Recognition of diplomas

Newcomers who wish to start or continue their studies, work, or take up a certain type of profession in the Grand Duchy may, depending on their needs, ask for:

recognition of the level of study reached (without obtaining a final diploma),
recognition of the equivalence of a diploma (school-leaving type),
recognition of the level of study reached, the equivalence of a diploma, and the equivalence of vocational qualifications.

The Department for the recognition of diplomas at the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (MENJE) deals with the recognition of diplomas, certificates and qualifications obtained abroad in relation to diplomas, certificates and qualifications obtained in the Grand Duchy.

It has responsibility for the recognition of diplomas/certificates/school reports from secondary, general technical and vocational education. An attestation of the level of studies may be issued for an incomplete cycle of studies. The Department also deals with recognition for regulated professions, including those in the health sector (nursing assistant, nurse, specialist nurse, social worker, physiotherapist, etc.), the socio-educational sector (social education worker, carer), the craft sector, and commerce.

Recognition of the level of study reached (without obtaining a final diploma)

Diplomas, school-leaving certificates, and general, technical and vocational secondary school reports and certificates obtained abroad may, subject to certain conditions, be recognised as equivalent. A fee must be paid when applying for the recognition of equivalence.

Recognition of the level of study reached applies to:

children of compulsory school age who arrive in the Grand Duchy without having completed a full cycle of study for which a diploma is awarded in their country of origin and wishing to join the Grand Duchy's schooling system;
children and adults who arrive in the Grand Duchy without having completed a full cycle of study for which a diploma is awarded in their country of origin and wishing to resume or complete the cycle of studies;
adults wishing to know the level of their studies in the Grand Duchy who wish to work or complete their training and/or take up an apprenticeship for adults.

Children who wish to have recognition of the equivalence of their level of studies to that of fundamental school in the Grand Duchy (cycles 1 to 4) are not required to pay the usual fee.

Recognition of the equivalence of a diploma
(secondary school-leaving type)

General, technical and vocational certificates/diplomas obtained abroad may, subject to certain conditions, be recognised as equivalent .

A fee must be paid when applying for the recognition of equivalence; the amount of the fee depends on the country where the certificate/diploma was obtained.

So-called academic recognition of a diploma applies to:

holders of a baccalaureate-type secondary school-leaving certificate who wish to undertake higher or university studies in the Grand Duchy;
holders of a baccalaureate-type secondary school-leaving certificate who wish to enter the labour market;
holders of other diplomas in general, technical or vocational secondary education.
Holders of a higher education diploma wishing to apply for certification of their diploma must also send in a copy of their secondary school-leaving certificate. If this certificate has been obtained abroad, they must first apply for recognition of the equivalence of that certificate to the certificate awarded on completing secondary education in the Grand Duchy.

Recognition of the level of study reached, the equivalence of a diploma, and the equivalence of vocational qualifications

This involves the recognition of vocational qualifications, covered by the provisions of Directive 2013/55/UE modifying the Directive 2005/36/EC transposed into national law in the Law of 28 October 2016 regarding recognition of professional qualifications.

A fee must be paid when applying for the recognition of equivalence.

The following may apply for recognition of the level of study reached, the equivalence of a diploma, and the equivalence of vocational qualifications:

holders of vocational qualifications in the health sector (nursing assistant, etc.);
holders of vocational qualifications in the socio-educational sector (social education worker, carer, etc.);
holders of vocational qualifications in the craft sector (CATP/DAP, master craftsmanship);
holders of vocational qualifications in the commerce and industry sector (CATP/DAP).

How to apply for recognition of equivalence

All applications for recognition of diplomas/certificates/school reports must be sent by post to the MENJE's Department for recognition of diplomas; recognition will only be granted on the basis of a complete application, comprising the following documents :

a written application indicating the reasons for applying, using the appropriate application form (see list of forms to download, depending on the type of application),
a copy of the diplomas/certificates or, if appropriate, a copy of school reports for the last two years at school, certified as true copies of the originals by a duly authorised authority (attestation of attendance signed by the head teacher of the school, a municipal authority, an embassy or consulate, etc.) if:
- they have been issued by a body other than a State, regional or local administrative authority of a member State of the European Union,
- they have been issued by an authority or person outside the European Union,

a copy of a valid ID document (identity card, passport or resident's permit),
a CV (Curriculum Vitae) indicating inter alia the person's academic career as well as date and place of birth,
for social education workers, a recent police record certificate (less than two months old) and supporting documents covering the last three years with regard to training. For people living in the Grand Duchy, the special "protection of minors" document must be sent to the MENJE. People living in Belgium will be required to provide form 2 of their Belgian police record.
proof of payment of the fee provided for in the Law of 19 December 2014 on implementation of the package for the future (paquet d'avenir).

The documents listed above must be in one of the three official languages of the Grand Duchy (French, Luxembourgish, German) or in English, or translated into one of these languages by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté) in the Grand Duchy (consult the list of sworn translators, available to download or on request from the Supreme Court of Justice – tel. +352 47 59 81 1).

The translator's seal must be affixed partly to the translation and partly to the document submitted for translation. All the documents must be signed by the translator. If there is no seal, a document proving that the translator is sworn must be sent in with the application (e.g. a copy of the certificate of the translator's inclusion on the list of experts, translators and interpreters). Applicants may be required to provide additional information as necessary.