Certification of diplomas, validation of acquired experience

Luxembourg diploma certification

Would you like to study at university or work in certain professions in Luxembourg? To do so, you may need to provide proof of certain certificates, diplomas, degrees or school reports. These may be recognized as equivalent by the Luxembourg government. 

Whatever your level of study and qualifications abroad, find out here what you need to do to have your qualifications recognized in Luxembourg.

Diploma recognition in Luxembourg

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

Conditions for diploma recognition

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

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBO)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma is considered equivalent to the Luxembourg high school diploma.

To be recognized in Luxembourg, the criteria set by the International Baccalaureate Organization must be met. These criteria include examination papers, languages studied and length of schooling.

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

Certificates and diplomas from countries that have signed a Council of Europe convention - Paris or Lisbon - can be recognized in Luxembourg.

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

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

This is particularly true of the following diplomas:

The baccalaureate

The baccalauréat is a diploma awarded after passing the examination marking the end of secondary education. It gives access to higher education.

Maturity

In some countries, such as Albania, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary and Italy, the maturité is a certificate awarded on completion of secondary school.

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

Which countries are signatories to the Paris and Lisbon Conventions?

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

Diploma from a country that is not a signatory to the Paris or Lisbon Conventions

Diplomas from a country that is not a signatory to the Paris or Lisbon Conventions must meet a number of conditions before they can be recognized in Luxembourg.

Certification must meet the requirements for countries that are signatories to one or other of the above-mentioned agreements, as well as other criteria as appropriate.

Only the Ministry of Education's Diploma Recognition Service can decide whether or not to recognize the diploma concerned.

Cost of diploma recognition in Luxembourg

A fee of 75 euros is payable to apply for recognition of a diploma. A compensatory fee of 300 euros is also payable if an adaptation course or additional aptitude test is required.

How do I pay the diploma recognition fee?

The fee must be paid in advance to the Administration de l'Enregistrement, des Domaines et de la TVA. Proof of payment must be sent at the same time as the request for equivalence, so that the file can be processed.

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

Proof of payment must be attached to the file.

It is possible to obtain a duplicate certificate of equivalence. A fee of 10 euros is payable.

To find out more, visit the page on diploma recognition on guichet.lu.

Diploma recognition procedures

As with the conditions for recognition, the steps to be taken depend on the type of diploma.

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

To apply for diploma recognition, the applicant must submit a file. This must include the following documents:

  • A copy of a valid identity document,
  • A written document stating the reason for the request,
  • A CV detailing your educational background, as well as your place and date of birth,
  • A copy of report cards for the last two years or, failing that, a certificate of attendance signed by the school principal,
  • Diplomas, if any,
  • Proof of tax payment.

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

Documents must be in Luxembourgish, French, German or English. Otherwise, they must be translated into one of these languages by a sworn translator in Luxembourg. In the latter case, the translator's signature must be affixed to all documents. Otherwise, proof of the translator's swearing-in must be attached to the file.

The application must then be sent by post to the Service de la reconnaissance des diplômes of the Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de l'Enfance et de la Jeunesse (MEN). The applicant will receive a reply within approximately two to six weeks.

Diploma from a non-signatory country

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

  • A copy of a valid identity document,
  • A written document stating the reason for the request,
  • A CV detailing your educational background, as well as your place and date of birth,
  • A copy of report cards for the last two years or, failing that, a certificate of attendance signed by the school principal,
  • Diplomas, if any,
  • A certificate of residence attesting to accommodation in a European Union country,
  • Proof of tax payment.

The file must also contain, as appropriate :

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

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

If the file is not complete, the applicant is informed by letter. They 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, report cards, etc.) certified by an embassy, consulate or local authority.

Recognition of equivalent levels of study

Purpose of the request for equivalence of levels of study

The application for recognition of a level of education is aimed at people (pupils, students or adults) who who have not yet obtained the final diploma of their training and

  • wishing to enter the Luxembourg education system or
  • resume a course of study or
  • adult education.

Cost of recognition of equivalence of studies

In Luxembourg, there is a fee to apply for recognition of equivalence. A fee of 75 euros must be paid.

Recognition of equivalence for children in Luxembourg's basic education system (elementary school level) is free of charge.

How do I pay the tax?

The fee is payable by bank transfer to the Administration de l'Enregistrement, des Domaines et de la TVA. Proof of payment must be attached to the file. Payment of the fee is compulsory in order for the file to be processed. However, this does not mean that recognition of equivalence has been granted.

If equivalence is refused, no refund is possible.

It is possible to obtain a duplicate certificate of equivalence. A fee of 10 euros is payable.

To find out more, visit the relevant page on guichet.lu.

Procedures for requesting equivalence of levels of study

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

  • A copy of a valid identity document,
  • A written document stating the reason for the request,
  • A CV detailing your educational background, as well as your place and date of birth,
  • A copy of report cards for the last two years or, failing that, a certificate of attendance signed by the school principal,
  • Diplomas, if any,
  • Proof of tax payment.

Documents must be drawn up in Luxembourgish, German, French or English. Otherwise, they must be translated into one of these languages by a sworn translator in Luxembourg. In the latter case, the translator's signature must be affixed to all documents. Otherwise, proof of the translator's swearing-in must be attached to the file.

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

The application must then be sent by post to the Diploma Recognition Department of the French Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (MEN). The applicant will receive a reply within approximately two to six weeks.

If the file is incomplete, the applicant is informed by post. They then have three years to complete it. After this period, the application is cancelled.

Recognition of diplomas for access to certain professions

Certain patents, certificates and diplomas 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 patent or certificate recognition

There is a fee for applying for recognition of equivalence. A fee of 75 euros must be paid.

A supplement of 300 euros is charged for any compensatory measures required, such as an adaptation course or aptitude test. A duplicate can also be obtained for 10 euros.

If equivalence is refused, no refund is possible.

Please pay attention! Payment of the fee is compulsory in order to process your application. However, this does not mean that recognition of equivalence has been granted.

Proof of payment must be attached to the file.

Recognition of professional qualifications or level of education

To apply for recognition of a diploma, professional qualification or equivalent level of study, the applicant must compile a file containing the following information:

  • Completed application for recognition of equivalence,
  • A copy of a valid identity document showing place of birth,
  • A Europass-format CV,
  • Proof of tax payment.

Third-country nationals must also enclose a copy of their valid residence permit. For socio-educational professions, proof of the last three years of training must be enclosed.

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

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

Service de la reconnaissance des diplômes
18-20, montée de la Pétrusse
L-2327 Luxembourg

If a document is missing from the file, the applicant is informed by letter. They then have three years in which to submit the missing information. Once this period has elapsed, the application for recognition is cancelled.

Validation of acquired experience (VAE) in Luxembourg

Validation of acquired experience (VAE) enables you to enhance your professional or extra-professional experience by certifying it (under certain conditions).

This procedure concerns everyone, whatever their age, level of education or professional situation.

At the end of this professional experience validation procedure, the applicant obtains a certification and qualification recognized in Luxembourg. This will make it easier for them to change jobs and progress more rapidly in their professional careers.

If the person is looking for a job, it will be easier to find one.

This VAE approach also enables you to gain credits and time in a professional training program, or to decide to undertake further training such as a master's degree in management.

For more information on VAE, click here.

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