Information regarding the recognition of foreign qualifications in Italy is provided by the Italian Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence (CIMEA). The establishment of CIMEA corresponds to the commitments undertaken by our Country by signing and ratifying the Lisbon Convention on the recognition of qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region.
Depending on the level of the qualification and the purpose for which a recognition is requested (e.g. continuation of studies, access to public competitions, nostrification procedure, practice of regulated profession, etc.), there are different procedures and administrations responsible for the recognition. An overview of the various recognition procedures can be found at https://www.cimea.it/EN/pagina-procedure-riconoscimento-titoli.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is not responsible for the recognition of foreign degrees. However, the Italian diplomatic and consular representations abroad (Embassies or Consulates) can issue a Declaration of Value (‘Dichiarazione di Valore in loco’) of a degree or of a professional qualification awarded in their circumscription.
A Declaration of Value does not constitute a recognition of the degree, but it is an informative document that can be used by the Italian educational institutions and administrations responsible for the recognition of degrees, for the purpose of the continuation of studies, professional recognition, and so forth.
The Declaration of Value provides information about: the nature and level of the foreign institution that issued the degree; the course duration and entry requirements; any grade obtained, with reference to the local evaluation system; value of the degree in the issuing country, for the purpose of the continuation of studies or professional recognition in addition to any other information considered useful for the foreign degree evaluation process in Italy.