4 months, especially if your university is in a conflict zone.
Which documents need translation and how much does it cost?¶
You’ll need three things for the application:
- ID document (passport or APS card)
- Your diploma in the original language
- Diploma supplement or academic transcript with grades
The rule: all documents in Ukrainian must be translated into French by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté - a translator who’s taken an oath before the Court of Appeal and has an official seal).
There’s an exception for six languages: German, English, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese - documents in these languages don’t need sworn translation. Ukrainian isn’t on this list. Translation is mandatory.
Sworn translation prices¶
| Document | Price |
|---|---|
| Diploma (1 page) | 30-45 EUR |
| Diploma supplement | 35-50 EUR per page |
| Academic transcript (4-5 pages) | 160-200 EUR |
A typical package - diploma, supplement, and transcript - runs about 235-285 EUR for translation. Plus 120 EUR for the attestation (or 0 EUR with temporary protection). Total: 235-405 EUR for everything.
On a forum for Ukrainians in France, one woman shared her experience: “The translation of my diploma and supplement cost 140 euros, the attestation was free because of protection temporaire. Got my answer in 6 weeks - they evaluated my diploma as Master 2.” For comparison: diploma recognition in Germany (Anerkennung) costs 100-600 EUR and takes 3-4 months.
Where to find a sworn translator for Ukrainian¶
- annuaire-traducteur-assermente.fr - official registry, 187 translators across 36 Courts of Appeal
- paris-ua.com - convenient directory for Ukrainians
- Embassy of Ukraine - regional lists
ChatsControl can help with preliminary translation of your documents - to understand the content before visiting a sworn translator or to prepare a draft that speeds up their work and saves you money.
Regulated vs. non-regulated professions¶
The attestation de comparabilité works for most professions - IT, marketing, management, even engineering (in France, engineering isn’t a regulated profession, though the “ingénieur diplômé” title is protected). The employer sees your level in the attestation and makes their own call.
But there are professions where the attestation is just the starting point. These require additional exams.
Doctors (PADHUE procedure)¶
The hardest path by far. You need to pass the EVC exam (Épreuves de Vérification des Connaissances) - a national competitive examination. In 2024, the pass rate was about 16% (19,691 candidates for 4,000 spots, only 3,200 actually admitted). Maximum 4 attempts. French language level B2 minimum required.
After the exam - 2 years of clinical practice in a public hospital (PCC). Then the CAE commission validates your file, and finally - registration with the Ordre des Médecins. Total timeline: roughly 3 years from start to full authorization.
For Ukrainian medical professionals with temporary protection, a simplified fast-track procedure has been available since 2022.
Lawyers¶
You need to pass an exam on French law: a written consultation (3 hours) plus two oral exams (civil procedure 20 minutes, professional ethics 15 minutes). You must be a registered lawyer in Ukraine at the time of application.
Architects¶
Registration with the Ordre des Architectes is mandatory. Non-EU citizens need authorization from the regional prefect. Your diploma must be on the official list of recognized architecture degrees.
Teachers (public education)¶
You’ll need to pass French competitive exams (concours) - CAPES, Agrégation. The attestation de comparabilité helps establish your eligibility to sit for the exam, but there’s no direct recognition of foreign teaching diplomas.
If your documents were lost due to the war¶
If you’ve lost your education documents because of the war, there are alternative paths.
EQPR (European Qualifications Passport for Refugees) - a European-level initiative for people who can’t provide complete documentation. You fill out a self-assessment questionnaire and go through a structured interview with two credentials evaluators. It’s free, valid for 5 years, and available through ENIC-NARIC France.
VAE (Validation des Acquis de l’Expérience) - validation of professional experience to obtain a French diploma. You need at least 1 year of relevant experience. Apply through vae.gouv.fr. All foreign documents must also be translated by a sworn translator.
FAQ¶
How much does it cost to get a Ukrainian diploma recognized in France?¶
The attestation de comparabilité from ENIC-NARIC France costs 120 EUR (20 EUR admissibility check + 100 EUR expert assessment). For Ukrainians with temporary protection - it’s free. Add sworn translation costs: 235-285 EUR for a typical package (diploma + supplement + transcript).
Does diploma equivalence exist in France?¶
No. France has no legal principle of equivalence for foreign diplomas. The attestation de comparabilité compares your diploma’s level with the French system but doesn’t make it legally equal to any specific French diploma. The hiring or admission decision is always up to the employer or university.
Do I need a sworn translation of my diploma for the attestation de comparabilité?¶
Yes. Documents in Ukrainian must be translated by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté). The only exceptions are documents in English, German, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese. Translations done in Ukraine aren’t accepted in France.
Can Ukrainian doctors practice medicine in France with their diploma?¶
Not right away. You need to pass the EVC exam (about 16% pass rate), complete 2 years of clinical practice, and get authorization from the CAE commission. A simplified procedure has been available for Ukrainian medical professionals with temporary protection since 2022.
What if my education documents were lost because of the war?¶
Two options: EQPR (European Qualifications Passport for Refugees) - free, valid for 5 years, processed through ENIC-NARIC France. Or VAE - validation of professional experience to earn a French diploma, requires at least 1 year of relevant experience. Apply at vae.gouv.fr.
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