Degree homologation in Spain: apostille, sworn translation and Spanish level
Updated · Official sources checked
Short answer
To have a foreign degree recognised in Spain, the degree and the academic transcript must be apostilled (unless they come from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland) and accompanied by an official translation into Spanish. You also need proof of Spanish at B2 level or higher, and the application is made online.
Documents to apostille
Degree and academic transcript (RD 889/2022, art. 13.1)
Apostille exemption
Documents from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland
Translation
Official translation into Spanish, where applicable
Spanish language
DELE B2 or equivalent (art. 13.2)
What the decree asks for
Real Decreto 889/2022 governs the homologation of foreign higher-education degrees, and the declaration of their equivalence, in Spain. Article 13 lists the documents: among them the degree itself and an academic transcript showing the official length of the programme, the subjects, their teaching hours and any ECTS credits.
Those two documents “deberán presentarse legalizados por vía diplomática” or with a Hague apostille. That requirement does not apply to documents issued in the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland. All of them must be accompanied, where applicable, by “la correspondiente traducción oficial al castellano”: in practice, a sworn translation.
Applications are filed electronically, through the Ministry’s online office. Demand is high: according to the Ministry, it received 51,079 applications in 2025, and 72,337 were still pending in March 2026.
What that means for your degree
| Where the degree is from | Apostille | Official translation into Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes (the UK left the EU) | Yes |
| Ireland | No (EU document) | Yes, because it is in English |
| United States | Yes | Yes |
| Canada | Yes | Yes |
| Australia | Yes | Yes |
The Spanish language requirement
Article 13.2 asks applicants to prove their Spanish. The accepted proofs include a DELE diploma at B2 or higher, an official B2 certificate or higher from an escuela oficial de idiomas, a certificate that at least 75% of the studies were taught in Spanish, or a certificate that the education leading to university was taught in Spanish. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt.
For most English-speaking applicants this is the step that takes longest, so plan the language certificate alongside the apostille and the translation.
Questions
Juranza is a translation service, not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice. Requirements published by Spanish consulates and immigration offices change without notice — always check your own consulate before submitting.
Does my degree need a sworn translation for homologation in Spain?
Yes, if it is not in Spanish. Real Decreto 889/2022 asks for the official translation into Spanish of the degree and the transcript, and an official translation is one made by a sworn translator appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Does an Irish degree need an apostille?
No. Documents issued in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland are exempt from legalisation and apostille. An Irish degree in English still needs the official translation.
Can I apply at a Spanish embassy?
The decree makes the procedure electronic: the application is filed through the Ministry’s online office.
What level of Spanish do I need?
B2 or higher: a DELE B2, an official B2 certificate from an escuela oficial de idiomas, or one of the other proofs in art. 13.2, such as studies taught at least 75% in Spanish.