Recognition of Degrees Between Brazil and Portugal

In Portugal, the recognition of foreign higher education degrees and diplomas is governed by Decree-Law 66/2018 of August 16, 2018, in force since January 1, 2019. The only amendment reflected in the consolidated version is that made by Decree-Law 86/2023 of October 10, 2023, which changed Arts. 5 and 14 and added Art. 21-A. The procedure is governed by Ministerial Order 33/2019 (Portaria) of January 25, 2019, amended and republished by Ministerial Order 43/2020.

Recognition gives the foreign degree all the rights of the corresponding Portuguese degree (Art. 3(f)). The law provides for three types of recognition (Art. 4):

Automatic recognition

It applies to the degrees listed in the resolutions of the committee for the recognition of foreign degrees and diplomas, which is chaired by the Director-General of Higher Education (Arts. 12 to 16). In the list of degrees published by the DGES, the Brazilian degrees included are master's and doctoral degrees from programs rated 5, 6 or 7 by CAPES. The Brazilian undergraduate degree (bacharelado or licenciatura) is not on that list.

Level recognition

It recognizes, by comparison and on a case-by-case basis, that the foreign degree is of a level corresponding to a Portuguese degree, without examining a specific field of study (Art. 3(h) and Arts. 17 to 19). Where the same institution has already decided on an identical degree, from the same institution of origin, with the same title and the same duration or credits, that earlier decision is binding and the application does not go before a panel (Art. 19).

Specific recognition

It examines the level, duration and content of the program in a given field of study, branch or specialty (Art. 3(i) and Art. 20). It may be made conditional on passing knowledge assessment tests (Art. 20(3)). The panel assigns a grade on the Portuguese scale (Art. 6(2)). This is the type of recognition that corresponds to the former “equivalences” (Art. 27).

• Each type of recognition may be requested only once for the same degree (Art. 4(4)).
• Those who do not qualify for automatic recognition may apply for level recognition, specific recognition or both (Art. 4(5) and (6)).
• Recognition does not authorize the use of the title of “licenciado,” “mestre” or “doutor” from a Portuguese institution (Art. 8(2)).

Competent authority

• Automatic recognition: it may be requested from any public higher education institution, at the applicant's choice, or from the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES) (Art. 15(1)).
• Level recognition: it is requested from a public higher education institution that awards the degree in that field (Art. 17(2)). The law does not assign this type of recognition to the DGES.
• Specific recognition: it is requested from a public higher education institution that awards the degree in that field, specialty or branch (Art. 20(2)).

All applications are submitted through the DGES single electronic form, where the applicant chooses the entity that will review the case. If a higher education institution is chosen, the application goes directly to that institution, which handles payment and questions. The law requires that everything can be done electronically or by mail, without having to travel (Art. 2 of Ministerial Order 33/2019).

Legal time limits for a decision

• Automatic: certificate within 30 days after a properly completed application (Art. 15(2)).
• Level: panel decision within 90 days (Art. 18(4)); where there is a precedent decision, within 30 days (Art. 19(6)).
• Specific: decision within 90 days (Art. 20(5)).
• Incomplete application: the applicant has up to 30 days to complete it (Arts. 15(3), 17(4) and 20(6)).

The time limit is suspended while the entity awaits information, confirmation of the authenticity of documents, translations or the results of assessment tests (Art. 7 of Ministerial Order 33/2019). Failure to pay the fee within the set time limit terminates the procedure (Art. 7(2)).

Documents

• In all applications: a copy of the diploma certified by the competent authorities, a document with a publicly verifiable registration number, or the original diploma (Art. 3(1) of the Ministerial Order). To obtain a grade on the Portuguese scale, also the document showing the final grade and the grading scale, with the minimum passing grade and the maximum grade (Art. 3(2)).
• For level recognition without a precedent and for specific recognition: an academic transcript showing the courses, syllabi, duration and final grade, as well as the dissertation (master's) or thesis (doctorate) in digital format (Art. 4 of the Ministerial Order).
• Digital documents are accepted if they are non-editable and bear the institution's qualified electronic signature (Art. 5(1)). The institution reviewing the application may require additional documentation and determine the type of certification.

The fee is set by each entity and may not exceed the cost of the service (Art. 11 of Decree-Law 66/2018). Check the amount with the DGES or the chosen institution before applying.

Recognition of the degree does not exempt the holder from meeting the other legal conditions for access to the profession (Art. 4(7) of Decree-Law 66/2018). In regulated professions, there are two separate stages: academic recognition, granted by the DGES or by a higher education institution, and registration with the professional association (ordem), which has its own rules.

• Ordem dos Médicos (Portuguese Medical Association): requires a certificate of equivalence or of specific recognition of the training. It also requires the medical communication test or a B2-level Portuguese language certificate, with an exemption for those who studied at an institution where teaching is delivered in Portuguese.
• Ordem dos Enfermeiros (Portuguese Nursing Association): for Brazilian or Portuguese citizens with training obtained in Brazil, it allows two routes. The first is recognition of the training qualification under the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Consultation, which serves only for professional practice and does not confer an academic degree. The second is specific recognition, requested beforehand from a Portuguese public higher education institution. The association states that training as a nursing technician or nursing assistant obtained in Brazil is not covered by the Treaty.
• Ordem dos Engenheiros (Portuguese Association of Engineers): admits holders of a foreign degree in Engineering that has been granted equivalence or recognized at the required level. Admission is assessed case by case, based on training and professional experience.
• Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (Portuguese Association of Psychologists): has its own information for students and professionals trained in Brazil. The requirements should be confirmed directly with the association before applying for recognition.

The 2000 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Consultation

The Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Consultation, signed in Porto Seguro on April 22, 2000 and in force since September 5, 2001, provides for the recognition of academic degrees with a minimum duration of three years. Such recognition may be refused only if there is a substantiated substantial difference, and the universities and higher education institutions are competent to grant it (Arts. 39 to 41). The Treaty also provides that nationals of one country may access a profession in the other under the same conditions required of its own nationals (Art. 46). In practice, the procedure in Portugal follows Decree-Law 66/2018 and the rules of each professional association.

Lawyers: the reciprocity arrangement between the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados) and the OAB has been terminated. The current registration rules are on the Practicing law in Portugal page.

For those moving with school-age children, the equivalence of studies completed in Brazil to Portuguese basic and secondary education follows Decree-Law 227/2005 of December 28, 2005, and the ministerial orders containing the equivalence tables. Brazil is included in Annex V to Ministerial Order 699/2006, which contains the comparative table between the two systems and the grade conversion.

Who grants it

• The schools: according to the Directorate-General for Education (DGE), public basic and secondary schools, and private and cooperative schools with pedagogical autonomy, grant equivalence in the cases covered by Ministerial Orders 224/2006 and 699/2006. This is the case for Brazil.
• The DGE: handles special cases, such as foreign schools in Portugal, international schools in third countries, IB and Cambridge certifications, applicants not resident in Portugal, and studies completed in mobility programs.

What to keep in mind

• Official documents proving the years successfully completed, with the final grades and the grading scale, including the minimum passing grade, legalized through consular channels or bearing the Hague Apostille.
• According to the DGE, the service is free of charge and the reference time frame is 30 days after all documents are received.
• While the process is under way, the student may be conditionally enrolled.
• The DGE states that equivalence is not granted on the basis of exams alone, such as ENEM or ENCCEJA.

The family's immigration status is dealt with separately. See the page on the residence permit.

Since January 2, 2025, the matter has been governed by CNE/CES Resolution 2 of December 19, 2024, which revoked CNE/CES Resolution 1/2022 (Art. 35). MEC Ministerial Order 1,151/2023 (Portaria), which regulates the revalidation of undergraduate degrees and the Carolina Bori Platform, is still cited by the MEC in September 2026 as part of the regulatory framework.

Who revalidates and how

• Only Brazilian public universities that offer an accredited program at the same level and in the same or an equivalent field may revalidate undergraduate degrees (Resolution 2/2024, Art. 2). For this purpose, the Federal Institutes are treated as federal universities (Art. 32).
• The application is made on the Carolina Bori Platform, where the applicant chooses the program and the institution. Applications exceeding the capacity reported by the university are placed on a waiting list, and during that period the time limits do not run (Ministerial Order 1,151/2023, Art. 7).
• The fee is set by each university and shown on the platform (Ministerial Order, Arts. 4 and 15).
• Applying for revalidation of the same degree at more than one university at the same time is prohibited (Resolution, Art. 26, § 7).

Documents and assessment

• A copy of the diploma registered by the foreign institution, the academic transcript and the program's pedagogical plan or curriculum, with course descriptions (Resolution, Art. 4).
• The university may administer tests or examinations and, if the applicant meets the conditions only in part, require supplementary studies of up to 20% of the course load of the Brazilian program (Art. 5).
• If the documentation is incomplete, the applicant has 60 days to complete it, with the possibility of suspension for up to 90 days (Ministerial Order, Art. 17).

Time limits and simplified procedure

• The process must be completed within 180 days from filing, with a justified extension of up to 90 days (Resolution, Art. 26, §§ 4 and 5).
• The simplified procedure is limited to verification of documents and must be completed within 90 days. It applies to those who received a scholarship from a Brazilian government agency for the program and to programs listed in bilateral or multilateral agreements in force in Brazil that provide for prior evaluation, such as those accredited under Arcu-Sul. It does not apply to Medicine (Resolution, Art. 9).
• A Medicine degree requires passing the Revalida exam, administered by Inep (Arts. 11 to 17).

Foreign master's and doctoral degrees are recognized, not revalidated. Recognition may be granted by public or private universities that have stricto sensu graduate programs evaluated, recognized and authorized within the National Graduate System, in the same field of knowledge and at an equivalent or higher level (CNE/CES Resolution 2/2024, Art. 19).

What the university examines

• The regular standing of the institution and the program, the merit of the academic performance, the organization of the program and, where applicable, the institution's research performance (Art. 20).
• Documents: registered diploma, thesis or dissertation with the defense minutes and the composition of the examining committee, academic transcript, description of research activities, external evaluations of the program, if any, and proof of the period spent abroad (Art. 20, § 4).
• Translation may be required only when the university deems it necessary. The text of the Resolution waives it for English, French and Spanish (Art. 20, §§ 7 and 8).
• The recognized diploma receives an annotation (apostilamento) as equivalent to a master's or doctoral degree, with the original title preserved (Art. 20, §§ 10 and 11).

Simplified procedure

The university may adopt a simplified procedure, limited to verification of documents and completed within 90 days, for those who received a study or research grant from a Brazilian government agency (Art. 22). Programs listed in bilateral or multilateral agreements with prior evaluation in force for Brazil also follow the simplified procedure (Art. 23). In all other cases, the general time limit of 180 days applies, extendable by up to 90 days (Art. 26).

To identify eligible universities, the applicant may consult the CAPES National Graduate System (SNPG) (Art. 30) and the Carolina Bori Platform. Before filing the application, the applicant must attach the platform search on any earlier application with the same content at another university (Art. 26, § 8).

In Portugal

The refusal of automatic recognition and the decisions of the level and specific recognition panels may be challenged under the Code of Administrative Procedure (Código do Procedimento Administrativo) (Arts. 16(2) and 22(4) of Decree-Law 66/2018). Unless the law sets a different time limit:

• Complaint (reclamação) to the author of the decision: 15 days (Art. 191(3) of the CPA).
• Hierarchical appeal: 30 days, if it is mandatory. If it is optional, it may be filed within the time limit for a judicial challenge (Art. 193(2)).
• Action in the administrative courts against a voidable act or to compel the performance of the required act: as a rule, three months (Arts. 58(1)(b) and 69(2) of the CPTA). An optional administrative challenge suspends that time limit (Art. 190(3) of the CPA).

Decisions taken in breach of Decree-Law 66/2018 are null and void (Art. 24). Those whose level recognition is refused may still apply for specific recognition of the same degree (Art. 19(4)).

In Brazil

• Once the university's internal appeals are exhausted, the applicant may file a new application at another university. After two refusals, an appeal lies to the Higher Education Chamber of the CNE, solely on grounds of an error of fact or of law (CNE/CES Resolution 2/2024, Art. 27).
• At federal universities, absent a specific rule, the administrative appeal must be filed within 10 days from notice of the decision (Art. 59 of Law 9,784/1999). Each university publishes its own internal rules (Resolution, Art. 26).

D3 visas, EU Blue Card and studies

• For the D3 visa for highly qualified employed activity, Law 23/2007, the Foreigners Act (Lei de Estrangeiros), requires, for a regulated profession, high professional qualifications proven under the law on the recognition of professional qualifications. For a non-regulated profession, it requires high professional qualifications suited to the activity under the contract (Art. 61-A(1)).
• The law defines “high professional qualifications” as those evidenced by a higher education degree or by at least five years of professional experience at a comparable level (Art. 3(t)).
• For the EU Blue Card, a regulated profession requires proof of professional certification, where applicable (Art. 121-B(1)(e)). Where there is doubt about the classification, the ministries responsible for employment and for education and science issue a prior opinion (Art. 61-A(3)).
• For those going to study in Portugal, see the D4 visa. The 2000 Treaty ensures Brazilians access to graduate programs under the same conditions as nationals, without prejudice to numerus clausus (Art. 43).

For this reason, it is advisable to plan recognition and the visa together. In regulated professions, the employment contract may depend on registration with the professional association that has not yet been obtained.

With offices in São Paulo and Albufeira, Sene & Araújo assists with recognition applications in both directions, particularly when the degree is linked to a move to another country, a visa or the practice of a regulated profession.

1. Assessment: review of the diploma, the transcript and the goal (employment, professional association, public competitive examination, further studies) to identify the appropriate type of recognition and the competent authority.
2. Documentation: guidance on certificates, transcripts, course syllabi, apostilles and translations, where required.
3. Application: support with the DGES form or the Carolina Bori Platform, monitoring of time limits and responses to requests for additional information.
4. Challenges: analysis of the grounds for refusals and preparation of complaints, administrative appeals and, where appropriate, actions before the competent courts.
5. Coordination with residence: coordination with the D3 visa, the D4 visa, the residence permit and, for lawyers, registration with the Portuguese Bar Association.

The decision on recognition always rests with the competent authority. Our work is to prepare a complete application and to defend the applicant's rights in the procedure.