Recognition of Diplomas and School Certificates

Recognition of a foreign school document is the procedure by which a qualification obtained abroad is equated with the corresponding valid public document of the Republic of Serbia. In this way, you acquire the right to continue education or employment in our country.
The procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications is carried out by the ENIC/NARIC Centre, which is an organizational unit of the Qualifications Agency. The register of foreign institutions and the issuing of decisions is handled by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia.

The right to recognition of a foreign school document is granted to:

  • Citizens of the Republic of Serbia

  • foreign citizens and stateless persons, if there is a legal interest in doing so.

Eligible for recognition:

  • School certificates obtained abroad

  • School certificates obtained from foreign institutions operating in the Republic of Serbia, which have been granted approval to operate by the competent ministry.

Recognition of primary school diplomas and enrollment in secondary school

A student who has completed primary education (or one of the last two grades of primary school) abroad, or in a foreign school in Serbia, may enroll in secondary school only after the recognition of the foreign school certificate.
The recognition procedure is conducted by Qualifications Agencyand thereafter the parent or legal guardian of the student submits a written request to the District Commission for the Enrollment of Students in Secondary School in the territory where the desired school is located.

The request must specify at least five preferences (schools and study programs), and it must be accompanied by the decision on the recognition of the foreign school certificate, or by confirmation that the request for recognition has been submitted.

The District Commission assigns students to schools. For certain educational profiles, health requirements must also be met, and therefore a certificate issued by a healthcare institution is submitted along with the documentation. A student awaiting the completion of the recognition procedure may be conditionally enrolled in the next grade until the procedure has been finalized.

For certain schools and programs (music, ballet, fine arts, classes for students with special abilities, and schools with instruction in a foreign language), an entrance exam is mandatory . However, there are exceptions: a student who has completed the last two grades of primary school in a foreign language may, after the recognition of the diploma, be enrolled without taking the entrance exam, provided that there is space available in the class.

The call for enrollment in secondary schools and the calendar of activities are published by the Ministry of Education each year no later than the beginning of May.

Enrollment in a higher grade of secondary school

If a student has completed one or more grades of secondary school abroad, or in a foreign school in Serbia, after the recognition of the foreign school certificate, he or she may continue education in the corresponding grade.
By decision of the Agency for Qualifications, it is determined which grade the student may enroll in, and in some cases, a list of examinations to be taken is prescribed in order to align the differences in the curriculum.

The parent or legal guardian submits the application to the principal of the school the student wishes to attend. If all places are filled, the principal may reject the application, in which case it is necessary to apply to another school.

Recognition of Secondary School Diplomas

For the recognition of a secondary school diploma, you should also contact the Agency for Qualifications.The application may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically.

Required documentation:

  1. Certified translation by a court interpreter in the Republic of Serbia (mandatory for the last completed grade and the final diploma, and in the case of employment, for all grades).

  2. Translation by a sworn court interpreter in the Republic of Serbia (mandatory for the last completed grade and the final diploma, and, in the case of employment, for all grades).

  3. Proof of previously completed grades in Serbia or abroad.

  4. Proof of payment of the fee for the costs of the procedure.

Guidelines and application forms are available on the website of the Agency for Qualifications.

Recognition of Higher Education Diplomas

For university diplomas, there are two types of recognition:

  • Academic recognition – when the purpose is to continue education (e.g., enrollment in master's or doctoral studies).

  • Professional recognition – when the purpose is employment and the exercise of labor rights.

The procedure for the recognition of higher education documents is initiated by applying to the faculty or university in Serbia where the candidate wishes to continue studies or gain employment. Each higher education institution has its own office that provides detailed instructions regarding the required documentation and procedure.

It is recommended that students obtain timely information about deadlines, required translations, and fees, in order to ensure a smooth procedure.

This process, although sometimes demanding, makes it possible for the knowledge and diplomas obtained abroad to be officially recognized and valued in the Republic of Serbia, thereby opening the door to further education and professional development.