Recognition of degrees in Luxembourg: equivalence, procedures, and accreditation of prior learning

Are you interested in working, studying, returning to school, or practicing a regulated profession in Luxembourg? If you earned your degree abroad, official recognition may be required in some cases.

For expatriates, newcomers, students, cross-border workers, or those changing careers, the recognition of degrees in Luxembourg is an important step to plan for. It may be required to continue your studies, gain access to certain professions, demonstrate a level of qualification, or highlight your professional background in a job application.

This page helps you understand when to have a degree recognized in Luxembourg, what steps to take, what documents to prepare, how much the process costs, and how the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can also enhance your professional profile.

Table of Contents

• Do you need to have your degree recognized in Luxembourg?
• Degree Recognition: Depending on Your Situation
• Recognition of high school diplomas
• Recognition of higher education degrees
• Recognition for Regulated Professions
• Recognition for medical or paramedical professions
• Documents to Prepare
• Costs, processing times, and submission of the application
• Translation of documents
• Including a Foreign Degree on Your Resume
• Recognition of prior learning
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Key Points for Expatriates
• FAQ: Recognition of Degrees in Luxembourg

Do I need to have my degree recognized in Luxembourg?

Recognition of a foreign degree is not automatic in Luxembourg. Nor is it mandatory in all situations. It all depends on your plans: working, continuing your studies, resuming training, practicing a regulated profession, or officially demonstrating your educational level.

In the private sector, an employer may sometimes directly evaluate your degree, experience, and skills. However, for certain professions or administrative procedures, official recognition may be required.

Situation	Is Recognition Required?	Why?
Position in the unregulated private sector	Not always	The employer can often assess your background directly.
Healthcare profession	Often yes	Some professions are regulated and require a license or certification.
Teaching, education, social work	Often yes	The level of education and qualifications must sometimes be officially recognized.
Civil service	Depending on the position	Eligibility requirements may include a recognized level of education and language proficiency requirements.
Further education	Often yes	The institution or government agency may require an equivalency assessment.
Resuming adult education	Depending on the target level	Level recognition may be helpful for enrolling in a program.
Proof of a minimum qualified wage	Depending on the case	A recognized qualification or sufficient experience may be required.

Looking for a job? Check out our guide to finding work in Luxembourg and our page on the Luxembourg job market.

Recognition of degrees: depending on your situation

The process varies depending on the degree, country of origin, level of education, and purpose of the application. Before preparing your application, first determine which procedure applies to you.

Your Purpose	Possible steps	Things to Check
To have a high school diploma, a “maturité,” or a secondary school graduation certificate recognized	Application for Equivalency Recognition	Country of origin, length of schooling, eligibility for higher education.
Having a foreign higher education degree recognized	Registration in the Register of Academic Credentials	Level of the degree, official documents, translation if necessary.
Enrolling in a program or resuming studies	Recognition of academic level	Level already attained, transcripts, academic history.
Practicing a Regulated Profession	Professional recognition or specific equivalency	Requirements for entering the profession, including any necessary authorization.
Recognizing experience without a corresponding degree	Recognition of Prior Learning	Professional, non-professional, or volunteer experience related to the targeted certification.

Recognition of high school diplomas

Equivalency recognition may apply to a foreign high school diploma, such as a baccalaureate, a maturité, or a diploma granting access to higher education in the country of origin.

This recognition may be useful for pursuing further studies, gaining admission to certain training programs, or officially verifying one’s educational level in Luxembourg.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

The International Baccalaureate Diploma may be recognized as equivalent to the Luxembourg secondary school diploma. To qualify, it must meet the criteria defined by the International Baccalaureate Organization, particularly regarding exams, languages studied, and duration of schooling.

Diploma from a country that is a signatory to the Paris, Lisbon, or other recognized conventions

Certificates and diplomas from countries that have signed conventions regarding the recognition of diplomas may be reviewed in Luxembourg as part of an equivalency application.

In general, the diploma must, in particular:

• certify the completion of a full course of study;
• grant access to higher education in the country of origin;
• be accompanied by the required supporting documents;
• be presented in an accepted language or accompanied by a certified translation.

Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The fact that a country is a signatory to a convention does not automatically guarantee recognition of the degree.

Degree from a non-signatory country

Degrees from non-signatory countries may also be submitted for consideration. However, the review criteria may be stricter and require additional documentation. The Degree Recognition Office is responsible for reviewing the application and determining whether equivalence is granted.

Learn more about the recognition of diplomas on Guichet.lu.

Recognition of Higher Education Degrees

If you hold a higher education degree obtained abroad, you can apply for academic recognition by registering in the Register of Educational Qualifications, Higher Education Section.

This process allows you to have the academic level of your degree recognized. It can be useful for enhancing your professional profile, completing certain administrative procedures, or better presenting your qualifications in Luxembourg.

According to Guichet.lu, the application for academic recognition of a foreign higher education degree costs €75 per degree.

More information on registration in the register of educational qualifications is available on Guichet.lu.

Recognition for Access to Certain Professions

Certain professions are regulated in Luxembourg. In these cases, simply having a degree is not always sufficient: it may be necessary to have your qualification recognized or to obtain specific authorization before practicing.

The professions concerned may include, in particular:

• health care;
• education;
• the social and educational sector;
• certain independent professions;
• certain commercial activities;
• certain craft-related activities.

Before applying for a job or accepting an offer, check whether your profession is regulated and whether official recognition is required.

To better understand market expectations, visit our page on sectors hiring and salaries in Luxembourg.

Practicing a medical or paramedical profession in Luxembourg

Luxembourg offers many opportunities for healthcare professionals. However, the practice of medical, paramedical, or healthcare professions is strictly regulated. Certain professions are considered regulated and require a license to practice before you can work in Luxembourg.

This authorization is issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Security. For degrees obtained abroad, professional recognition of the degree may be required before applying for authorization to practice.

Which healthcare professions are affected?

The medical and paramedical professions covered may include, among others:

• general practitioners;
• specialists;
• dentists;
• pharmacists;
• midwives;
• nurses;
• physical therapists;
• osteopaths;
• psychotherapists;
• speech-language pathologists;
• other regulated health professions.

Recognition of the degree and authorization to practice

Before being able to practice, professionals must verify whether their degree is recognized in Luxembourg. If the degree was obtained in another country, it may be necessary to submit an application for recognition of professional qualifications to the Ministry of Research and Higher Education.

Once recognition has been granted, the professional may apply for authorization to practice from the Ministry of Health and Social Security. This authorization is required to legally practice a regulated health profession in Luxembourg.

Requirements

Depending on the profession in question, the Luxembourg authorities may require, among other things:

• a copy of the diploma or degree;
• professional recognition of the diploma, if it was obtained abroad;
• a license to practice;
• proof of good character or a criminal record extract;
• a medical certificate attesting to physical and mental fitness to practice;
• proof of the necessary language proficiency;
• a valid residence permit for non-European nationals.

Language Skills

Healthcare professionals must be able to communicate effectively with patients and Luxembourg authorities. A good knowledge of French, German, or Luxembourgish may be required depending on the profession, the location of practice, and the documents to be provided.

Documents written in a language other than French, German, or Luxembourgish may need to be accompanied by a certified translation.

Special Cases for Certain Professions

Physical therapists

To practice as a physical therapist in Luxembourg, a professional must hold the required degree, have their qualifications recognized if necessary, and then apply to the Ministry of Health and Social Security for a license to practice.

Osteopaths

The practice of osteopathy is regulated in Luxembourg. Practitioners must meet the training, qualification, and licensing requirements set forth by Luxembourg regulations.

Psychotherapists

The profession of psychotherapist is regulated in Luxembourg. Practicing as a psychotherapist requires meeting specific qualification requirements and obtaining a license to practice. Candidates must verify the requirements applicable to their training and professional background.

Where can I find more information?

Before taking any steps, it is recommended that you consult the official information available on Guichet.lu, the Ministry of Health and Social Security, and the Ministry of Research and Higher Education.

Candidates seeking to practice a healthcare profession should plan ahead for the time required to have their degree recognized, have documents translated, obtain a license to practice, and, if applicable, secure a residence permit.

Documents to Prepare for a Recognition Application

The required documents may vary depending on the procedure, the degree, and the country of origin. It is therefore important to verify the exact requirements before submitting your application.

Documents Generally Required

• a copy of a valid ID;
• reason for the application;
• Resume detailing your high school or college education;
• place and date of birth;
• report cards from the last years of study or proof of enrollment;
• copy of the relevant diploma or certificate;
• proof of payment of the fee;
• certified translation if the documents are not in an accepted language.

Possible Additional Documents

• certificate of residence;
• proof of admission to higher education in the country of origin;
• certificate of duration of studies;
• proof of proficiency in an official language of Luxembourg;
• description of the program of study;
• certificate of professional experience in certain cases.

Document	Why it is required	Tip
Identification	To verify the applicant’s identity.	Provide a legible and valid copy.
Diploma	Review the degree awarded.	Attach the official diploma, not just an informal certificate.
Report cards or transcripts	Understand the academic history and the level achieved.	Include the last two years if requested.
Resume	Outline your academic and professional background.	Submit a clear and coherent resume.
Translation	Ensure the documents are understandable to the authorities.	Use a certified translator if necessary.

Costs, deadlines, and submission of the application

Costs depend on the type of application and the diploma in question. For high school diplomas, Guichet.lu lists a fee of €75 or €125 depending on the type of diploma, with a duplicate costing €10.

To register a foreign higher education degree in the register of educational qualifications, the fee is 75 € per degree.

Procedure	Estimated cost	Estimated processing time
Recognition of a high school diploma	€75 or €125, depending on the diploma	Typically 2 to 6 weeks for a complete application; maximum 3 months
Duplicate	€10	Depending on administrative processing
Academic recognition of a higher-level degree	75 € per degree	Depending on the application and procedure
Possible supplementary exam or adaptation course	Possible additional fee depending on the procedure	Varies depending on the situation

Payment of the fee does not guarantee that the application will be accepted. If the application is incomplete, the processing time may be suspended until the missing documents are received.

The application must be submitted in accordance with the procedures specified by the relevant agency. Always check the latest instructions on Guichet.lu before submitting your application.

Translation of documents

Documents must be written in Luxembourgish, French, German, or English. If your documents are in another language, a certified translation may be required.

This step is important. An incorrect or incomplete translation may delay the processing of your application.

You can use a certified translator for your administrative procedures in Luxembourg.

How do you list a foreign degree on a Luxembourg resume?

When looking for a job, it’s not always necessary to wait for official recognition of your degree before applying. However, it’s important to present your educational background in a way that’s understandable to a Luxembourg recruiter.

On your resume, list your foreign degree by including:

• the exact name of the degree;
• the institution;
• the country where it was earned;
• the year it was awarded;
• the approximate level, if it helps with understanding;
• any recognition or equivalency obtained, if applicable;
• any relevant additional certifications.

If recognition is pending, you can simply indicate: “recognition pending” or “equivalency requested from the Luxembourg authorities.”

If your international background requires further explanation, the cover letter is often the best place to discuss the recognition of your degrees or your career plans

Once your degrees have been recognized or correctly listed on your resume, be prepared to explain their equivalence and value during the job interview.

Also, be sure to highlight your

degrees and equivalencies clearly on your LinkedIn profile.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Validation of Prior Learning (VPL) allows you to have your skills and knowledge acquired through professional, extracurricular, or volunteer experience recognized. It can enable you to obtain all or part of a recognized certificate, degree, or diploma.

VAE may be particularly beneficial for people who:

• have substantial experience but lack the corresponding degree;
• wish to advance their careers;
• want to resume their education;
• are changing careers;
• have acquired skills in several countries;
• wish to highlight their volunteer or community service experience.

VAE can facilitate access to employment, a promotion, training, or a new career path. It can also shorten the duration of a vocational training program or a master’s degree in management.

The Ministry of National Education specifies that, under certain conditions, VAE allows professional or non-professional experience to be taken into account toward obtaining full or partial certification.

Learn more about VAE.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Planning Your Career Path in Luxembourg

Having a degree recognized is one possible step in a broader plan: job search, training, career change, or moving to Luxembourg.

To move forward effectively, see also:

• Working in Luxembourg: A Complete Guide
• Job Search in Luxembourg
• Resumes in Luxembourg: Tips, Templates, and Mistakes to Avoid
• The Job Market in Luxembourg
• Sectors Hiring and Salaries
• Salaries in Luxembourg
• Language Learning
• Continuing Professional Development

FAQ: Recognition of Degrees in Luxembourg

Having a degree recognized can be an important step toward working, studying, or advancing your career in Luxembourg. Plan ahead, prepare a complete application, and always verify whether your profession requires official recognition before committing to a position.