Diploma in Spanish: what should I do ?

You have completed your studies in Spain or Latin America, and you now want that diploma recognised in France — to continue your studies, practise your profession, or simply present it to an employer. The question comes up often: how do you get a Spanish diploma translated, and does just any translation do the job?

No, it doesn’t — and that’s the first thing to keep in mind.

A translation, but not just any translation

A diploma is an official document. A French administrative body, a university or a professional association will not accept a “homemade” translation, however accurate it may be. What’s required is a sworn translation — also called a certified or official translation — carried out by a translator listed as a judicial expert with a French Court of Appeal.

In practice, the translator affixes their stamp, signature and accreditation number to the document. This is what gives the translation the same legal standing as the original in the eyes of French institutions.

What you’ll need

The starting point is the original documents: the diploma itself, the academic transcript (the expediente académico), and, if you have it, the diploma supplement (suplemento europeo al título). The more complete the file, the simpler the following steps will be.

One question often comes up at this stage: should the Spanish diploma be apostilled before translation? That depends entirely on how it will be used. Some universities or administrative bodies require it, others don’t. The safest approach is to check directly with the body that will receive your file, or with the ENIC-NARIC centre, before taking any steps.

Once that question is settled, it’s time for the translation itself. The sworn Spanish-French translator translates the entire document — including the stamps, notes and signatures on the original, which are often overlooked but do matter. You then receive a paper document, signed and stamped, usually stapled to a copy of the original. If you already know your file will need to go to several places, it’s worth asking for several copies at once — that saves a second round trip later.

One last point is worth clarifying: having a sworn translation does not automatically mean your diploma is “recognised” in France. These are two separate processes. For further study, it’s the university in question that decides. For a regulated profession, it’s the relevant professional association. And for a more general recognition of level, the competent body is the ENIC-NARIC France centre.

On timing

It’s hard to give a single figure — it all depends on the length of the diploma and how busy the translator is when you get in touch. In practice, allow anywhere from a few days to around two weeks. If your file has a deadline — a university intake, an application closing date — it’s best to allow plenty of time rather than race against the clock.

At the end of the day, getting a Spanish diploma translated is nothing complicated once you know the right steps: an accredited translator, possibly an apostille beforehand, and the right point of contact for recognition on the French side. Above all, it’s a matter of planning ahead.

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