If you plan to use a foreign qualification in Italy for study or work, check which documents the receiving institution or authority requires. Depending on the procedure, you may need a Declaration of Value or other supporting documentation.
What is the declaration of value for Italy?
A Declaration of Value (DoV) is an information document issued in Italian by the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the area where the qualification was awarded. It describes the qualification and its status in the education system of the issuing country. It does not itself recognise the qualification or establish its equivalence to an Italian qualification.
For more information, take a look at our guide on the Italian education system.
In what cases do you need a declaration of value?
You might need to obtain a declaration of value for the following purposes:
- Enrollment at universities, or pursuit of postgraduate studies (master’s degree, doctorate, etc.);
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Using a foreign qualification in procedures involving Italian public authorities, where supporting documentation is required;
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Applying for an EU Blue Card on the basis of a higher-education qualification, where the DoV is submitted as supporting documentation; a CIMEA statement of comparability and authenticity may be used instead.
Blue Card work permit.
Here are some examples of competent Italian authorities, and reasons you might need a DOV:
- Educational institutions (in cases in which you still have to complete compulsory school studies);
- Territorial Departments (formerly Provincial Education Offices) for pre-university level degrees;
- Universities, in order to obtain the equivalence of foreign degrees;
- The competent Italian university or the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), depending on the recognition procedure;
- The various Ministries regarding professional recognition (for the purpose of practicing regulated professions);
- The Single Desk for Immigration (Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione), for EU Blue Card applications based on higher-education qualifications, for which the joint circular of 28 March 2024 permits a CIMEA statement of comparability and authenticity as an alternative to the DoV.
Can I apply for an Italian visa without the Declaration of Value?
Whether a Declaration of Value is required depends on the procedure and on the qualification used to support the application. For EU Blue Card applications based on higher-education qualifications, the joint circular of 28 March 2024 permits a CIMEA statement of comparability and authenticity as an alternative to the DoV.
For study applications, check the requirements of the chosen institution and the competent Italian embassy or consulate. Do not assume that every qualification awarded in an EU country is automatically exempt from documentation requirements.
How to get a declaration of value for Italy?
The Italian Diplomatic Representations abroad are the authorities responsible for releasing a declaration of value. In details, the application must be submitted at the Italian embassy or consulate competent for the area that is the closest to the city where the institution that issued the foreign title is located.
Here you can find a list of all the Italian embassies and consulates in the world.
What are the documents required for the Italian Declaration of Value?
To get the declaration of value, you must therefore first of all get in touch with the Italian diplomatic representation competent for the region where your degree was released. The Italian diplomatic representation will usually advise you on the needed documents and grant you an appointment to hand over your documents.
Follow the document checklist of the competent Italian embassy or consulate. Requirements for originals or certified copies, translation, legalisation or apostille depend on the document and the procedure; applicable exemptions must also be considered. If the DoV is requested for work purposes, check which evidence of its intended use the consulate requires.
What is the timeframe for obtaining my Declaration of Value, and what should I do if this is delayed?
The processing time highly depends on the workload of the diplomatic representation. The possibility to expedite the process ultimately relies on the availability of the diplomatic officer.
For admission to Italian higher-education courses, the receiving institution assesses foreign qualifications and specifies the supporting documents it requires. Before requesting a DoV or CIMEA documentation, check the institution’s published requirements. Applicants who need pre-enrolment for a study visa must submit it through the official Universitaly portal.
What information does it hold?
The Declaration of Value contains information concerning:
- the nature and level of the institution that issued the qualification
- the official duration of the study program
- the requirements for admission to the course
- any grade obtained, compared with the grading system of the country of origin
- the value of the qualification in the country where it was obtained for the purpose of continuing studies
- any relevance of the qualification for access to, or practice of, a profession
- any additional element considered useful for its assessment in Italy
Declaration of value: form
An example of a Declaration of Value application form is available from the Italian Consulate General in Paris. This is an example only: use the form and document checklist published by the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the area where your qualification was awarded.