Nostification of Foreign Diplomas in Poland

Introduction / Who is it for

Nostification is the procedure for recognizing a foreign diploma (or school certificate) as equivalent to a Polish one. It is necessary for:

• Practicing a regulated profession (doctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer)
• Doctoral studies in Poland
• Certain positions in public administration
• Certain positions requiring a Polish diploma

NOT required for regular employment in the private sector (the employer assesses the candidate independently).

Three paths to recognizing foreign diplomas

1. Automatic recognition (international agreements)

Diplomas from certain countries are recognized automatically without nostification:

• EU countries — in professions regulated by EU directives (doctor, nurse, architect, lawyer)
• Countries with which Poland has bilateral agreements (USA - agreement from 1985 for diplomas; UK - recognition agreement)

2. Legal recognition

Some diplomas are recognized based on the Higher Education Act without nostification:

• Diplomas from EU/EFTA countries — in the same field
• Diplomas from countries with equivalency agreements
• Check the list of countries: nawa.gov.pl (National Agency for Academic Exchange)

3. Judicial nostification

For diplomas not on the automatic list. It requires a formal procedure at a Polish university.

Step by step — nostification

1. Choose a Polish university with nostification rights in your field (e.g., medicine — Medical University; computer science — technical university)
2. Submit an application at the faculty's dean's office
3. Documents:
   • Original foreign diploma
   • Apostille / legalization (if from outside the EU)
   • Sworn translation into Polish
   • Diploma supplement (study program, grades)
   • Possibly high school certificate
   • Copy of passport
4. Nostification fee — 50% of the average monthly salary in Poland (~3,500-4,000 PLN in 2026)
5. University committee reviews the application — comparison of programs
6. Decision:
   • Recognized unconditionally
   • Recognized conditionally upon passing exams (e.g., Polish language, missing subjects)
   • Recognition denied
7. You receive a certificate of nostification (if accepted)

Duration

• Decision: 3-6 months standard
• With exams: an additional 3-12 months
• Possible extensions in complicated cases

Doctors / Nurses — special procedure

For medical professions from EU/EEA countries:

• Automatic recognition of qualifications without nostification
• Requirement: registration with the appropriate professional chamber (NIL — Supreme Medical Chamber; NIPiP — Supreme Chamber of Nurses)
• Test of Polish language proficiency (level B2+)

For countries outside the EU (USA, Canada):

• Full nostification at a medical university
• Medical Exam (LEK) or equivalent (4-6 hours)
• Test of Polish language proficiency
• Adaptation internship in a Polish hospital

School certificates (matura, gymnasium)

Nostification of high school certificates:

• Education office relevant to the place of residence
• Free (or a small fee of 25-50 PLN)
• Decision in 1-3 months
• Necessary for studies at a Polish university

Apostille — requirement for foreign documents

All foreign educational documents MUST be accompanied by apostille (Hague Convention countries) or legalized by the Polish consulate.

• USA: state Secretary of State
• UK: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
• Germany: Bezirksregierung or Innenministerium
• Cost: usually 20-100 USD/document

Sworn translation

All documents must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator. List of translators: arch-bip.ms.gov.pl (Ministry of Justice).

Cost: 50-80 PLN/page (1,800 characters).

Total costs (typical case)

• Foreign apostille — 100-300 USD
• Sworn translation (diploma + supplement) — 500-1,500 PLN
• Nostification fee at the university — 3,500-4,000 PLN
• Supplementary exams (if required) — 0-2,000 PLN/exam
• Total: 4,500-9,000 PLN

NAWA — quick confirmation

National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) issues "certificates of diploma status" — informing whether a given diploma qualifies for automatic recognition. Application is free, decision in 2 weeks. Issue before nostification — it may turn out that it is not needed.

Common mistakes

• Not including the diploma supplement (study program) — the university cannot compare
• Lack of apostille — rejection
• Regular translation instead of sworn translation
• Starting nostification without checking with NAWA whether it is needed
• Choosing the wrong university (e.g., technical university for a philology diploma)
• Not informing about shorter paths for regulated professions in the EU

What next after nostification

• Certificate from the university → professional chamber (medical, legal)
• Ability to apply for positions requiring a Polish diploma
• You can start a doctorate
• Some employers also recognize it