Mutual recognition of qualifications

The European Commission can provide a list of EU directives on mutual recognition of qualifications. Those wishing to take up employment in Spain, and who are professionally qualified, should check that their qualifications are recognised by Spain under the relevant EU directive, otherwise there may be long delays in establishing recognition of qualifications.

Information about the homologation/ convalidation procedure in Spain for academic or professional awards and certification is available from:

Subdirección General de Títulos, Convalidaciones y Homologaciones
Paseo del Prado, 28
Madrid

Tel: 902 21 85 00

Responsibility for convalidation in Britain rests with the Department for Education and Skills. Information on this is available from http://www.naric.org.uk

Some qualifications will not be validated in Spain, especially those of self-employed crafts or trades such as construction workers, hairdressers, insurance agents and brokers. They can secure recognition of their qualifications as a substitute for the relevant Spanish qualification via a “Certificate of Experience”. This can be obtained via the DfES on application with proof of work experience (generally five or six years) in Britain. British nationals can obtain a certificate of experience application pack from:

Certificate of Experience Office
Department for Education and Skills
QfW2 / E3B
Moorfoot
Sheffield S1 4PQ
Tel: +44 (0) 114 259 4237