The recognition of acquired educational and scientific degree "doctor" and scientific degree "doctor of sciences" is a right of Bulgarian citizens, foreign citizens and foreigners with international protection provided who have studied in higher education institutions/scientific organizations established and operating in accordance with the national legislation in the country where the higher education was acquired.
The recognition of scientific degrees, corresponding to the educational and scientific degree "doctor" and scientific degree "doctor of sciences" acquired in foreign higher education institutions/scientific organizations, is the official written confirmation of the value of the awarded scientific degree or other similar document issued by an educational/scientific institution recognized by a competent state authority as part of the system of secular higher education of the country concerned.
The recognition procedure is intended to qualification holders who had graduated abroad and wish to continue their education or work in Bulgaria.
The National Center for Information and Documentation provides information on inquiries from citizens and institutions about the academic status of foreign higher education institutions and research organizations and the legitimacy of diplomas issued by them, the level and nature of different educational and scientific degrees and other topical issues.
The electronic services portal and the unified information system facilitate the submission of documents and the follow-up of the procedure online.
Section 1. WHICH DOCUMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO RECOGNITION?
The degree obtained abroad, corresponding to the educational and scientific degree “Doctor” or to the scientific degree “Doctor of Sciences”, is certified by a diploma or other similar document issued by an educational or scientific institution, recognized by a competent national authority as part of the system of secular higher education and the research activities of the country concerned.
The Recognition of a degree obtained abroad, corresponding to the educational and scientific degree “Doctor” and the scientific degree “Doctor of Sciences”, is refused when substantial differences are found between the data from the submitted documents and the state requirements for obtaining the educational and scientific degree “Doctor” and the scientific degree “Doctor of Sciences” in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Section 2. WHO MAKES THE RECOGNITION?
The recognition of a degree obtained in a foreign higher education institution or scientific organization, corresponding to the educational and scientific degree "Doctor" or the scientific degree "Doctor of Sciences", is carried out by different competent authorities depending on the purposes of recognition.
The common regulatory framework for all recognition authorities is the Law on the Development of Academic Staff in the Republic of Bulgaria /LAS/ and the Ordinance on the state requirements for recognition of acquired higher education and completed periods of education in foreign higher education institutions, while the specific administrative procedures are subject to internal regulations of the individual recognition authorities.
This section describes the procedure for recognition of the cited degrees in NACID according to the LAS, Ordinance, and the Internal Regulation of NACID.
2.1. I wish to occupy an academic position, sign a contract as a post-doctoral fellow in Bulgaria or get access to further education or training/ to improve my skills.
If you wish to occupy an academic position, sign a contract as a post-doctoral fellow, or gain access to further education or training with your foreign degree, corresponding to the educational and scientific degree "Doctor" or the scientific degree "Doctor of Sciences", you should submit your application for recognition at the higher education institution or scientific organization of your choice. In these cases, the competent authority for the recognition of your foreign degree is the rector of the accredited Bulgarian higher education institution or the head of the respective scientific organization selected by you, as a condition for your appointment, employment or enrollment there.
The specific conditions and procedure for recognition of scientific degrees for the purpose of occupying academic or post-doctoral positions shall be determined by the respective internal regulations of the higher education institution and the scientific organizations in compliance with the national educational requirements.
2.2. I wish to work in Bulgaria in a position other than the above mentioned, or to receive recognition for other purposes.
In case you wish to work in Bulgaria in a position different from those described in section 2.1. with your foreign degree, corresponding to the educational and scientific degree "Doctor" or the scientific degree "Doctor of Sciences", you have direct access to the labor market with your diploma and you can apply directly to the employer of your choice. You can contact NACID in case the potential employer or other Bulgarian authority explicitly requires from you a certificate issued by our center.
The certificate of recognized higher scientific degree is an official written confirmation of the value of your foreign degree in Bulgaria. It is intended to facilitate your access to the labor market, rather than to permit it.
CONTINUE to STAGE 3 from the right-hand side of the menu.
NACID has the competence to recognize scientific degrees for any purpose other than those specified in Section 2.1.
The certificate issued by NACID does not provide access to academic and postdoctoral positions, or to advanced training.
Section 4. WHAT SET OF DOCUMENTS SHOULD I PRESENT TO NACID?
Citizens seeking recognition of foreign diploma for scientific degree corresponding to the educational and scientific degree "Doctor" or the scientific degree "Doctor of Sciences", acquired in foreign higher education institutions or scientific organization need to submit the following documents:
Filled in Application Form indicating citizenship, date and place of birth (in paper and electronic form).
Application form for Educational and scientific degree „Doctor”
Application form for Scientific degree „Doctor of Sciences”
- Original and copy of the diploma for a scientific degree or other similar document, issued by an educational institution or scientific organization recognized by a competent national authority as part of the secular system of higher education and scientific research of the country concerned . The diploma must be accompanied by a translation into Bulgarian from the so-called "sworn translator". See section 3. from the right menu
- Dissertation and abstract (on paper and electronic media), in case the award of the degree requires such in the home country.
- Other documents relevant to the recognition, if any (eg. diploma supplement). They should be accompanied by a translation into Bulgarian from the so-called "sworn translator". See section 3. from the right menu.
- Document certifying the change in the names of the applicant, if the person is a foreign citizen.
The document certifying the change in the names of the applicant under item 5 of the set of documents submitted in a foreign language must be accompanied by a translation into Bulgarian.
The documents under item 3 (dissertation and abstract on paper and electronic media) are attached in the original language and after the recognition procedure are handed over ex officio and remain for storage in the Scientific-Technical and Pedagogical Library of NACID for the purposes of entry in the Register for the academic staff and the defended dissertations. The cited register has public access and lists ex officio the persons, who have acquired scientific degrees abroad, after being recognized in accordance with the legislation.
Upon submitting the application in person, the applicant presents an identity document for data verification. In cases where the application is submitted by an authorized person, he/she shall submit a power of attorney from the applicant.
When submitting the documents electronically, scanned copies of the required documents, signed with an electronic signature, shall be attached to the application.
The certification of a change in the names of an applicant - a Bulgarian citizen, is performed ex officio by the competent recognition authority through verification in the National Database “Population”, maintained by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. If there is an objective impossibility to certify and verify the relevant facts and circumstances ex officio, the recognition authority may request information and/ or documents for their certification from the applicant, who is obliged to present them.
Within 14 days after the verification of the documents, the originals under item 2 may be received back by the applicants or their representatives.
NACID may also require additional documents which are relevant for the recognition sought. They must be submitted within the specified time (usually two months) from the date of receipt of the notice.
Some foreign higher education institutions explicitly require your consent for NACID’s verification requests. In such cases, your assistance is obligatory. Our experts at the Center for Administrative Services (CAO) will advise you when submitting the application.
The recognition procedure of the educational and scientific degree "Doctor" and the scientific degree "Doctor of Sciences" in NACID does not revoke the requirement for its recognition by a higher education institution or scientific organization, in case you seek access to further education or training, to sign a contract as a postdoctoral fellow and for occupying academic positions (for reference, Article 5 of the Law on the Development of Academic Staff in the Republic of Bulgaria). Our recognition is intended for any purpose other than occupying scientific/postdoctoral positions, and the legally binding decision for recognition of the higher education institution/ scientific organization is the legal basis for your possible appointment, employing there at the cited scientific /postdoctoral positions.
In case you want access to further education or training, for signing contract as a postdoctoral fellow and for occupying academic positions (for reference, Article 5 of the Law on the Development of Academic Staff in the Republic of Bulgaria, you should apply for recognition to the relevant higher education institution and/or scientific organization in Bulgaria chosen by you, enclosing the above-cited documents. The specific conditions and procedure for recognition of scientific degrees for the purpose of holding academic or postdoctoral positions are determined by the relevant regulations of higher education institutions and research organizations in compliance with state requirements.
Section 5. HOW CAN I SUBMIT MY DOCUMENTS?
Recognition documents can be submitted by individuals or legal entities in three ways:
5.1. Submission of the application in person at the Center for Administrative Services (CAO) of NACID with an identity document
It is necessary to present an original identity document for verification of the data from the ID card or another national identity document (for foreign citizens). The original is returned immediately after comparing the data.
5.2. Submission of the application, through an authorized person in the Center for Administrative Services (CAO) of NACID
In cases where the persons are parents, children or spouse of the applicant, they can certify their status as legal representatives with a document certifying their civil status (birth certificate, certificate of family relationship).
Lawyers can certify their status as representatives with a power of attorney or a written power of attorney from citizens, for which no notary certification is required.
When the representatives are organizations (within the meaning of § 1, item 2 of the Administrative Procedure Code), the citizens are represented by a written power of attorney with a notary certification of the signature. When submitting an application, organizations are represented by:
- Representatives by law (with a copy of the certificate of current status);
- person authorized by a legal representative, with a written power of attorney with a notary certification of the signature (with a copy of a certificate of good standing).
If the name on the diploma is different from the name on the identity document, a document certifying the identity of the names must also be attached.
The power of attorney is valid only in original.
Upon re-authorization, the power of attorney's authorization must explicitly state "TO RE-AUTHORIZE" or similar text.
5.3. Submission of the application electronically
Only applications accompanied by all the necessary documents are accepted for recognition.
Section 7. HOW MUCH TIME WILL THE WHOLE PROCEDURE TAKE/LAST?
The normative period for processing the application and making a recognition decision is up to 2 months from the date of submission of all necessary documents.
In cases where no additional documents are required, the period is about one month.
In cases where there are vague circumstances, additional information and/or documents are required from the applicant. They must be submitted within the set deadline (usually two months) from the date of notification.
If necessary, a request for additional verification and information may be sent to the higher education institution/scientific organization which had issued the diploma or to the competent authorities of the country of origin of the degree.
Some foreign higher education institutions/research organizations explicitly require your consent for NACID’s verifications. In such cases, your assistance is obligatory. Our experts at the Center for Administrative Services (CAO) will advise you when submitting the application.
Section Contact information about Academic Recognition - educational and scientific degree "doctor" and scientific degree "doctor of sciences"
Section Contact information
Address NACID, Front Office
50, Dr. G.M. Dimitrov Blvd.
1125 Sofia, Bulgaria
phone (+359 2) 817 38 31
(+359 2) 817 38 36
(+359 2) 817 38 49
mobile (+359) 0700 44 849 (info-centre)
A telephone call – at the cost of an inner-city call from anywhere in the country.
Mobile phone call – at the standard tariff of the respective mobile operator.
Business hours Each working day from 08:00 until 18:30.
e-mail: naric@nacid.bg