9th Grade Foreign Residents In Portugal

Portugal offers a unique opportunity for foreign residents aged 18 and above to obtain an official 12th-grade (secondary school) diploma within 3 to 12 months.

Even if they have only completed education up to the 9th grade, this accelerated educational pathway is part of the national strategy to promote lifelong learning and professional qualification, as outlined in Decree-Law No. 55/2018. ​Diario da Republica.pt

Growing Labor Demand in Portugal

This initiative is designed to support immigrants in upgrading their skills and integrating into the Portuguese labour market. The diploma obtained through this program is officially recognized and equates to Portugal’s standard secondary education certificate. It is valid for university admissions and job applications nationally and across the European Union.​

To mitigate these challenges, the Portuguese government is adopting a more flexible and inclusive approach to immigration, focusing on streamlining the process for foreign workers to enter the country and fill these critical gaps.

Allowing adult learners to combine prior learning and work experience with formal education.

The program emphasizes flexibility and inclusivity, allowing adult learners to combine prior learning and work experience with formal education. This approach not only accelerates the certification process but also acknowledges the diverse backgrounds of adult learners.​

For more information and to apply, interested individuals should consult the official government portal: Diário da República – Decree-Law No. 55/2018.​Diario da Republica.pt

1. Eligibility: Foreign residents aged 18 and above with education up to the 9th grade.
2. Duration: 3 to 12 months, depending on individual learning pace and prior experience.​
3. Recognition: Official Portuguese 12th-grade diploma, valid for further education and employment.​
4. Benefits: Enhanced employment opportunities, access to higher education, and improved integration into Portuguese society.

According to Portuguese Education Law

This program represents a significant step towards empowering immigrants through education, facilitating their personal and professional development in Portugal.

• Legal Reference::
  • Decreto-Lei n.º 55/2018 and Portaria n.º 181/2019, Portugal offers a special education and skill upgrade program designed for adults and immigrants (18 years & above) who want to improve their qualifications for better job opportunities and university admissions.
  • This program is known as:
  • → Processo de Reconhecimento, Validação e Certificação de Competências (RVCC)
  • or
  • → Qualifica Program under the National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education (ANQEP).
• Who Can Apply?:
  • Immigrants living legally in Portugal
  • Minimum age: 18 years
  • Minimum education: 9th grade completed from any country
  • Those who want to complete their 12th-grade diploma officially in Portugal
• Objective of the Program:
  • This program aims to promote lifelong learning and professional qualification for adults (especially immigrants and foreign residents), enabling them to complete their Secondary Education (12th Grade Certification) officially recognized in Portugal and European Union member countries.

This Diploma Certificate holds full legal equivalency for higher education admission, professional courses, technical training, and job applications in Portugal and Europe.

This qualification is also helpful for residence permit renewals, citizenship applications, and professional license requirements.

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Duration of the Program:

The duration of the process varies from 3 months to 12 months depending on:

• Prior academic learning
• Work experience
• Skills assessment
• Candidate availability and effort

This program is known as the Processo de Reconhecimento, Validação e Certificação de Competências (RVCC) — Recognition, Validation, and Certification of Competences.

Benefits of Obtaining the 12th Grade Diploma in Portugal:

Welcoming foreign workers through these initiatives offers several advantages for Portugal, including:

✔Official Secondary School Diploma (Certificado de Equivalência ao 12º Ano)
✔ Legally recognized by the Portuguese Government
✔ Valid for University Admission in Portugal and EU Countries
✔ Eligible for Employment in Portugal and the EU Job Market
✔ Recognition of Work Experience and Skills
✔ Qualification Upgrade within Short Duration
✔ Enhancement of Social and Professional Integration