Applying for recognition of the level of education (primary and secondary education) without obtaining a final diploma
Last update
Diplomas, degrees, school reports, and certificates from general and vocational secondary education obtained abroad can, in certain conditions, be recognised as equivalent qualifications.
An application for recognition of equivalence is subject to the payment of a mandatory fee.
Who is concerned
The recognition of education qualifications is for:
- children subject to compulsory education, arriving in Luxembourg without having completed a full study cycle resulting in the award of a certificate or other school-leaving credentials in their country of origin and who wish to enrol in the Luxembourg school system;
- children and adults arriving in Luxembourg without having completed a full study cycle resulting in the award of a diploma, certificate or other school-leaving credentials and who wish to resume or finish this study cycle;
- adults interested in ascertaining the equivalence of their education qualifications in Luxembourg in order to find employment, supplement their training and/or pursue adult learning opportunities.
No fee is payable for children who wish to receive recognition of equivalence for primary education in Luxembourg (cycles 1 to 4).
Prerequisites
Recognition of the level of study (in the absence of school-leaving credentials) to establish the extent of the student's primary education in their country of origin requires:
- copies of report cards for the past 2 school years; or
- if these report cards have been lost, a certificate of attendance signed by the head of the school.
Recognition of level of education is not automatic, but instead is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Costs
Each application for recognition of equivalence requires the payment of a fee of EUR 75.
The corresponding proof of payment must be included with the application. The payment of the fee is mandatory in order for the application to be processed, but it does not mean that the recognition of equivalence will be granted. For each application, the conditions of recognition of equivalence must be met.
However, no fee is payable for children who wish to receive a recognition of equivalence for primary education in Luxembourg (cycles 1 to 4).
The fee is not reimbursed if the recognition of equivalence is refused.
A copy of the certificate of equivalence may be issued subject to the payment of a EUR 10 fee.
How to proceed
Application procedure
Applications for recognition of equivalence can be submitted:
- either by email to reconnaissance@men.lu in pdf format;
- or by post to the Department for the recognition of diplomas of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (MENEJ);
- or by online form (see 'Online services and forms').
Elements of the application
The application must include the following documents:
- a written request stating the reason for submitting the application;
- a curriculum vitae stating, among other information, their school curriculum and their date and place of birth;
- a copy of a valid identity document (identity card, passport or residence permit);
- copies of report cards for the past 2 school years (or a certificate of attendance signed by the head of the school) and, where applicable, of the school-leaving credentials obtained;
- proof of payment of the fee.
All copies of diplomas, certificates and other records as well as the photocopy of the identity document, if issued by a non-EU country, must be certified as true copies of the original documents by a competent authority (communal administration, embassy or consulate).
Translation 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 reply to their application between the second and sixth week following receipt of the complete application by the MENEJ. This period begins on the date on which the Department for the Recognition of Diplomas receives the complete application file.
In the event that the application is incomplete, a letter will be sent to the applicant informing them to submit the missing items in order to proceed with the review of the application.
If the applicant does not submit the requested items to the ministry within a period of 3 years following receipt of the letter, the application for recognition will be cancelled and a new request will have 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 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 fee must be paid by bank transfer to the following account:
Account holder: AED-LAR-TAXES
IBAN: LU36 0019 5955 4436 2000
BIC: BCEELULL
Communication: Taxe reconnaissance des diplômes, MENEJ, [name of applicant], [date of application]
Online services and forms
Who to contact
Ministry of Education, Children and Youth Department for the recognition of diplomas
- Address:
-
29, rue Aldringen
L-1118
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
L-2926 Luxembourg
- Phone:
-
(+352) 247 85 910
Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 17.00
- Email address:
- reconnaissance@men.lu
Open ⋅ Closes at 17.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 12.00 et 13.00 to 17.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 12.00 et 13.00 to 17.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 12.00 et 13.00 to 17.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 12.00 et 13.00 to 17.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 12.00 et 13.00 to 17.00
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
Secondary education
on the website of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth
-
Vocational training
on the website of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth
-
Accreditation of prior learning and experience (VAE)
on the website of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth
Legal references
relative à la mise en oeuvre du paquet d'avenir - première partie (2015)
