Getting your foreign qualifications recognised in France

Before you start

• A diploma recognised in the country that issued it
• Scans of your diploma, transcripts and, where requested, translations

Documents you need

• Diploma or certificate

  required

• Transcripts and description of the programme

  required

• Sworn translations into French where required

  optional

• Passport or ID card

  required

• Proof of professional experience

  For regulated professions or VAE

  optional

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Find out whether your profession is regulated

   Service-Public groups regulated professions into liberal professions (for example lawyers, doctors and architects) and commercial or craft occupations (for example mechanics and hairdressers). If your occupation is regulated, you need recognition from the competent authority for that profession before you can work in it, and the procedure differs depending on whether your diploma was obtained in the EU/EEA or elsewhere. If it is not regulated, you can apply for jobs directly.

2. 2

   Step 2: For unregulated jobs, consider a comparability certificate

   For unregulated jobs, your future employer assesses your qualifications. A certificate is optional, but it helps employers understand a foreign diploma. The ENIC-NARIC France centre, run by France Éducation International, issues a certificate of comparability (attestation de comparabilité): an opinion describing the level of your diploma and comparing it with the French system.

   • Cost: €20 for the admissibility review, then €100 for the assessment if the file is admissible, so €120 in total; free for asylum seekers and refugees (2026).
   • How: pre-register online; you receive your file number by email within 24 hours and then complete the application. The procedure is in French only.
   • Limits: only diplomas recognised in the issuing country are assessed. Language diplomas and diplomas giving access to a regulated profession are excluded.
   • Appeal: you can contest an admissibility decision in writing within two months.
3. 3

   Step 3: For regulated professions, apply to the competent authority

   Each regulated profession has its own authority and procedure. Two examples from the health sector:

   • Doctors, dentists, midwives and pharmacists: holders of EU/EEA diplomas listed in EU law benefit from automatic recognition. Holders of non-EU diplomas apply through the national management centre (CNG): they pass anonymous knowledge verification tests (épreuves de vérification des connaissances, EVC), complete a supervised skills consolidation pathway, and their file is then reviewed by the authorisation commission.
   • Nurses: EU/EEA diplomas on the official list are recognised automatically, followed by registration with the nursing council (Ordre des infirmiers). Holders of non-EU diplomas need an individual authorisation to practise, decided by the prefect after review by a regional committee, which can require an aptitude test or an adaptation period.

   For other professions, Service-Public's page on foreign diplomas points to the relevant authority. Expect to provide detailed programme descriptions, proof of experience and sworn translations.

4. 4

   Step 4: For further studies, apply to the institution

   If you want to continue studying, the host institution decides on admission and on how your previous studies count. You apply directly, or through Études en France if you live in one of the countries where Campus France runs it. A comparability certificate can support your application but does not replace the institution's decision. See studying in France.

5. 5

   Step 5: Consider validating your experience (VAE)

   If you have experience but no French qualification, validation of prior learning (validation des acquis de l'expérience, VAE) can lead to a French diploma, professional title or certificate registered in the national directory (RNCP), whatever your nationality. Since the reform, no minimum length of experience is required, as long as your activities match the qualification you target. You apply through the France VAE platform. Costs can be covered by your personal training account (CPF), with a €150 personal contribution, or by your employer. Some qualifications, such as medical degrees, cannot be obtained this way.

Translations and documents

Watch out

Common mistakes

• Paying for a comparability certificate when the job is regulated and needs a different procedure.
• Underestimating the time needed for regulated health professions, which can involve exams and supervised practice.

Tips

• Ask employers whether they actually need a certificate; for many unregulated jobs your CV, diploma and a short explanation are enough.
• Keep your programme descriptions (syllabuses, credits, hours); regulated-profession files often ask for them years after graduation.
• EU citizens in regulated professions should check whether automatic recognition applies before starting a longer procedure.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Official links

In your plan

• Check whether your qualification needs recognition in FranceAdd to plan
• Find the residence route that fits your move to FranceAdd to plan
• Apply for admission to a French university or schoolAdd to plan
• Start your job search before you moveAdd to plan
• Gather and translate your work and housing documentsAdd to plan

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 5 Apr 2027.