The Declaration of Value

If you are considering studying or working in Italy with a degree, then you should know you must validate it in order use it as a valid certificate. This is when you should apply for a Declaration of Value (DOV).

Table of contents

1. What is the declaration of value?
2. Where can you obtain it?
3. In what cases you need a declaration of value?
4. What information does it hold?
5. Declaration of value: form
6. Regulatory framework
7. Support from A&P
8. Book a call
9. Get a quote

1. What is the declaration of value?

The Declaration of Value is a document which attests that a degree earned in an educational system other than the Italian one, is valid on the Italian territory. It is written in Italian.

Educational or professional degrees earned abroad are not automatically recognized in Italy, meaning that they have no legal value. Therefore, the Declaration of Value has the sole purpose of describing the value acquired by the degree in the country of origin.

If the country where the title was issued has signed the Hague Convention (Oct. 5, 1961), the so-called Hague Apostille will need to be affixed to the title before applying for the Declaration of Value.

2. Where can you obtain a declaration of value?

The Italian Diplomatic Representations abroad are the ones that issue the declaration of value, like an Italian embassy or consulate competent by area, that is, those 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.

3. In what cases do you need a declaration of value?

You can submit the application to the competent Italian authorities for the following purposes:

• Enrollment at universities, or pursuit of postgraduate studies (master’s degree, doctorate, etc.);
• Spending the degrees in dealings with public administrations;
• Exercise of regulated professions.

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 Ministry of Education, University and Research for academic equivalency of foreign doctorates (Ph.D.);
• The various Ministries regarding professional recognition (for the purpose of practicing regulated professions).

The DOV is not required if you obtained the title within an EU country. However, in this case you should obtain a Diploma Supplement.

Please consider that the Italian Council of State has also pronounced itself on the matter (judgment no. 4613 of 4/9/07), noting that:

[…] with regard to qualifications obtained within the E.U., the Declaration of Value cannot be recognized as playing a decisive and discriminating role. In fact, the public administration must justify its decisions with regard to the educational content of the diploma. It has to do so not simply in relation to extrinsic aspects with respect to the professional skills and abilities attested by the qualification, as formally is the Declaration of Value, but on the basis of a substantial assessment, through the use (to be evaluated case by case by the person in charge of the procedure) of all the investigative tools normally available […].

4. What information does it hold?

The Declaration of Value includes the following details:

• Surname, first name, date and place of birth of the holder;
• Institution that issued the title;
• Date of issue of the title;
• Registration number;
• Educational institution in which you completed or attended the courses;
• Field, specialization, faculty;
• Length of the course of study;
• Overall final examination average;
• Grade system in force;
• Qualifying profession following the conclusion of the studies;
• Brief descriptions of the national education system in accordance with the Teaching Law of July 24, 1995 No. 84.

5. Declaration of value: form

Here you can find an example of a declaration of value form. Keep in mind that it is only an example, the form that the institution you apply from uses, may be different.