Recognition of qualifications is one of the Council of Europe’s main activities in the field of higher education and research. 


The Council of Europe and UNESCO form the Secretariat of the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region, more briefly referred to as the ‟Lisbon Recognition Convention” because it was adopted in Lisbon in 1997. This Convention is the main legal instrument on the recognition of qualifications in Europe. It promotes fair recognition of qualifications and, as of 1 July 2025, it counts 57 Contracting Parties. 

The Convention Committees are convened at least every three years. Between sessions the Work Programme is implemented by the Bureau. The current composition of the LRC Bureau is:

  • Mr Allan Bruun Pedersen (Denmark) -  President
  • Ms Jenneke Lokhoff (the Netherlands) - 1st Vice-President
  • Mr Michael Ringuette (Canada) - 2nd Vice-President 
  • Ms Elisa Petrucci (Italy) - Rapporteur

Chart of signatures and ratifications of the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region

The 10th Plenary sesison of the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee  took place on the 22 October at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The documents for the meeting are accessible here. The Committee adopted the new Code of Good Practice in the Provision of Transnational Education. 

The ENIC and NARIC Networks represent a joint, unique community of professionals working in the field of recognition, promoting the implementation of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.  The ENIC-NARIC Charter was revised in 2025. 

 Read more about the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region
Documents adopted by the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee

Code of Good Practice in the Provision of Transnational Education, October 2025

  Joint ENIC/NARIC Charter of Activities and Services, October 2025

  Second monitoring report of the Lisbon Recognition Convention - Final report, 2022

 Recommendation on Recognition of Qualifications Held by Refugees, Displaced Persons and Persons in a Refugee-like Situation, November 2017

 Revised Recommendation on the Recognition of Joint Degrees and Explanatory Memorandum, June 2004, revised February 2016

  Statement of the Committee of the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region on the recognition of the qualifications held by refugees, displaced persons and persons in a refugee-like situation, February 2016

Monitoring the Implementation of the Lisbon Recognition Convention - Final Report, February 2016

  Recommendation on the Use of Qualifications Frameworks in the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, June 2013

Recommendation on Criteria and Procedures for the Assessment of Foreign Qualifications and Explanatory Memorandum, 2001, revised 2010

  The Diploma Supplement, June 2007

Code of Good Practice in the Provision of Transnational Education, 2001

Recommendation on International Access Qualifications, 1999

Documents adopted by the Joint ENIC-NARIC Networks

Code of Good Practice in the Provision of Information on Recognition, June 2004