UNED will manage foreign degree homologation exams: what changes in 2026

Key data

Thousands of foreign university degree holders who want to practice their profession in Spain will be directly affected by this operational change. The Resolution of October 26, 2026 from the General Secretariat of Universities formalizes a management assignment with UNED so that this university technically coordinates the written aptitude exams that are part of the homologation process regulated in the Royal Decree 889/2022, of October 18.

The reason is clear: the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities does not have its own technical or IT resources to coordinate these tests. UNED, with its distance education infrastructure and consolidated electronic platform, assumes that function temporarily and without implying any transfer of competencies.

What does this regulation establish?

The Royal Decree 889/2022 regulates the procedure for homologating foreign university degrees in Spain. Within that process, some applicants must meet complementary training requirements, which can materialize in a written aptitude exam.

Until now, the technical coordination of these tests fell to the Ministry itself, which lacked the necessary infrastructure to manage them with guarantees. The resolution published on November 3, 2026 resolves this gap through a management assignment to UNED, which includes:

• The provision of the UNED electronic platform so that other Spanish universities can conduct the exams.
• The performance of technical and material actions related to written aptitude exams.
• Coordination with Spanish universities participating in conducting these tests.

It is important to emphasize what this assignment does not imply: there is no transfer of competencies. The General Secretariat of Universities maintains ownership of the homologation procedure. UNED acts as technical support, not as a decision-making body.

Economic and operational impact

This change does not generate new fees or direct costs for homologation applicants derived from the assignment itself. However, it has relevant operational consequences for two groups:

• Foreign degree holders in the homologation process: The technical channel through which they access aptitude exams changes. They must operate through UNED's electronic platform, which may modify deadlines, registration procedures, and test dynamics. Any delay in system adaptation may affect the resolution times of their cases.
• Spanish universities conducting these tests: They are required to integrate their processes with UNED's platform. This represents an internal operational change they must manage with their technical and academic administration services.

Since the agreement is temporary in nature, there is uncertainty about its duration and whether the technical solution will be consolidated or evolve. Universities and applicants must remain alert to possible framework updates.

Who does it affect?

• Foreign university degree holders who have requested or will request homologation of their degree in Spain and must pass a written aptitude exam as a complementary training requirement.
• Spanish universities designated to conduct aptitude exams under RD 889/2022, which must use UNED's electronic platform.
• Human resources departments and labor advisors of companies that hire or plan to hire professionals with foreign university degrees, as homologation timelines may be affected by the technical transition.
• Professional associations that require homologation as a prerequisite for practicing the profession in Spain.

Practical example

A healthcare company plans to hire a physician graduated from a Latin American university. To practice in Spain, this professional needs to homologate their university degree. The process, regulated by RD 889/2022, may require them to pass a written aptitude exam as a complementary training requirement.

From November 3, 2026, this exam is no longer coordinated directly by the Ministry, but through the UNED electronic platform. The Spanish university assigned to conduct the test must operate in that technological environment. If the company needs that professional to be operational by a specific date, it must take into account that the timelines of the homologation process may be affected during the technical transition phase to the new system.

What should those affected do now?

1. Foreign degree holders with an open homologation case: Contact the General Secretariat of Universities or the Spanish university assigned to your case to confirm whether the aptitude exam will already be conducted through UNED's platform and what the new registration timelines and procedures are.
2. Spanish universities conducting aptitude tests: Review with your technical services the integration with UNED's electronic platform. Ensure that administrative staff understands the new operational flow before the next test convocation.
3. Companies hiring professionals with foreign degrees: Anticipate possible delays in homologation processes during the technical transition phase. If you have planned hires that depend on homologation, review timelines with sufficient margin.
4. Professional associations: Inform your foreign members or candidates in the homologation process about this operational change so they can properly manage their cases.
5. All affected parties: Consult the complete resolution published in the BOE and remain alert to specific instructions that the General Secretariat of Universities publishes regarding the operation of UNED's platform.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is purely informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-23094