We inform you that as of July 1, 2025, the Świętokrzyski Education Superintendent will not be considering the applications for the recognition of qualifications for higher education based on foreign certificates.
According to the Act of April 4, 2025, amending certain laws to eliminate irregularities in the visa system of the Republic of Poland (Dz.U. [Journal of Laws] No. 622), the authority for such recognition will be transferred to the director of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). More information is available on the NAWA website.
As of July 1, 2025, the Świętokrzyski Education Superintendent will continue to consider applications for the recognition of foreign certificates as documents confirming primary, lower secondary, basic vocational, secondary vocational or general secondary education in Poland. However, its competence will not apply to the recognition of eligibility to apply for admission to first degree studies or uniform master’s studies.
We would like to remind you that recognition of a level of education is not necessary in case of:
- certificates and other documents issued by the school or educational institution operating in the educational system of a member state of the European Union, a member state of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), or a member state of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – parties to the agreement on the European Economic Area;
- IB (International Baccalaureate) diploma issued by the International Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva;
- EB diploma (European Baccalaureate) issued by the European Schools in accordance with the Convention on the Statute of the European Schools, drawn up in Luxembourg on 21 June 1994 (Dz.U. [Journal of Laws] of 2005, item 10);
These documents confirm secondary education by operation of law – administrative decision is not issued in this case.
Certificates and other documents issued abroad by schools or educational institutions recognized by the country in the territory of which they operate or in its education system are recognized on the principles provided for in international agreements. These agreements usually provide the basis for the recognition of education or qualifications by operation of law – in this case, no administrative decision is issued.
Persons who do not meet any of the aforementioned conditions apply for recognition of their education or qualifications to continue their studies (excluding entitlement to apply for admission to university) to the relevant educational superintendent.
However, this does not apply in situations where, due to obstacles that are difficult to remove, it is not possible to submit the original or a duplicate of the certificate/other document to the proceedings or to perform the appropriate authentication, and the person concerned:
- obtained refugee status or subsidiary protection, or who holds a temporary residence permit granted in connection with the circumstances referred to in Article 159(1)(1)(c) or (d) of the Act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners (consolidated text: Dz.U. [Journal of Laws] of 2024, item 769, as amended),
- obtained a certificate or other document in a country that has terminated an international agreement with the Republic of Poland regarding the mutual recognition of certificates or other documents issued abroad, or
- has been harmed as a result of armed conflicts, natural disasters, or other humanitarian crises, whether of human or natural origin.
The persons indicated above in a)–c) may apply to the relevant educational superintendent for confirmation in the Republic of Poland of the education obtained abroad or permission to continue education as primary, lower secondary, basic vocational, secondary vocational or general secondary education, or permission to continue education in the Republic of Poland (excluding the entitlement to apply for admission to university).
Recognition or confirmation of education/qualifications is done by the Świetokrzyski Education Superintendent appropriate for the place of residence of the applicant (i.e. Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship) and if there is no such place of residence in the territory of the aforementioned voivodeship (or any other voivodeship in the Republic of Poland) – for the official seat of the institution where the applicant is going to submit the certificate or other document issued abroad.