Applying for recognition of diplomas (baccalauréat/maturité)

Under certain conditions, recognition of equivalency may be granted for secondary school leaving certificates/diplomas (general, technical and vocational) obtained abroad.

Applications for recognition of equivalency are subject to the payment of a compulsory fee, the amount of which varies depending on the country in which the certificate/diploma was obtained.

Who is concerned

So-called "academic" recognition of diplomas applies to the following categories of persons:

  • holders of a Baccalauréat- or Matura-type diploma who wish to pursue higher-education or university studies in Luxembourg;
  • holders of a Baccalauréat- or Matura-type diploma who wish to enter the employment market;
  • holders of other general, technical and vocational secondary school leaving diplomas.

Prerequisites

Conditions for countries that are signatories to the Paris and/or Lisbon Conventions

Recognition may be granted for school-leaving certificates/diplomas after examination of the file by the competent departments, and if the following criteria are met:

  • the diploma must have been awarded in recognition of the successful completion of at least 12 consecutive years of schooling;
  • the certificate/diploma must enable access to higher-education or university studies in the country of origin.

Supporting documentation is required for certificates/diplomas that do not specify such access.

The certificates/diplomas of countries that are signatories to the Council of Europe Lisbon/Paris conventions on the mutual recognition of diplomas are taken into consideration.

Mutual recognition of diplomas applies in the following countries (current list):

  • Member States of the European Council: Albania, Germany, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, the Republic of North Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine;
  • Non-Member States of the European Council: Australia, Belarus, Canada, Israel, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Kyrghyz Republic, Holy See (Vatican), Tajikistan.

The recognition of a foreign certificate/diploma is not automatic, but is decided on a case-by-case basis. During the recognition procedure, a distinction is made between:

  • certificates/diplomas from countries that signed the Paris and/or Lisbon Convention on the mutual recognition of diplomas;
  • and the diplomas issued by third countries (countries that did not sign the Paris and/or Lisbon Conventions.

This distinction entails specific conditions and procedures for establishing equivalencies.

Special conditions for holders of diplomas from third countries (i.e., countries that are not signatories to the Paris and/or Lisbon Conventions on the mutual recognition of diplomas)

In addition to the conditions required for the countries that have signed the Paris and/or Lisbon Conventions, equivalency to a Luxembourg secondary school leaving diploma - be it for general, technical and/or technician studies - awarded in a country that has not signed the conventions will only be recognised in the following cases:

  1. if the candidate holds a diploma issued by a higher education establishment recognised by and located in a Member State of the European Union (EU), in recognition of the successful completion of a higher education study cycle of at least 3 years (bac+3); or
  2. if the candidate can produce proof of enrolment (formal) for higher-education studies in an EU Member State, and if the diploma meets the following criteria: the examination tests for the diploma must have covered at least 2 languages (including French or German), as well as subjects in at least 3 of the following areas:
    • social sciences;
    • natural sciences;
    • mathematics;
    • technology;
    • fine arts and music; or
  3. if the candidate holds a diploma awarded by a higher education establishment recognised by a third country, in recognition of the successful completion of a higher education study cycle of at least 3 years (bac+3), and if they can produce:
    • a level B2 language certificate for Luxembourgish, French or German under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages; or
    • proof of 3 years of studies of one of the 3 aforementioned languages during the school years; or
    • a certificate attesting that either the Luxembourgish, the French or the German language were one of the subjects passed at the secondary school graduation exam.

Specific conditions for holders of the International Baccalaureate (IBO)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma is recognised as an equivalent of the Luxembourg secondary school leaving diploma if, in addition to the criteria set by the International Baccalaureate Organisation in Geneva, the following conditions are met:

  1. the International Baccalaureate exams must cover:
    1. two languages (group 1: language A1, group 2: language A2);
    2. one subject of each of the following disciplines:
      • group 3: "individuals and society": including history, geography, economics, philosophy, psychology, business and management;
      • group 4 "sciences": including biology, chemistry, physics;
    3. group 5 "mathematics and computer science": mathematical studies standard level, mathematics SL, mathematics higher level, computer science;
    4. and choose between:
      • group 6 "arts": including visual arts, music, theatre and film; or
      • a second subject from groups 1 to 5.
      The nomenclature of the "groups" is that used by the International Baccalaureate Organisation in Geneva.
  2. of the 2 languages mentioned under point 1.a, at least 1 must be French, or English, or German;
  3. at least 3 subjects must be studied at the higher level (HL), and the others at the standard level (SL);
  4. in order to obtain the IB diploma, the candidate must meet all the conditions set by the internal rules of the International Baccalaureate;
  5. the student's education must span at least 12 years of primary and secondary studies;
  6. during their studies, the student must have completed a study cycle of 4 years in a foreign language other than the 2 languages mentioned in point 1.a.

Moreover, the International Baccalaureate diploma may be recognised as equivalent to the Luxembourg secondary school leaving diploma in the conditions provided for in Article 4.1 of the Grand-Duchy Regulation of 27 October 2006 in execution of Article 4 of the amended Law of 18 June 1969 on higher education and the accreditation of foreign higher education titles and diplomas.

Deadlines

The processing time for files relating to diplomas from signatory countries is 2 to 10 weeks.

Costs

Applications for recognition of secondary school graduation diplomas are subject to the payment of a tax of:

  • EUR 75 for diplomas issued in a country signatory of the Paris and Lisbon conventions;
  • EUR 75 for diplomas awarded by an European school (European baccalaureate);
  • EUR 125 for diplomas issued in a country not signatory of the Paris and Lisbon conventions;
  • EUR 125 for diplomas issued by the IBO (international baccalaureate).
The tax must be paid by bank transfer to the bank account at the Banque et Caisse d’Épargne de l’État:
IBAN LU36 0019 5955 4436 2000
BIC/SWIFT BCEELULL
Name of the beneficiary: Administration de l’Enregistrement et des Domaines
Communication: Taxe reconnaissance des diplômes, MENEJ, and the name of the applicant, date of the application

The corresponding proof of payment must be included with the application. The payment of the tax is mandatory in order for the application to be processed, but does not mean that the application will be successful. For each application, the conditions of recognition of equivalence must be met.

In case of a rejection of recognition of equivalence the tax is not reimbursed.

A copy of the certificate of equivalence may be issued subject to the payment of a EUR 10 tax.

How to proceed

Application procedure

Applications for recognition of equivalence can be submitted either:

Composition of the application for certificates/diplomas from countries that signed the Paris and/or Lisbon Convention on the mutual recognition of diplomas

The application must include the following documents:

  • a written request mentioning the reason for submitting the application;
  • a curriculum vitae including, among other information, the applicant’s educational background and date and place of birth;
  • a photocopy of a valid identity document (identity card, passport or residence permit);
  • a copy of their diplomas/certificates;
  • proof of payment of the fee.

All copies of certificates/diplomas and identity documents issued by third countries to the EU must be certified by an approved authority (communal administration, embassy or consulate).

Composition of the application for certificates/diplomas from third countries

In this case, the certificates/diplomas are awarded by countries that have not signed the Paris and/or Lisbon Conventions on the mutual recognition of diplomas, that is all the countries not mentioned in the list under 'Prerequisites'.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

  • a written request mentioning the reason for submitting the application;
  • a curriculum vitae including, among other information, the applicant’s educational background and date and place of birth;
  • a photocopy of a valid identity document (identity card, passport or residence permit);
  • a copy of their diplomas/certificates;
  • only for beneficiaries of international protection status: a document certifying that the applicant was granted this status in Luxembourg;
  • proof of payment of the fee.

Applicants must also attach:

  • a certificate/diploma attesting to the successful completion of at least 3 years of higher education or university studies in an EU Member State; or
  • proof of enrolment in a higher education establishment or university in an EU Member State, as well as the list of the subjects taken for the secondary school leaving diploma (e.g. transcript of grades); or
  • a diploma issued by a higher education establishment recognised by a third country, providing proof of successful completion of a higher education study cycle of at least 3 years (bac+3) together with:
    • a level B2 language certificate for Luxembourgish, French or German under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages; or
    • proof of 3 years of studies of one of the 3 aforementioned languages during the the course of their studies; or
    • a certificate attesting that either the Luxembourgish, the French or the German language were one of the subjects passed at the secondary school graduation exam.

All copies of certificates/diplomas and identity documents issued by third countries to the EU must be certified by an approved authority (communal administration, embassy or consulate).

Translations of documents

The documents must be written either in one of the 3 official languages of Luxembourg (French, Luxembourgish or German), or in English, or translated into one of these languages by a sworn translator established in Luxembourg.

The translator's stamp must be affixed partly on the translation and partly on the document provided for translation. Each document must be signed by the translator. In the absence of this stamp, a document attesting to the translator’s sworn status must be included with the application (for example, a copy of the translator's registration certificate on the list of experts, translators and interpreters).

If necessary, the applicant may be asked for additional information.

Processing the application

The applicant will receive a response between the second and sixth week following the receipt of their complete application by the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (Ministère de l'Education nationale, de l'Enfance et de la Jeunesse). This period begins on the date on which the Department for the Recognition of Diplomas receives the complete application file.

If the application is incomplete, a letter will be sent to the applicant indicating the missing items that need to be provided for the application to be processed.

For urgent cases, and pending the processing of the file, it is recommended that applicants also apply for recognition of level of education, since that procedure will allow their application to be processed more rapidly.

If the applicant does not submit the requested items to the ministry within a period of 3 years following receipt of that letter, the application for recognition is cancelled and a new request will need to be filed.

The applicant can, with the help of a lawyer, file a judicial appeal before the administrative tribunal in Luxembourg against the decision taken by the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (ministère de l'Education nationale, de l'Enfance et de la Jeunesse - MENEJ).

More information can be provided by the Department for the Recognition of Diplomas (email: reconnaissance@men.lu).

Requesting duplicates

A fee of EUR 10 must be paid for each request for a duplicate of a recognition of equivalence.

The tax must be paid by bank transfer to the bank account at the Banque et Caisse d’Épargne de l’État:
IBAN LU36 0019 5955 4436 2000
BIC/SWIFT BCEELULL
Name of the beneficiary: Administration de l’Enregistrement et des Domaines
Communication: Taxe reconnaissance des diplômes, MENEJ, and the name of the applicant, date of the application

Forms / Online services

Demande de reconnaissance de niveau d’études, de diplômes (baccalauréat/maturité) et de qualifications professionnelles

Les informations qui vous concernent recueillies sur ce formulaire font l’objet d’un traitement par l’administration concernée afin de mener à bien votre demande.

Ces informations sont conservées pour la durée nécessaire par l’administration à la réalisation de la finalité du traitement

Les destinataires de vos données sont les administrations compétentes dans le cadre du traitement de votre demande. Veuillez-vous adresser à l’administration concernée par votre demande pour connaître les destinataires des données figurant sur ce formulaire. Conformément au règlement (UE) 2016/679 relatif à la protection des personnes physiques à l'égard du traitement des données à caractère personnel et à la libre circulation de ces données, vous bénéficiez d’un droit d’accès, de rectification et le cas échéant d’effacement des informations vous concernant. Vous disposez également du droit de retirer votre consentement à tout moment.

En outre et excepté le cas où le traitement de vos données présente un caractère obligatoire, vous pouvez, pour des motifs légitimes, vous y opposer.

Si vous souhaitez exercer ces droits et/ou obtenir communication de vos informations, veuillez-vous adresser à l’administration concernée suivant les coordonnées indiquées dans le formulaire. Vous avez également la possibilité d’introduire une réclamation auprès de la Commission nationale pour la protection des données ayant son siège à 15, boulevard du Jazz L-4370 Belvaux.

En poursuivant votre démarche, vous acceptez que vos données personnelles soient traitées dans le cadre de votre demande.

Démarche en ligne

Accéder à la démarche

Application for recognition of a secondary school graduation diploma

To complete your application, the information about you collected from this form needs to be processed by the public administration concerned.

That information is kept by the administration in question for as long as it is required to achieve the purpose of the processing operation(s).

Your data will be shared with other public administrations that are necessary for the processing of your application. For details on which departments will have access to the data on this form, please contact the public administration you are filing your application with.

Under the terms of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, you have the right to access, rectify or, where applicable, remove any information relating to you. You are also entitled to withdraw your consent at any time.

Additionally, unless the processing of your personal data is compulsory, you may, with legitimate reasons, oppose the processing of such data.

If you wish to exercise these rights and/or obtain a record of the information held about you, please contact the administration in question using the contact details provided on the form. You are also entitled to file a claim with the National Commission for Data Protection (Commission nationale pour la protection des données), headquartered at 15, boulevard du Jazz L-4370 Belvaux.

By submitting your application, you agree that your personal data may be processed as part of the application process.

Demande de reconnaissance de diplôme de type baccalauréat / diplôme de maturité

Les informations qui vous concernent recueillies sur ce formulaire font l’objet d’un traitement par l’administration concernée afin de mener à bien votre demande.

Ces informations sont conservées pour la durée nécessaire par l’administration à la réalisation de la finalité du traitement

Les destinataires de vos données sont les administrations compétentes dans le cadre du traitement de votre demande. Veuillez-vous adresser à l’administration concernée par votre demande pour connaître les destinataires des données figurant sur ce formulaire. Conformément au règlement (UE) 2016/679 relatif à la protection des personnes physiques à l'égard du traitement des données à caractère personnel et à la libre circulation de ces données, vous bénéficiez d’un droit d’accès, de rectification et le cas échéant d’effacement des informations vous concernant. Vous disposez également du droit de retirer votre consentement à tout moment.

En outre et excepté le cas où le traitement de vos données présente un caractère obligatoire, vous pouvez, pour des motifs légitimes, vous y opposer.

Si vous souhaitez exercer ces droits et/ou obtenir communication de vos informations, veuillez-vous adresser à l’administration concernée suivant les coordonnées indiquées dans le formulaire. Vous avez également la possibilité d’introduire une réclamation auprès de la Commission nationale pour la protection des données ayant son siège à 15, boulevard du Jazz L-4370 Belvaux.

En poursuivant votre démarche, vous acceptez que vos données personnelles soient traitées dans le cadre de votre demande.

Antrag auf Anerkennung eines Abiturzeugnisses/Reifezeugnisses

Ihre in diesem Formular erfassten personenbezogenen Informationen werden von der zuständigen Verwaltungsbehörde verarbeitet, um Ihren Antrag erfolgreich abzuschließen.

Diese Informationen werden von der Behörde für den zur Verarbeitung erforderlichen Zeitraum gespeichert.

Die Empfänger Ihrer Daten sind die im Rahmen Ihres Antrags zuständigen Verwaltungsbehörden. Um die Empfänger der in diesem Formular erfassten Daten zu erfahren, wenden Sie sich bitte an die für Ihren Antrag zuständige Behörde.

Gemäß der Verordnung (EU) 2016/679 zum Schutz natürlicher Personen bei der Verarbeitung personenbezogener Daten und zum freien Datenverkehr haben Sie das Recht auf Zugang, Berichtigung und gegebenenfalls Löschung Ihrer personenbezogenen Informationen. Sie haben zudem das Recht, Ihre erteilte Einwilligung jederzeit zu widerrufen.

Weiterhin können Sie, außer in Fällen, in denen die Verarbeitung Ihrer Daten verpflichtend ist, Widerspruch einlegen, wenn dieser rechtmäßig begründet ist.

Wenn Sie diese Rechte ausüben und/oder Einsicht in Ihre Informationen nehmen möchten, können Sie sich unter den im Formular angegebenen Kontaktdaten an die zuständige Verwaltungsbehörde wenden. Sie haben außerdem die Möglichkeit, bei der Nationalen Kommission für den Datenschutz Beschwerde einzulegen (Commission nationale pour la protection des données, 15, boulevard du Jazz L-4370 Belvaux).

Wenn Sie Ihren Vorgang fortsetzen, akzeptieren Sie damit, dass Ihre personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihres Antrags verarbeitet werden.

Curriculum vitae for Europass

To complete your application, the information about you collected from this form needs to be processed by the public administration concerned.

That information is kept by the administration in question for as long as it is required to achieve the purpose of the processing operation(s).

Your data will be shared with other public administrations that are necessary for the processing of your application. For details on which departments will have access to the data on this form, please contact the public administration you are filing your application with.

Under the terms of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, you have the right to access, rectify or, where applicable, remove any information relating to you. You are also entitled to withdraw your consent at any time.

Additionally, unless the processing of your personal data is compulsory, you may, with legitimate reasons, oppose the processing of such data.

If you wish to exercise these rights and/or obtain a record of the information held about you, please contact the administration in question using the contact details provided on the form. You are also entitled to file a claim with the National Commission for Data Protection (Commission nationale pour la protection des données), headquartered at 15, boulevard du Jazz L-4370 Belvaux.

By submitting your application, you agree that your personal data may be processed as part of the application process.

Curriculum Vitae Europass

Les informations qui vous concernent recueillies sur ce formulaire font l’objet d’un traitement par l’administration concernée afin de mener à bien votre demande.

Ces informations sont conservées pour la durée nécessaire par l’administration à la réalisation de la finalité du traitement

Les destinataires de vos données sont les administrations compétentes dans le cadre du traitement de votre demande. Veuillez-vous adresser à l’administration concernée par votre demande pour connaître les destinataires des données figurant sur ce formulaire. Conformément au règlement (UE) 2016/679 relatif à la protection des personnes physiques à l'égard du traitement des données à caractère personnel et à la libre circulation de ces données, vous bénéficiez d’un droit d’accès, de rectification et le cas échéant d’effacement des informations vous concernant. Vous disposez également du droit de retirer votre consentement à tout moment.

En outre et excepté le cas où le traitement de vos données présente un caractère obligatoire, vous pouvez, pour des motifs légitimes, vous y opposer.

Si vous souhaitez exercer ces droits et/ou obtenir communication de vos informations, veuillez-vous adresser à l’administration concernée suivant les coordonnées indiquées dans le formulaire. Vous avez également la possibilité d’introduire une réclamation auprès de la Commission nationale pour la protection des données ayant son siège à 15, boulevard du Jazz L-4370 Belvaux.

En poursuivant votre démarche, vous acceptez que vos données personnelles soient traitées dans le cadre de votre demande.

Lebenslauf Europass

Ihre in diesem Formular erfassten personenbezogenen Informationen werden von der zuständigen Verwaltungsbehörde verarbeitet, um Ihren Antrag erfolgreich abzuschließen.

Diese Informationen werden von der Behörde für den zur Verarbeitung erforderlichen Zeitraum gespeichert.

Die Empfänger Ihrer Daten sind die im Rahmen Ihres Antrags zuständigen Verwaltungsbehörden. Um die Empfänger der in diesem Formular erfassten Daten zu erfahren, wenden Sie sich bitte an die für Ihren Antrag zuständige Behörde.

Gemäß der Verordnung (EU) 2016/679 zum Schutz natürlicher Personen bei der Verarbeitung personenbezogener Daten und zum freien Datenverkehr haben Sie das Recht auf Zugang, Berichtigung und gegebenenfalls Löschung Ihrer personenbezogenen Informationen. Sie haben zudem das Recht, Ihre erteilte Einwilligung jederzeit zu widerrufen.

Weiterhin können Sie, außer in Fällen, in denen die Verarbeitung Ihrer Daten verpflichtend ist, Widerspruch einlegen, wenn dieser rechtmäßig begründet ist.

Wenn Sie diese Rechte ausüben und/oder Einsicht in Ihre Informationen nehmen möchten, können Sie sich unter den im Formular angegebenen Kontaktdaten an die zuständige Verwaltungsbehörde wenden. Sie haben außerdem die Möglichkeit, bei der Nationalen Kommission für den Datenschutz Beschwerde einzulegen (Commission nationale pour la protection des données, 15, boulevard du Jazz L-4370 Belvaux).

Wenn Sie Ihren Vorgang fortsetzen, akzeptieren Sie damit, dass Ihre personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihres Antrags verarbeitet werden.

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