Recognition of foreign school and higher education diplomas

Primary and secondary studies

Diplomas, certificates, school reports and other qualifications obtained abroad at primary and secondary schools (general or vocational) can be recognised as equivalent qualifications in some conditions.

For this level of study, there are three possible options:

1. Applying for recognition of the level of primary and secondary education without achieving a final diploma

This applies to children subject to compulsory education who wish to join the Luxembourg schooling system and for adults wishing to return to a course of study in Luxembourg.

Further details about the procedure are available at guichet.lu.

2. Applying for recognition of a baccalaureate/Matura or other secondary education diploma

The conditions for the recognition of equivalence vary depending on the country that issued the diploma and whether it is a signatory to the Paris or Lisbon Conventions on the mutual recognition of diplomas or a third country that has not signed these conventions. The International Baccalaureate has specific conditions related to the criteria set by the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

Further details about the procedure are available at guichet.lu.

3. Applying for recognition of the level of studies, the equivalence of diplomas and the equivalence of professional qualifications

This applies to some commercial and liberal professions, crafts and trades, and health and socio-educational professions, which may require a licence to practise.

The conditions for the recognition of equivalence depend on the country that issued the qualification and whether or not it is an EU Member State.

Further details about the procedure are available at guichet.lu.

Higher education

Introductory note: some professions require a licence to practise even for those who received their qualifications in Luxembourg. Here we will only look at the procedures for diplomas awarded outside Luxembourg.

For this level of study, there are three possible options:

1. Academic recognition

This procedure confers the right to hold an academic title and indicates the corresponding level in the Luxembourg Qualifications Framework. It involves registering the qualification in the Register of formal higher education qualifications (registre des titres de formation, section de l'enseignement supérieur). Academic recognition does not include recognition of the content of studies and therefore does not confer the right to exercise a regulated profession.

The conditions required for academic recognition depend on the country where the diploma was awarded: Belgium and the Netherlands (Benelux diplomas are automatically recognised) or a non-Benelux country (holders must apply to register their qualification in the Register of formal higher education qualifications).

Details about the supporting documents to be included in applications and the fees required are available at guichet.lu.

2. Professional recognition

The sole aim of this procedure is to provide access to a regulated profession. It does not confer the right to use an academic title and does not indicate the corresponding level in the Luxembourg Qualifications Framework. Before applying for professional recognition it is often necessary to obtain a business permit (autorisation d'établissement) or a work permit (autorisation d'exercer une activité professionnelle).

The professions for which professional recognition is required can be found here:

• Liberal professions
• Legal professions
• Psychotherapist
• Health professions
• Medical professions

Details about the supporting documents to be included in applications and the fees required are available on the Ministry of Research and Higher Education.

3. Official recognition (homologation) of law degrees

Homologation is the official recognition of a foreign degree in law. This is still required for admission to the regulated profession of lawyer and for access to complementary courses in Luxembourg law (cours complémentaires en droit luxembourgeois– CCDL). The process only applies for this purpose.

Details about the supporting documents to be included in applications and the fees required can be found on the website of the Ministry of Research and Higher Education, which processes all applications.

Exception: holders of the right to practise the profession of lawyer in another European Union Member State are generally exempted from the homologation procedure and may apply directly to the Ministry of Justice for authorisation to practise as a lawyer in Luxembourg.

Accreditation of prior experiential learning

Accreditation of prior experiential learning (validation des acquis de l'expérience – VAE) is a process for the formal recognition of professional or personal skills for the purposes of obtaining a qualification. Qualifications obtained through accreditation of prior experiential learning are as valid as those obtained through initial education.

Accreditation of prior experiential learning can be requested for three levels of education:

1. Secondary education

Accreditation of prior experiential learning can offer access to certificates and diplomas for vocational training, general secondary education or the master craftsman's certificate. Details are available on guichet.lu and on the website of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth.

2. Higher education

In the field of higher education, the process for the accreditation of prior experiential learning is decentralised. Each institution sets its own administrative procedures for applicants.

In Luxembourg, accreditation of prior experiential learning may apply especially to:

• Bachelor and Master programmes awarded by the University of Luxembourg.
• Training programmes for an advanced technician's certificate (brevet de technicien supérieur – BTS) awarded by secondary schools in Luxembourg.

Details about conditions, deadlines, supporting documents and contact organisations are available at guichet.lu.

3. Continuous vocational training

Anyone interested in the accreditation of prior experiential learning for continuing education certificates obtained through evening classes should apply to the Luxembourg Lifelong Learning Center run by the Chamber of Employees.

Details about conditions, deadlines, fees and supporting documents can be found at guichet.lu.