Academic recognition goes through NAWA; professional registration goes through the professional chamber — they are completely separate.
Overview
Poland divides foreign qualification recognition into two distinct tracks: academic recognition and professional recognition. Academic recognition — confirming that a foreign degree is equivalent to a Polish one for educational or employment purposes — is handled by NAWA (National Agency for Academic Exchange), which took over from the Ministry of Science in February 2018. For regulated professions, recognition goes to the relevant sectoral regulator: doctors and dentists apply to the Supreme Medical Chamber (Naczelna Izba Lekarska), nurses and midwives to the Supreme Nursing and Midwifery Chamber (Naczelna Izba Pielęgniarek i Położnych), architects to the Chamber of Architects (IARP), and so on. EU/EEA professionals benefit from the general system of recognition under Directive 2005/36/EC transposed into Polish law. Non-EU qualifications from countries without bilateral agreements typically require the full nostrification procedure at a Polish university. Verified against nawa.gov.pl, gov.pl/biznes, and naczelna-izba-lekarska.pl as of June 2026.
Academic Recognition — NAWA Routes
| Route | Who Uses It | Outcome | NAWA Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic recognition (international agreement) | Degrees from countries with bilateral equivalency agreements with Poland | Recognised as Polish equivalent without procedure | KWALIFIKATOR database check |
| NAWA recognition statement | Most foreign higher education degrees; for employment or further study | Statement confirming level and equivalency; typically 30 days | Apply at nawa.gov.pl |
| Nostrification (nostryfikacja) | Degrees that cannot be automatically recognised; requires assessment by a Polish university | Formal equivalency decision by a Polish university with A+/A/B+ research category | Application to appropriate Polish university |
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See Paid Plans →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to get my foreign degree recognised (nostrified) to work in Poland?
For most non-regulated professions, no. Employers in Poland can assess foreign qualifications directly without any formal recognition procedure. NAWA recognition is useful when applying for further education at a Polish university or when a specific employer or public authority requires a formal equivalency statement. Nostrification — the full equivalency procedure conducted by a Polish university — is only needed for degrees that cannot be automatically recognised under an international agreement and where automatic recognition is required (e.g., to practice a regulated profession or enter a Polish PhD programme).
What is the NAWA KWALIFIKATOR and how does it help me?
KWALIFIKATOR is a free online database maintained by NAWA that lets you check how selected foreign higher education degrees are assessed in Poland. It shows you the level of the qualification in the issuing country, whether it falls under an automatic recognition agreement, and what the Polish equivalent is. It is the recommended first step before deciding whether to apply for a formal NAWA recognition statement or nostrification. Access it at nawa.gov.pl/en/recognition/system-kwalifikator. Not all qualifications and countries are covered; for those not in the database, contact NAWA directly.
I am a doctor from outside the EU — how do I get my medical qualification recognised in Poland?
Non-EU doctors must apply to the Supreme Medical Chamber (Naczelna Izba Lekarska, NIL) for recognition of their medical qualification. The recognition process may include an assessment of whether your degree is equivalent to a Polish medical degree, an aptitude test or adaptation period, and a Polish language proficiency requirement — since medical practice in Poland requires sufficient Polish. The EU automatic recognition system (Directive 2005/36/EC) applies only to EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Non-EU doctors should contact NIL directly (nil.org.pl) for current procedural requirements, as they go beyond NAWA's scope.
Do I need to be licensed as an engineer in Poland?
For most engineering disciplines, no. Poland does not have a general mandatory licensing body for engineers. Engineers working in industry, manufacturing, IT or most commercial fields can practise without formal qualification recognition or registration. The main exception is the construction sector: persons managing construction works and signing technical documentation on building projects must hold construction qualifications regulated under the Polish Construction Law — these are administered by regional chambers of engineers in construction (PIIB). If your role involves supervising or certifying construction works, check PIIB requirements.
How long does a NAWA recognition statement take and what does it cost?
A NAWA recognition statement for academic purposes is typically issued within 30 days of NAWA receiving a complete application. The fee schedule is published on nawa.gov.pl — as of 2026, fees apply and vary by service type. The statement is not the same as nostrification: it is an assessment of equivalency level for employment or study purposes and does not require a university to conduct the evaluation. For regulated professions, NAWA recognition alone is not sufficient — the sectoral chamber recognition process must be completed separately.
Is an EU Blue Card qualification assessed by NAWA?
The EU Blue Card does not require NAWA recognition as a separate formal step. The voivodeship office assesses whether the applicant's foreign qualification meets the 'higher education degree' or '5 years of professional experience' threshold for Blue Card eligibility as part of the permit application review. In practice, providing a NAWA recognition statement or KWALIFIKATOR printout alongside your application can strengthen the evidential basis that your degree meets the threshold, but NAWA recognition is not a prerequisite. Check mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl for the document checklist for Blue Card applications.