How to confirm your diploma of higher education in Slovakia and what is nostrification

According to the laws of Slovakia, citizens of foreign countries, in order to feel comfortable, for study or other purposes, must go through the procedure for recognizing documents on education. Without legalization, the document is not valid. We will figure out how to confirm a diploma in Slovakia.

What is nostrification

The procedure for confirming foreign diplomas or certificates (school, university, postgraduate education) in Slovakia is called nostrification. In other words, this is how the relevant state authorities give these documents legal force within their country. Nostrification is necessary in the following cases:

• receiving further education;
• employment in professions that are on the lists of regulated;
• intentions to conduct a licensed business in the republic.

The way of recognition of a school diploma for further studies is different from nostrification for the purpose of getting a job. In the first case, the process is regulated by the internal regulations of the EU member state, in the second - by the EU directive.

Preparatory stage

Before submitting educational documents, they must be marked with an apostille - a stamp confirming the authenticity of the seal and signatures from the educational institution. The stamp is placed on the additional form or on the original diploma. Responsible authorities: Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Education, Ministry of Justice. The next step is to translate the educational document into Slovak. The translation must be done by a local court interpreter.

There are cases in which it is not necessary to affix an apostille. It may not be necessary if an agreement has been ratified between countries that cancels or simplifies the recognition procedure, and the states have signed the Hague Convention. It is better to find out the nuances in advance from the employer or at a particular university.

Diploma confirmation in the Slovak Republic

To legalize a school diploma or certificate with an application, you must collect:

• a completed application (filled in Slovak, personal data, name of the educational institution, year of graduation, location);
• a copy of the passport;
• certified by a local notary and translated copy of the certificate (diploma) with an apostille, as well as certified and translated copies of all applications;
• fee payment receipt.

Translation from the native language into Slovak, as well as notarization is a mandatory item.

Nostrification does not include any examinations. All that is needed is to correctly draw up a package of documents and submit it at the appointed time to the right organization: the Slovak Ministry of Education or Urad Bratislava.

The legalization process lasts 1.5-2.5 months. During this time, the document must go through a preliminary equivalence procedure. At this stage, the grades are transferred to the grading system adopted in Slovakia. This is a five-point system in which the highest mark is one. After that, the equivalent is considered by experts, a confirming certificate is issued.

Nostrification for work

If the purpose of legalizing documents is further employment or entrepreneurship, you should understand the division into regulated and unregulated professions. The first type includes activities for which qualification requirements have been developed, enshrined in regulatory provisions (the exception is the qualification requirement for the level of education):

• medical workers (doctors, paramedics, massage therapists, veterinarians, psychological consultants, dentists, etc.);
• architects, landscape designers, engineers, joiners, carpenters, roofers;
• lawyers, jewelers, teachers, hairdressers and others.

The second includes activities for which there are no qualification conditions or they are generalized. Because of this, it is impossible to compare the level of education acquired with the requirements existing in the country, and therefore there is no need for confirmation.

The list of documents to confirm education in this case is the same as for nostrification for further education. The consideration period is similar, delays may be in the case of highly specialized professions - up to 4 months. In some cases, additional requirements are put forward: documents confirming the completion of practice, a state exam, knowledge of the Slovak language (mandatory for doctors).

In both cases, documents are submitted in person or sent by mail. Submission in electronic format is provided only for those who have an electronic version of the Slovak passport.

In case of refusal to confirm the educational document, a written response must be issued, which contains an application, a list of reasoned reasons, information on the possibility of an appeal.