Diploma Recognition in Luxembourg: The Equivalence You Need to Apply

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

In Luxembourg the diploma recognition comes before the application, not after it. The University of Luxembourg requires a recognition, called an equivalence, of any secondary school diploma that was not issued by the Luxembourg Ministry of Education. The university does not handle this procedure. It is done by the ministry, and uni.lu says it usually takes at least six weeks.

Who needs it

For a bachelor's application at uni.lu, the equivalence is mandatory if you hold:

the International Baccalaureate;
IGCSE, AS-levels or A-levels;
any diploma not issued by the Luxembourg Ministry of Education, such as a French or US diploma or a diploma from a school in Luxembourg that does not follow the official curriculum.

You do not need it with a Luxembourg classical or general secondary diploma or with a European Baccalaureate. You can only ask for the equivalence once you hold the diploma or a certificate of achievement.

The timing differs by status. Non-EU applicants without a Luxembourg residence permit must include the equivalence in the application itself, and applications without it are not eligible. EU, EEA and Swiss applicants can apply without it and receive a conditional admission, then provide it by 15 November of the first semester. See how admission works.

Which body, which fee

The Service de la reconnaissance des diplômes of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth decides. According to Guichet.lu, the fee is:

75 euros for diplomas from countries that signed the Paris, Lisbon or World conventions on recognition of diplomas, and for the European Baccalaureate;
125 euros for diplomas from countries that did not sign those conventions, and for the International Baccalaureate.

The fee is mandatory for the file to be processed, and it is not reimbursed if the recognition is refused. The decision is case by case, never automatic. The official page lists countries that have signed the conventions, and it included, in the list valid in September 2024, countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom. Check the current list before you assume which fee applies.

What the ministry checks

For countries that signed the conventions, the diploma must show at least 12 years of consecutive study and give access to higher education in the country that issued it. Where the diploma does not say so, supporting documentation is required.

For diplomas from countries that did not sign the conventions, the ministry sets extra conditions. Recognition is possible only if you have one of the following:

a diploma showing at least 3 years of higher education in an EU member state;
proof of enrolment in higher education in an EU member state, together with the list of subjects of your secondary diploma;
a higher education diploma of at least 3 years from a third country, together with a B2 certificate in Luxembourgish, French or German, or proof of three years of study in one of these languages, or proof that the secondary school exam was taken in one of them.

The application

Send the application by email as a PDF to reconnaissance@men.lu, by post, or through the online form. It must include:

a written request stating the reason;
a CV with your education and the date and place of birth;
a copy of a valid identity document;
copies of the diplomas;
proof of payment of the fee.

Copies of diplomas and ID issued outside the EU must be certified by an approved authority, such as a communal administration, an embassy or a consulate. Documents must be in French, Luxembourgish, German or English, or translated by a sworn translator in Luxembourg. The processing time is 2 to 10 weeks for diplomas from convention countries. The page gives no processing time for other countries, so start months before the deadline.

Master's applicants

A Master's applicant needs a different recognition. Anyone whose bachelor's degree is not from an EU or EEA state or Switzerland must have the degree entered in the register of titles at the Ministry of Research and Higher Education. This is not required with the application. It can only be requested after you are admitted, for the final enrolment. Degrees from Belgium and the Netherlands are recognised automatically. Professional recognition for regulated professions is a separate procedure.

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.