CIMEA: recognition of foreign qualifications

CIMEA (Centro di Informazione sulla Mobilità e le Equivalenze Accademiche, the Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence) is the Italian information centre responsible for the recognition of foreign qualifications. Its main aim is to promote academic mobility and to support the integration of Italian higher education into the international education area.

What is recognition of qualifications?

Recognition of qualifications is the process of assessing foreign academic diplomas and qualifications for further study or employment in Italy. Recognition does not mean that a diploma automatically becomes equivalent, but it gives you official confirmation of its academic standing.

How does CIMEA work?

CIMEA works with Italian universities and other institutions to assess foreign diplomas and qualifications, guided by international agreements such as the Lisbon Recognition Convention. It advises students and employers on the equivalence of foreign diplomas and the legal status of qualifications.

The main stages of recognition:

1. Submitting documents: the applicant submits their diplomas and diploma supplements through the CIMEA platform or directly to universities or employers.
2. Assessment: CIMEA checks the accreditation of the institutions and programmes.
3. Issue of documents (“Dichiarazione di Valore”, statement of value, or “Attestato di Comparabilità”, statement of comparability): these confirm the academic level of the foreign diploma and how it compares with the Italian education system.
4. Using the results: recognition allows you to enrol at university or to take up a job in your field that requires a certain academic level.

Documents required for recognition:

• The original or a certified copy of the diploma.
• The diploma supplement or a transcript of subjects and grades.
• A translation of the documents into Italian.
• Other documents confirming the status of the educational institution.

Why does it matter?

CIMEA makes official recognition of foreign diplomas possible, which makes it easier to enter academic life and the labour market in Italy.

Legalising documents for study and work in Italy

For documents issued in Ukraine to be valid in Italy for study or work, you need to go through several steps:

1. Apostille: an apostille must be placed on the original document (diploma or school-leaving certificate). It certifies the authenticity of the signature and the capacity of the person who signed the document.
2. Translation into Italian: the documents must be translated by a sworn translator.
3. Swearing the translation at an Italian court (asseverazione): marca da bollo revenue stamps are affixed to the translator’s sworn statement (€16 for every four pages).
4. Dichiarazione di Valore: once the documents have been apostilled, translated and legalised, you apply to the Italian Embassy for this document.

What the Dichiarazione di Valore is used for:

• For study: you may be able to shorten your degree programme, as some of your courses are recognised.
• For work: registering your documents with the job centre (Centro per l’impiego) greatly improves your chances of finding work in your field.

Important notes:

Foreign students can attend regional courses in Italy without a Dichiarazione di Valore, but they need a certificate of Italian at A2 level or an equivalent diploma showing that they attended an Italian school.