A secondary school diploma obtained abroad, whether a lower secondary certificate or a school-leaving qualification such as A levels, the International Baccalaureate, a high school diploma or a bachillerato, can be declared equivalent to the corresponding Italian diploma under Legislative Decree 297 of 16 April 1994. The declaration is issued by the school offices of the Ministry of Education and gives the foreign diploma the legal value of the Italian one, which matters for public competitions, for apprenticeships and for every situation in which an Italian diploma is required. The right to apply is however limited by law to certain categories of applicants, and others continue their studies in Italy through equivalence instead.
Who may apply
The declaration of equivalence of a foreign secondary diploma may be requested by Italian citizens, by birth, by marriage or by naturalisation, in the last two cases attaching the decree granting citizenship; by citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland; and by persons holding refugee status under article 383 of Legislative Decree 297/1994, attaching the Prefecture’s decree. Applicants must be of age. Third-country nationals who do not fall within these categories cannot obtain the declaration of equivalence and therefore cannot obtain legal value for their school diploma in Italy, but they can continue their studies in Italian schools and universities through an assessment of equivalence of the studies completed abroad, which is a different procedure with a different outcome.
Where to apply
The application is filed, in person or through a representative with power of attorney, with the provincial school office of the place of residence for lower secondary certificates, and with the regional school office for upper secondary diplomas. Unlike university qualifications, for which tables of correspondence and comparability statements exist, secondary diplomas are assessed one by one: there are no fixed tables matching foreign diplomas to Italian ones, and the office compares the subjects studied abroad with those of the Italian programme that the applicant indicates as the closest, for instance the liceo scientifico, the liceo linguistico or a technical institute.
Integrative tests
Because the comparison is made case by case, the examining committee appointed by the Ministry may require the applicant to sit integrative tests, in Italian language and in the subjects that characterise the Italian programme and are missing from the foreign one. The Italian language test is waived for applicants who prove their knowledge of Italian with suitable documents, such as a certificate of attendance of Italian language courses or a school record that lists Italian among the subjects studied, as provided by the Ministry’s note of 20 April 2011. The subject tests depend on the gap between the two curricula, which is why the choice of the Italian programme indicated in the application matters.
Documents
The diploma, legalised with an apostille or by the Italian consulate; the record of the subjects studied and the grades obtained in the final years; the Dichiarazione di valore issued by the Italian representation in the country of study, which for school diplomas remains the document most offices require; proof of citizenship or status; an identity document; and sworn translations into Italian of every foreign document. The firm reviews the documents, obtains the apostilles and translations, prepares the application indicating the most suitable Italian programme and follows the procedure with the school office until the declaration is issued.
Frequently asked questions
I am a third-country national: can I enrol at an Italian university with my foreign diploma?
Yes. University enrolment does not require the declaration of equivalence but an assessment by the university of the studies completed abroad, which must amount to at least twelve years of schooling and give access to university in the country of origin. The page on equivalence for further study explains the requirements.
Do I need the declaration of equivalence to sit a public competition that requires a school diploma?
Not necessarily. For public competitions a lighter recognition exists through the Department of the Civil Service with the opinion of the Ministry of Education, valid for that competition only. The declaration of equivalence is needed when the Italian diploma itself is required, for example for registration in certain professional rolls.
Can I obtain the declaration while still living abroad?
The application is filed with the school office of the province or region of residence in Italy, so an Italian address is required. Italian citizens residing abroad apply through the office competent for the municipality where they are registered with AIRE or where they intend to settle, and the firm can file on their behalf with a power of attorney.
How long does it take?
From a few months to a year, depending on the office and on whether integrative tests are required. Obtaining the Dichiarazione di valore from the Italian representation abroad is often the longest step and should be started first.
Do you need your school diploma recognised in Italy?
Send us a scan of the diploma and tell us your citizenship and what you need it for: you receive within one working day the route to follow, the documents required and a written quote.
