Recognition of qualifications, validation of prior learning

Would you like to pursue university studies or work in certain professions in Luxembourg? To do so, you may need to provide certain certificates, diplomas, licenses, or other academic transcripts. These may be subject to recognition of equivalence by the Luxembourg government.

Regardless of your level of education and qualifications abroad, you can find out here what steps you need to take to have your diplomas recognized in Luxembourg.

Recognition of diplomas in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, certain foreign certificates and diplomas are not automatically recognized. However , diploma recognition can be useful if you wish to continue your education or enter certain professions.

Conditions for recognition of diplomas

Recognition of equivalence is subject to certain conditions. These depend on the type of qualification.

International Baccalaureate (IBO) diploma

The International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma is considered equivalent to the Luxembourg secondary school leaving certificate.

To be recognized in Luxembourg, the criteria set by the International Baccalaureate Organization must be met. These criteria relate in particular to exams, languages studied, and the length of schooling.

Diploma from a country that has signed the Paris or Lisbon conventions

Certificates and diplomas from a country that has signed a Council of Europe convention – Paris or Lisbon – may be recognized in Luxembourg.

However, the certificate or diploma in question must meet two main conditions:

• it must certify at least 12 years of consecutive successful study
• it must give access to higher education in the country of origin.

This is particularly the case for the following diplomas:

The baccalaureate

The high school diploma is a diploma obtained after passing the exam marking the end of secondary education. It provides access to higher education.

The maturité

The maturité is a certificate awarded at the end of secondary education in certain countries such as Albania, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, and Italy.

Please note! These conditions do not automatically lead to the recognition of a diploma. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by the relevant department.

Which countries have signed the Paris or Lisbon agreements?

The signatory countries are Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Romania, the United Kingdom, Russia, San Marino, the Holy See (Vatican), Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Diplomas from countries that are not signatories to the Paris or Lisbon Conventions

Diplomas from a country that is not a signatory to the Paris or Lisbon Conventions must meet several conditions in order to be recognized in Luxembourg.

The certification must comply with the requirements for countries that are signatories to either of the above conventions, but also with other criteria, as applicable.

Only the Diploma Recognition Service of the Ministry of Education can decide whether or not to recognize the diploma in question.

Cost of diploma recognition in Luxembourg

An application for recognition of a diploma is subject to a fee of €75. A compensatory amount of €300 will also be payable if an adaptation course or additional aptitude test is required.

How to pay the diploma recognition fee?

The fee must be paid in advance to the Administration of Registration, Domains and VAT. Proof of payment must be sent at the same time as the application for equivalence so that the file can be processed.

Payment of the fee does not prejudge the acceptance of the application. If equivalence is refused, this fee will not be refunded.

Proof of payment must be included with the application.

It is possible to obtain a duplicate of the equivalence certificate. The interested party must then pay a fee of €10.

For more information, see the page on the recognition of diplomas on guichet.lu.

Steps for recognizing a diploma

As with the conditions for recognition, the procedures to be followed depend on the type of diploma.

Diplomas from countries that have signed the Paris or Lisbon Conventions

To apply for recognition of a qualification, the applicant must compile a file. This must include the following documents:

• A copy of a valid identity document,
• A document stating the reason for the application,
• A CV detailing the applicant's educational background, as well as their place and date of birth,
• A copy of school reports for the last two years or, failing that, a certificate of attendance signed by the school principal,
• Any diplomas,
• Proof of payment of the fee.

Please note! If you are not a citizen of a European Union country, you must first have your documents (identity card, diploma, report cards, etc.) certified by an embassy, consulate, or local authority.

The documents must be written in Luxembourgish, French, German, or English. If not, they must be translated into one of these languages by a certified translator in Luxembourg. The translator's signature must appear on all documents. Otherwise, proof of the translator's certification must be included with the application.

The file must then be sent by post to the Diploma Recognition Service of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (MEN). A response will be sent to the applicant within approximately two to six weeks.

Diploma from a non-signatory country

To have a diploma from a country that has not signed the Paris or Lisbon conventions recognized, the applicant must compile a file containing the following items:

• A copy of a valid identity document,
• A written document stating the reason for the request,
• A CV detailing the applicant's educational background, as well as their place and date of birth,
• A copy of school reports for the last two years or, failing that, a certificate of attendance signed by the school principal,
• Any diplomas,
• A certificate of residence attesting to accommodation in one of the European Union member states,
• Proof of payment of the fee.

The application must also contain, as applicable:

• a diploma certifying completion of at least three years of higher education in a European Union member state,
• proof of enrollment or a diploma from an institute recognized by a third country
• proof of knowledge of one of the three official languages of Luxembourg (language certificate, proof of course attendance, proof that the subject was taken in the secondary school leaving examination, etc.).

Documents must be written in Luxembourgish, French, German, or English. If this is not the case, they must be translated into one of these languages by a translator certified in Luxembourg.

If the application is incomplete, the applicant will be notified by mail. They will then have three years to return the missing documents.

Please note: If you are not a citizen of a European Union country, you must have your documents (ID, diploma, transcripts, etc.)certified by an embassy, consulate, or local government office.

Recognition of educational equivalencies

Purpose of the application for recognition of educational qualifications

The application for recognition of educational qualifications is intended for individuals (pupils, students, or adults) who have not yet obtained the final diploma for their course of study and

• wish to enter the Luxembourg education system or
• resume a course of study or
• enroll in adult education.

Cost of recognition of equivalence of studies

In Luxembourg, there is a fee for applying for recognition of equivalence. A fee of €75 is payable.

Equivalency recognition for children at the Luxembourg primary education level (elementary school level) is free of charge.

How to pay the fee

The fee must be paid by bank transfer to the Administration of Registration, Domains and VAT. Proof of payment must be included with the application. Payment of the fee is mandatory for the application to be processed. However, this does not guarantee that equivalence will be granted.

If equivalence is refused, no refund is possible.

It is possible to obtain a duplicate certificate of equivalence. The interested party must then pay a fee of €10.

For more information, visit the relevant page on guichet.lu.

Steps for applying for recognition of educational qualifications

To apply for recognition of educational qualifications, applicants must submit a file containing the following documents:

• A copy of a valid identity document,
• A document stating the reason for the application,
• A CV detailing their educational background, as well as their place and date of birth,
• A copy of school reports for the last two years or, failing that, a certificate of attendance signed by the school principal,
• Any diplomas,
• Proof of payment of the fee.

Documents must be written in Luxembourgish, German, French, or English. If this is not possible, they must be translated into one of these languages by a translator certified in Luxembourg. In the latter case, the translator's signature must appear on all documents. Otherwise, proof of the translator's certification must be included with the application.

Please note! If you are not a citizen of a European Union country, you must have your documents (identity document, diploma, transcripts, etc.) certified by an embassy, consulate, or local authority.

The file must then be sent by post to the Diploma Recognition Service of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (MEN). A response will be sent to the applicant within approximately two to six weeks.

If the application is incomplete, the applicant will be notified by post. They will then have three years to complete it. After this period, the application will be canceled.

Recognition of diplomas for access to certain professions

Certain diplomas, certificates, and degrees obtained abroad may be recognized in the Grand Duchy. Their recognition allows access to certain professions (liberal, socio-educational, commercial, craft, etc.).

However, such recognition is not automatic. It is subject to a number of conditions.

Cost of recognition of diplomas or certificates

There is a fee for applying for recognition of equivalence. A fee of €75 is payable.

If compensatory measures are required, such as an adaptation course or an aptitude test, an additional fee of €300 is charged. A duplicate can also be obtained for €10.

If equivalence is refused, no refund is possible.

Please note! Payment of the fee is mandatory for the application to be processed. This does not mean that equivalence will be granted.

Proof of payment must be included with the application.

Getting your professional qualifications or level of education recognized

To have a diploma, professional qualifications, or level of education recognized as equivalent, the applicant must submit an application containing the following items:

• The duly completed application for recognition of equivalence,
• A copy of a valid identity document showing the place of birth,
• A CV in Europass format,
• Proof of payment of the fee.

Third-country nationals must also include a copy of their valid residence permit. For social and educational professions, proof of the last three years of training must be included.

Please note! All documents must be written in English, German, or French, or translated into one of these languages by a certified translator.

The file must then be sent to the Diploma Recognition Service.

Diploma Recognition Service
18-20, montée de la Pétrusse
L-2327 Luxembourg

If any documents are missing from the application, the applicant will be notified by mail. They will then have three years to submit the missing documents. After this period, the application for recognition will be canceled.

Validation of acquired experience (VAE) in Luxembourg

Validation of acquired experience (VAE) allows professional or extra-professional experience to be recognized by certifying it (under certain conditions).

This procedure is open to everyone, regardless of age, level of education, or professional situation.

At the end of this professional experience validation procedure, the applicant obtains a certification and a qualification recognized in Luxembourg. These will enable them to change jobs more easily and progress more quickly in their professional career.

If the person is looking for a job, they will be able to find work more easily.

This VAE process also allows them to earn credits and save time in vocational training or when deciding to undertake additional training such as a master's degree in management.

For more information on VAE, click here.