FMUP recognizes academic degrees and higher education diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions (HEIs). This process has been regulated since the 1st of January 2019, by Decree-Law No. 66/2018 .

Types of recognition

Check U.Porto information

All three types of recognition (automatic, level, and specific) have the same legal validity but don't all serve the same purposes.

If you want to obtain recognition of the degree/level of training you have (e.g., Bachelor's degree), you can choose automatic or level recognition.

If you also want to obtain recognition of the course/scientific area (e.g., Degree in Medicine), you should choose specific recognition. Only with this type of recognition can you practice your profession.

Automatic Recognition:

Applies to a foreign higher education degree or diploma whose level, objectives and nature are identical to the Portuguese degrees of Bachelor, Master and Doctor, or a professional higher technical diploma, which appears on the list of degrees and diplomas established by the National Commission for the Recognition of Foreign Degrees . Automatic recognition is requested by the holder of the Diploma by filling in the respective online form .

Level Recognition:

Applies, for comparability and on an individual basis, to a foreign higher education degree or diploma as having a level corresponding to a Portuguese higher education degree or diploma. Level recognition is requested from a public Higher Education Institution that awards the degree or diploma in the same area of knowledge.

At FMUP, there is recognition of the level of the academic degree or diploma of the Medicine course.

Specific Recognition:

Applies to a foreign higher education degree or diploma that is identical to a Portuguese higher education degree or diploma, through a case-by-case analysis of the level, duration and syllabus content, in a specific area of training, branch of knowledge or specialty. Specific recognition is requested from a public Higher Education Institution that awards the degree or diploma in the same area of knowledge.

At FMUP, there is specific degree recognition for the Medicine course.

To initiate the process

The process starts online

• You should start by filling in the application form from the General Directorate for Higher Education (DGES), which is only available online, with the utmost care and accuracy, as this information cannot be changed later.
• If you wish to convert your final classification to the Portuguese scale (applicable in automatic or level recognition), you must request a document from the HEI of origin stating the final classification awarded, the applicable scale and the minimum pass mark.
• You must attach a translation certified by a competent authority when the documents are written in a foreign language other than Spanish, French or English.
• All documents that are not presented in their original version (or are not available for public consultation/signature) must be authenticated by one of the competent authorities:
  • In the country where the document was issued: Hague Apostille or Portuguese Consulate;
  • In Portugal, through one of the following entities: CTT, notaries, lawyers, solicitors, Conservatories, Town Councils and Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
• All documents must be submitted in PDF format. Each document must correspond to a PDF file.

Afterwards, the Rectorate of the selected University/HEI must be contacted

• After submitting a request for level or specific recognition, and conversion or attribution of final classification, and in order to complete the instruction of the process, you should contact the U.Porto Academic Training and Organization , service, by email: reconhecimentos@reit.up.pt.
• The time frame for recognition requests will begin when payment is made, and will be suspended in the absence of documentation.
• The fees applicable to recognition requests should be consulted in the U.Porto Fees Table .
• The Rectory of U. Porto is responsible for checking that the documentation is in order, initiating the payment process, and redirecting the request of recognition to the faculty. From this moment on, the candidate deals with the recognition process directly with FMUP.
• It is a process without applications or registrations, although it follows the rhythm of the academic year: if the application is received by the faculty by September 1st, the candidate will take successive and eliminatory tests between January and July of the following calendar year:
  • Portuguese language test - for citizens not from CPLP countries;
  • Written exam in the first half of January;
  • Practical test - preferably between April and May;
  • Final written work (dissertation/monograph/curriculum report) to be handed in no later than 6 months after passing the practical test, and discussion of this work no later than 2 months after handing in the work.

Applicable legislation

• Decree-Law no. 66/2018 , of August 16 - approves the legal framework for the recognition of academic degrees and titles, issued by foreign higher education institutions.
• Administrative Rule no. 33/2019 , of 25 January - regulates the procedure inherent to the registration of academic degrees issued by foreign higher education institutions.
• Administrative Rule no. 43/2020 , of 14 February - amends Administrative Rule no. 33/2019, of 25 January.
• Generic Deliberation by the Committee for Recognition of Foreign Degrees - list of foreign degrees subject to registration.
• Ordinances related to the conversion of grades.
• GT.10.07.2022 - Clarification on the procedure to be adopted in light of the publication of the Table of Fees.

Contacts for scientific degree recognition

You can find more detailed information about the process of Recognition of Foreign Degrees and Diplomas in Portugal on the DGES website.

Contact the Academic Training and Organization department (FOA) at U. Porto to clarify any doubts you may still have.

FMUP's support service for this process is available through the email recgrau_mmed@med.up.pt.