Workers – Physiotherapists – Spain

Updated : 12/2012

Recognition of professional qualifications

Only if you want to work abroad, not for study purposes.

If you have obtained your professional qualification outside the EU, you should check with the relevant authority whether you must apply for the recognition of your professional qualifications.

Permanent stay
Temporary stay

Documents you must provide [permanent stay]

If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in Spain on a permanent basis, you'll have to submit the following documents:

application form [99 KB] (in Spanish)
certified photocopy of your national ID card or passport
certified photocopy of your academic and professional qualifications
certified photocopy of the official transcript of your study programme, with details of the total course length (academic years) and a description of subjects and lecture hours for each subject (ECTS credits), both theoretical and clinical
certificate of good standing (less than 3 months old), confirming that you're legally entitled to practice as a physiotherapist (you haven't been suspended, disqualified or prohibited from practicing)
certificate from the relevant authority in your home country proving that your title allows you to practice there and meets the conditions laid down in Directive 2005/36/EC Deutsch español Français italiano polski [2 MB]
if physiotherapy is NOT a regulated profession in your home country – or the country where your qualification was issued – proof that you've worked there full-time as a physiotherapist for at least 2 years in the last 10.

All documents must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish.

An official translation is one that has been made by a sworn translator authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You can find here the list of authorised sworn translators español

You can also contact the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country español

If the documents you submit are copies, they must be certified. You can get your documents certified by simply taking them to any public authority in Spain, a Spanish consulate/embassy or a public notary.

Responsible authority [permanent stay]

Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad
Subdirección General de Ordenación Profesional
Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality

Paseo del Prado, 18-20
28071 Madrid
Tel.: +34 91 596 17 73

E-mail: reconocimientoue@msssi.es
Spanish Ministry of Health

When can you expect an answer? [permanent stay]

Once you have sent your documents, and the authorities are satisfied that your application is complete, they have 4 months to take a decision.

You can submit your application:

directly to the registration services in the relevant authority
by mail (by registered post)
to the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country

Cost [permanent stay]

Free of charge.

Documents you must provide [temporary stay]

If you wish to work as a physiotherapist in Spain on a temporary basis, you'll have to submit the following documents:

certified photocopy of your national ID card or passport
certified photocopy of your academic and professional qualifications
certified photocopy of the official transcript of your study programme, with details of the total course length (academic years) and a description of subjects and lecture hours for each subject (ECTS credits), both theoretical and clinical
certificate of good standing (less than 3 months old), confirming that you're legally entitled to practice as a physiotherapist (you haven't been suspended, disqualified or prohibited from practicing)
certificate from the relevant authority in your home country proving that your title allows you to practice there and meets the conditions laid down in Directive 2005/36/EC Deutsch español Français italiano polski [2 MB]
if physiotherapy is NOT a regulated profession in your home country – or country where your qualification was issued – proof that you've worked there full-time as a physiotherapist for at least 2 years in the last 10.

All documents must be accompanied by an official translation into Spanish.

An official translation is one that has been made by a sworn translator authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You can find here the list of authorised sworn translators español.

You can also contact the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country español .

f the documents you submit are copies, they must be certified. You can get your documents certified by simply taking them to any public authority in Spain, a Spanish consulate/embassy or a public notary.

Responsible authority [temporary stay]

Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad
Subdirección General de Ordenación Profesional
Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality

Paseo del Prado, 18-20
28071 Madrid
Tel.: +34 91 596 17 73

E-mail: reconocimientoue@msssi.es
Spanish Ministry of Health

When can you expect an answer? [temporary stay]

Once you have sent your documents, and the authorities are satisfied that your application is complete, they have 1 month to take a decision.

You can submit your application:

directly to the registration services in the relevant authority
by mail (by registered post)
to the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country

Cost [temporary stay]

Free of charge.

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