Recognition of a diploma in Poland: what to translate and in what order

A Russian diploma can be recognised in Poland by two paths, and applicants often take the wrong one, losing time and money on extra documents and translations.

Path 1: recognition under an international treaty

There is an agreement between Russia and Poland on the recognition of education documents. In a number of cases the diploma is recognised directly — by an employer, a university, or an authority — with no separate nostrification procedure. What is needed is a translation of the diploma and supplement into Polish by a tłumacz przysięgły and, as a rule, an apostille on the diploma. This is the fastest option, if it applies to your situation and purpose.

Path 2: nostrification through a Polish university

If recognition is needed for a regulated profession, for continuing studies at the next level, or if direct recognition did not work, the diploma goes through nostrification via a Polish university with a relevant field. The university compares the curricula and may request the curriculum, a statement of hours, and course descriptions — all of which are also translated by a sworn translator, and this is already dozens of pages.

An apostille on the diploma (and sometimes on the supplement) is needed on both paths. It is affixed in Russia, at the education authority of the region where the university is located. Better to do this before departure: remotely and urgently it is difficult and expensive.

The correct sequence

First find out whether Path 1 applies to you: ask the employer or university whether they recognise your diploma under the agreement for your purpose. If so — an apostille plus a sworn translation of the diploma and supplement, and that is all.

If nostrification is needed, before ordering translations clarify the exact list of documents with the chosen university: the lists differ between universities, and translating a curriculum is a noticeable sum. And make sure the name in the diploma translation matches the international passport and the other documents in your immigration package.