We advise you on every aspect of having your foreign Medicine degree officially recognized in Spain, managing your case before the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities from start to finish.
Estimated processing time
Countries with bilateral agreements
Stages in the process
What is it?
Recognition (homologación) of a foreign university degree allows it to be officially acknowledged in Spain, granting it the same legal effects as a degree issued by a Spanish university. In the medical field, this procedure is essential in order to practice the profession within Spanish territory.
The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities is the competent authority for resolving recognition cases throughout Spain.
A recognized degree carries the same legal effects as a Medicine degree issued by a Spanish university.
Essential before registering with a professional medical association and practicing medicine in Spain.
Who is it for?
Professionals who have completed their medical training at a foreign university and wish to join the Spanish healthcare system, whether through clinical practice or by preparing for the MIR exam.
Professionals with proven clinical experience in their home country who are looking to relocate their career to Spain, using their track record as part of the application.
What does it allow?
Bilateral agreements: Spain holds agreements that may speed up the process with Argentina, Chile, Colombia, France, Italy and China, in addition to agreements with Latin American universities — none of which exempts the applicant from requesting recognition of the medical degree.
Documentation
An indicative list of the core file. We confirm and tailor it with you before starting the process.
1 – Copy of the identity document proving the applicant’s identity and nationality.
2 – University degree, study plan and official academic transcript, legalized through diplomatic channels or the Hague Apostille, showing the length of the study plan, the subjects passed and the number of hours or ECTS credits for each.
3 – If more than 15% of the total credits were recognized from another institution, a certificate from that institution regarding those credits.
4 – Proven professional experience. If the degree is more than 6 years old, at least 3 years of experience or continuing education within the last 5 years must be demonstrated.
5 – Training in other official university studies, other than the degree being recognized, when it academically complements the applicant’s background.
* All documentation must be legalized and, where applicable, translated by a sworn translator. We confirm the exact list applicable to your case before starting the process.
Step-by-step procedure
PHASE 1 — APPLICATION PREPARATION
Review of your case based on the country where your degree was awarded and the applicable requirements, with guidance on the necessary documentation.
We collect the application documents, arrange legalisation and apostilles, and coordinate any required sworn translations.
Preparation and submission of the complete application to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, together with payment of the administrative fee.
PHASE 2 — APPLICATION DECISION
Ongoing monitoring of the application throughout the review process, responding to any requests for additional documentation within the required deadlines.
Issuance of the certificate confirming the official equivalence of your degree, enabling you to begin the steps required to register with the medical association and practise medicine.
9–18 months from submission
PHASE 1 — APPLICATION PREPARATION
Review of your case based on the country where your degree was awarded and the applicable requirements, with guidance on the necessary documentation.
We collect the application documents, arrange legalisation and apostilles, and coordinate any required sworn translations.
Preparation and submission of the complete application to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, together with payment of the administrative fee.
PHASE 2 — APPLICATION DECISION
Ongoing monitoring of the application throughout the review process, responding to any requests for additional documentation within the required deadlines.
Issuance of the certificate confirming the official equivalence of your degree, enabling you to begin the steps required to register with the medical association and practise medicine.
9–18 months from submission
Why Seegman
Recognition of a medical degree is rarely an isolated procedure: it often intersects with decisions on residency, taxation and professional registration. We coordinate all of it from one place.
We determine the documents required based on the country where the degree was issued and any bilateral agreements applicable to your case.
We support you from gathering the documentation through to the Ministry’s resolution, with no handoffs between firms or agents.
We coordinate the recognition process with other aspects of your move to Spain — residency, taxation and professional registration — whenever necessary.
Degree recognition is one of several mobility solutions we handle. Here are some of the most commonly requested.
Frequently asked questions
No. A foreign Medicine degree does not authorize you to practice the profession within Spanish territory without having completed the recognition procedure before the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
No. Bilateral agreements with countries such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, France, Italy and China may speed up the process, but they do not exempt applicants from requesting recognition of the medical degree.
You will need to demonstrate work experience or continuing education as a doctor of at least 3 years within the last 5, in addition to the standard academic documentation.
Between 9 and 18 months, depending on the Ministry’s workload and the complexity of the specific case.
You will be able to freely practice medicine in Spain, see patients, access the national healthcare system, sit the MIR exam and register with the Official College of Physicians.
Tell us about your situation and we’ll let you know, with no obligation, whether recognition is the right path for you and how we can support you through the whole process.
This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute individualized legal advice. Requirements, documentation and fees may vary depending on the specific case and are subject to regulatory changes.
