Are you an SLP considering to relocate to a new country? Moving to Portugal!

In Portugal, the profession of Speech and Language Therapy (Terapia da Fala) is regulated, and foreign-trained professionals must have their qualifications recognized to practice legally. The recognition process is overseen by the Directorate-General for Higher Education (Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior – DGES).

Regulatory Body/Organization: Directorate-General for Higher Education (Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior – DGES)

Website: DGES – Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

Requirements for Foreign-Trained Speech and Language Therapists:

1. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications:
   • Foreign higher education degrees or diplomas must be recognized in Portugal to ensure they are comparable in level, objectives, and nature to Portuguese degrees. The recognition process is regulated by Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16.

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2. Types of Recognition:
   • Automatic Recognition: Applicable to foreign degrees that are of a level, objectives, and nature identical to Portuguese degrees of licenciado (bachelor’s), mestre (master’s), and doutor (doctorate). Eligible degrees are listed by the Commission for the Recognition of Foreign Degrees and Diplomas.
   • Level Recognition: A case-by-case recognition by comparison, determining if a foreign degree corresponds to a Portuguese degree in level.
   • Specific Recognition: A case-by-case recognition by comparison, determining if a foreign degree corresponds to a specific Portuguese degree in a particular field or specialty.
3. Application Process:
   • Submission: Applications can be submitted through the DGES online platform or directly at a Portuguese higher education institution that offers a degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
   • Required Documents:
     • Certified copy of the diploma or certificate.
     • Academic transcripts detailing courses taken, hours, and grades.
     • Course syllabus or description of course content.
     • Proof of identity (e.g., passport).
     • Proof of language proficiency in Portuguese, typically at a B2 level or higher.
   • Translation and Legalization:
     • Documents not in Portuguese, Spanish, French, or English must be accompanied by an official translation into Portuguese.
     • Documents issued by non-EU countries must be legalized, either through a Portuguese consular authority or by the Apostille of The Hague.
4. Assessment:
   • The competent authority will assess the equivalence of the foreign qualification to the corresponding Portuguese degree. If substantial differences are identified, the applicant may be required to undertake compensatory measures, such as additional training or examinations.
5. Professional Registration:
   • Upon successful recognition of the qualification, practitioners must register with the relevant professional association in Portugal to legally practice as a Speech and Language Therapist.

Additional Considerations:

• Processing Time:
  • The processing time varies depending on the type of recognition applied for:
    • Automatic Recognition: 30 working days.
    • Level and Specific Recognition: 90 working days.
• Fees:
  • Fees vary based on the type of recognition and the institution processing the application. Applicants should consult the specific institution or DGES for detailed information.

For comprehensive and up-to-date information, it is recommended to consult the official website of the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES) and the Portuguese Association of Speech Therapists (Associação Portuguesa de Terapeutas da Fala).

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