Recognition of level of higher education (without study field comparison)

Introduction

When to apply for recognition of a higher education degree (without comparison of field of study)?

You apply if you have a foreign higher education degree and you want to continue your studies at a Slovak higher education institution, or if you need recognition of the level of higher education for another purpose.

You do not apply if:

you are applying to practice a regulated profession (another type of application required)
you need recognition for further study and other purposes and a recognition statement has been issued for your qualification (please use the recognition statement)
you need recognition for further study and other purposes, including the comparison of study field (another type of application required)

If you need to navigate between the different application types, please use the Navigator.

Bilateral agreements and application fees

The application form for paper submission automatically determines whether the document is a bilateral agreement document and calculates the correct administration fee. In case of electronic submission, you need to select the correct form depending on whether the bilateral agreement is applicable to the submitted qualification. The list of bilateral agreements with their full text is available in the Specifics section.

Processing times

The processing time for this type of application is 1 month. The processing time starts from the receipt of a complete application.

Result of the application and further action

The outcome of the application is a decision on the recognition of the higher education degree.

For information on how decisions are delivered, how to appeal and how the decision becomes final, see the section Issuing of decisions.

Paper application submission

Prepare the following:

completed application form
Application for recognition of the level of higher education for further studies and other purposes
power of attorney if you are submitting the application on behalf of another person (enter your details in the 'applicant' section of the form and sign the application, fill in the holder's details in the 'document holder' section)
simple copy of your identity document (if you are the proxy, also of the document holder), simple copy of the temporary shelter document or other proof of international protection (if applicable)
certified copy of the evidence of formal education
certified copy of the diploma supplement or complete transcript of courses and examinations taken
official translation of the documents under 4. and 5. (for documents issued in English, German, French, French, Russian and Hungarian, your own translation will be accepted; translation is not necessary if you hold a document issued in Czech or Latin)
apostille or superlegalization of a document issued outside the European Higher Education Area (from September 1, 2026)
proof of payment of the administration fee (eKolok, available at the post office, in the eKolok mobile app or web app at https://m.ekolky.gov.sk) in the amount of
- EUR 7 if the document is covered by a bilateral agreement (code 1723 in the eKolok app); or
- EUR 40 if the document is not covered by a bilateral agreement (code 2218 in the eKolok app), the proof of payment is a document with a QR code.

Deliver the application together with the attachments by post or in person to the following address:

Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic
Centre for Recognition of Diplomas
Černyševského 50
851 01 Bratislava
(information about the in-person submission at the registry room)

Frequently asked questions related to application submission

If you are submitting an application, please ensure that your post box is properly marked with your name at the contact address given in the application so that you can receive the official mail in reply. Please do not send multiple identic applications under any circumstances. An application submitted repeatedly on the same matter will be dealt with by one decision only.

Electronic application submission

Prepare an activated electronic identity document (ID with a chip/eIDAS) and the reader.

Next, please proceed according to whether your document is covered by a bilateral agreement.

If you have a document covered by a bilateral agreement

Fill in the electronic form at the Central Public Administration Portal (www.slovensko.sk):

Electronic application form for recognition of level of higher education under a bilateral agreement

As attachments, upload:

your own scan of your identity/residence card or passport, your own scan of the document granting temporary refuge (if applicable)
certified conversion of a power of attorney if you are applying on behalf of another person (enter your details in the 'applicant' section and sign the application, fill in the holder's details in the 'document holder' section)
certified conversion of the evidence of formal qualifications
certified conversion of a diploma supplement or a complete transcript of courses and examinations taken
official translation of the documents in points 3. and 4. - certified conversion (from documents issued in English, German, French, Russian and Hungarian languages, own translation is accepted, translation is not necessary if you are the holder of a document issued in Czech or Latin language)
apostille or superlegalization of a document issued outside the European Higher Education Area (from September 1, 2026)
administration fee at a reduced electronic rate of EUR 3,50 (pay by credit card when submitting the electronic application or have the payment prescription sent to your electronic mailbox, it is not necessary to purchase an eKolok in advance)

Please sign the application electronically before sending. Please do not sign attachments. An attachment signed by you is not equivalent to a certified conversion.

If you have a document that is not covered by a bilateral agreement