Ukrainian Diploma Recognition in Portugal: Step-by-Step Guide

€27.60 and 37 days - that’s what it cost and how long it took for one Ukrainian woman to get her Master’s degree recognized through Universidade do Porto. Her husband wasn’t as lucky - 70 days for the same procedure, because the response from his Ukrainian university took longer. If you’re in Portugal and want to work in your field or continue studying, you’ll need reconhecimento do grau académico (academic degree recognition). Let’s figure out which type you need, what to translate, and where you can save money.

Three types of diploma recognition in Portugal¶

Since January 1, 2019, Portugal operates under Decreto-Lei nº 66/2018, which completely replaced the old equivalência (equivalence) system. Foreign diplomas now go through reconhecimento (recognition), and there are three options:

All three types carry equal legal weight. The difference is in speed, cost, and level of detail.

Automatic recognition - the fastest option¶

If your diploma is on the approved list maintained by DGES (Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior - Directorate-General for Higher Education), you qualify for automatic recognition. It’s the fastest and cheapest path: 30 days max, minimal paperwork.

Good news: Ukrainian diplomas are on this list. Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Ukrainian universities qualify for automatic recognition. The Specialist diploma (Спеціаліст) qualifies if the program lasted 5+ years under the Bologna system or 4+ years under the old system.

Check whether your specific diploma qualifies at the DGES portal: dges.gov.pt/recon/formulario - enter the country, university, specialization, and see the result.

Level recognition - if automatic doesn’t apply¶

If your diploma isn’t on the automatic recognition list, apply for reconhecimento de nível. A Portuguese public university compares your diploma’s level to local degrees: licenciado (bachelor), mestre (master), doutor (doctorate).

You apply directly to a university that has a comparable program, not to DGES. Pick one with a faculty in your field - it speeds things up. Main options: Universidade de Lisboa, Universidade do Porto, Universidade de Coimbra, Universidade do Algarve.

Specific recognition - for regulated professions¶

If you’re a doctor, engineer, architect, psychologist, nurse, pharmacist, or lawyer, you need specific recognition. Without it, Portugal won’t let you practice.

Regulated professions in Portugal:

• Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary science
• Nursing (enfermeiro/a), physiotherapy
• Engineering (civil, electrical, mechanical)
• Architecture
• Psychology
• Lawyer (advogado)

If your field isn’t on this list (IT, marketing, business, design, tourism, journalism) - automatic or level recognition is enough. In some cases, you might not need recognition at all - more on that below.

Required documents and what needs translation¶

The basic package is the same for all three types:

*Here’s an important detail: if your diploma was issued in two languages (Ukrainian + English), you don’t need a Portuguese translation. Portugal accepts documents in English, French, and Spanish without translation.

Apostille - start here¶

The apostille is applied in Ukraine to your diploma and supplement. It’s done by Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science (MON) or through CNAP centers. Cost: 350-700 UAH per document. Both countries are parties to the Hague Convention, so consular legalization isn’t needed.

If your documents were destroyed or lost due to the war, Article 13 of Portaria nº 33/2019 allows Portuguese universities to waive the original document requirement in humanitarian cases. They can use the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees or alternative verification through ENIC Ukraine.

Translation - tradução certificada¶

If your diploma is only in Ukrainian, it needs to be translated into Portuguese. In Portugal, this is called tradução certificada (certified translation) - a translation verified by an authorized person.

Who can certify the translation:

• Advogado (lawyer) - the most popular option, often cheaper and faster
• Notário (notary) - official certification
• Ukrainian consulate in Portugal
• Câmara de Comércio e Indústria (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)

Portugal doesn’t have a “sworn translator” system like Germany or Spain. A translator does the work, then a lawyer or notary certifies it. Most Ukrainians go through a lawyer - it’s faster and cheaper than a notary.

Translation costs¶

Total translation budget: €170-380, depending on the supplement’s length.

Pro tip: diplomas issued after 2014-2015 come in two languages - Ukrainian and English. If yours is bilingual, you don’t need a Portuguese translation - saving you €170-380. Check your diploma before ordering a translation.

For comparison: sworn translation in France costs €30-50 per page, while in Spain it’s €65-85 per page plus 21% IVA.

How to apply: step by step¶

Automatic recognition (through DGES)¶

Step 1. Check if your diploma is on the list at the DGES portal: dges.gov.pt/recon/formulario. Enter the country (Ucrânia), university name, and graduation year.

Step 2. Fill out the online form on the same portal. Upload scans: diploma with apostille, supplement with apostille, translation (if needed), passport.

Step 3. Pay the fee (€27-40 depending on the issuing institution).

Step 4. Wait. The legal maximum is 30 days. In practice, 5 to 10 weeks, because DGES verifies the diploma through ENIC Ukraine, which contacts your university.

Step 5. Receive your recognition certificate. You’ll get an email notification. Bring your passport and payment receipt to pick up the document.

Level or specific recognition (through a university)¶

Step 1. Choose a Portuguese public university with a comparable program.

Step 2. Upload documents through the university’s portal (each has its own submission form).

Step 3. Pay the fee (€30-200+ - each university sets its own prices).

Step 4. Wait for the decision - up to 90 days by law.

One Ukrainian woman shared her experience on withportugal.com: “I applied through Universidade do Porto with a Master’s in Economics from 2009. Paid €27.60. Nobody asked about residency status the entire time - you can apply even without a residence permit.” Her process took 37 days, while her husband had to wait 70 - it all depends on how quickly the Ukrainian university responds.

Full budget breakdown¶

For comparison: diploma recognition in Germany (Anerkennung) costs €100-600 and takes 3-4 months. Homologación in Spain - €166.50 government fee plus €400-700 for translation, with a 6-24 month wait. Portugal is one of the cheapest and fastest options in the EU.

When recognition ISN’T needed¶

Not every job requires formal recognition. If your field isn’t regulated, employers can accept your diploma without reconhecimento.

Fields where recognition usually isn’t required:

• IT and software development
• Marketing and advertising
• Design
• Tourism and hospitality
• Journalism and communications
• Business and management

But recognition is worth getting if you want to:

• Enroll in a Portuguese university
• Work in the public sector
• Register with IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional - the employment center) as a qualified professional
• Get a position that specifically requires a Portuguese-equivalent degree

Especially since €27 for automatic recognition is one of the lowest thresholds in Europe.

FAQ¶

How much does Ukrainian diploma recognition in Portugal cost?¶

Automatic recognition runs €27 to €40. Level recognition is €30 to €200. Specific recognition for regulated professions goes from €100 to €1,000+. Add apostille costs (€15-30) and translation (€170-380) if your diploma is only in Ukrainian.

Do I need to translate my diploma into Portuguese?¶

Only if it was issued exclusively in Ukrainian. Portugal accepts documents in English, French, and Spanish without translation. Diplomas issued after 2014-2015 are often bilingual (Ukrainian + English). Check yours before ordering a translation.

How long does recognition take?¶

Automatic recognition takes 30 days maximum by law, but realistically 5-10 weeks due to verification with the Ukrainian university. Level or specific recognition takes up to 90 days.

Do I need a residence permit to apply for recognition?¶

No. Based on the experience of Ukrainians who’ve been through the process, nobody asks about residency status when submitting documents. You can apply regardless of your immigration status.

What if my documents were lost or destroyed because of the war?¶

Portaria nº 33/2019 (Article 13) allows Portuguese universities to accept applications without originals in humanitarian cases. Contact your chosen university and explain the situation - they can use alternative verification through ENIC Ukraine or the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees.