Algeria: recognition of ESO and Bachillerato

Check your level of study

Spain's official sheet lists school years by grade and distinguishes an earlier system. Use the table corresponding to your records; an indicative equivalence does not replace a recognition decision. Prior recognition is not required to join any ESO class.

Prepare complete academic records

Request official certificates showing subjects, grades and academic years from the school or competent education authority. Check names, dates, signatures and stamps before arranging apostilles and translations.

• ESO: the four years identified in the table and the compulsory education certificate, if available. Bachiller: at least the last three years, diploma and Baccalauréat examination results.
• You can identify yourself using a passport; you do not need to obtain an NIE solely to start this application. Identify and authorise any representative acting for you.
• Include previous Spanish studies where applicable. Present apostilled originals and their translations so the registry can make verified copies; informal photographs alone are insufficient.

Apostille since 9 July 2026

The Apostille Convention entered into force for Algeria on 9 July 2026. Spain's Consulate General in Algiers confirmed on 12 July that it had stopped legalising Algerian documents: obtain an apostille from the competent Algerian authorities for use in Spain.

• For school certificates and transcripts, consult your wilaya's Education Directorate or the issuing education authority. The official designation includes all wilaya directorates and the National Office for Examinations and Competitions.
• Check the submission channel and how to provide originals with the competent authority. Paying the stamp duty does not replace the apostille application.
• Do not automatically follow older guides requiring Algeria's Foreign Ministry and Spain's consulate. The apostille authenticates the public signature, not academic equivalence.

Official translation into Spanish

Documents in Arabic or French require an official Spanish translation. Obtain the final documents and apostille first so their endorsements and stamps can also be translated.

• You may use a sworn translator authorised or registered in Spain. Request a quote covering all documents and pages.
• If you choose an official translator in another country, check signature legalisation and the Spanish Ministry's requirements. An ordinary translation is not an official translation.

Spanish and Algerian fees

Calculate application fees, apostilles and translations separately. The total depends on how many certificates you need to prepare.

• Spain: no fee for ESO; the published Bachiller recognition fee is €49.76. Verify the current amount on form 790, fee 079, before paying.
• Algeria: the Finance Act 2026 sets DZD 1,500 per apostille certificate, not per complete application. Pay at an authorised tax or post office and obtain the payment label.
• No single fee has been verified for issuing all academic certificates or for translation. Obtain quotes and add any bank and delivery charges.

Register your application in Spain

Complete the Spanish Ministry's non-university recognition procedure and submit your application and documents through the appropriate registry. Completing an online form and paying do not replace registered submission.

• See the main “ESO and Bachillerato recognition” guide for submission channels from Murcia and tracking. Keep the identification used to open your file.
• Keep your registry receipt, check notifications and supply any additional documents requested. If you need to enrol while waiting, ask about conditional enrolment; it does not guarantee recognition.

Avoid confusing systems and certificates

The table also covers an earlier system with names such as secondary year 5. If your records say 1 AS, 2 AS or another label, identify the exact year with the processing authority; do not equate year numbers merely because they look similar.

• If you studied a foreign education system within Algeria, identify that system in your application. Nationality does not determine the applicable table.
• Check for fee or service changes before travelling. Approval is not guaranteed, and actual processing times vary by application.