If you plan to enrol at a university in Serbia, recognition of your high school certificate is a decisive step. It is more than handing in a document: you need a certified translation, legalisation, and an application to the competent official body. This guide explains everything you need to know about high school certificate recognition in Serbia in 2026: the procedure, the costs, the timing and the certified-translation requirements.
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What Is the Serbian Qualifications Agency (ENIC/NARIC Serbia)?
The Qualifications Agency of Serbia (AZK – the ENIC/NARIC Centre) is the body responsible for recognising foreign secondary-school certificates in Serbia. You apply electronically through its website, azk.gov.rs, while universities handle the academic recognition of university degrees.
The Agency analyses the certificate you submit and compares it with the Serbian education structure. It determines whether it is equivalent to a Serbian secondary-school certificate or to its equivalent in the European education system (the Bologna Process).
To have your certificate recognised, you must submit a formal application to the Agency together with all required documents, including a certified translation by a court interpreter in Serbia.
Learn how to translate and legalise documents in Serbia
Steps for High School Certificate Recognition in Serbia 2026
Recognition follows an organised sequence, from preparation to the official decision. Here is the full order of steps:
- Prepare the original documents: obtain the original high school certificate together with a detailed transcript of grades.
- Certified translation by a court interpreter: the certificate and transcript must be translated into Serbian or English by a certified court interpreter in Serbia.
- Legalise the translation: after translation, it must be legalised by a local authority or a Serbian embassy in your country, or through the legalisation procedures in Serbia.
- Submit your application to the Qualifications Agency: fill in the official application form and submit all required documents.
- Pay the fee: RSD 8,900 (about EUR 76) for a high school certificate recognition request, according to the Qualifications Agency’s fee regulation (Official Gazette 83/2024).
- Receive the decision: if your application is approved, you will receive an official recognition decision that you can use when applying to universities.
Processing time varies with the number of applications, the type of certificate and the accuracy of your documents. Start early, especially if you plan to apply for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Recognition Fees and How to Pay
The fee for recognising a high school certificate is RSD 8,900 (about EUR 76) per application, according to the Qualifications Agency’s fee regulation (Official Gazette 83/2024), and it is paid when you submit the application. No additional fees are announced, but check the official website before paying.
You can pay through local banks or online by credit card, provided the card is accepted by the Serbian payment system. Keep a copy of the payment receipt, as you may be asked to attach it at later stages.
Note: fees may change by a new decision of the Qualifications Agency, so check its website before paying.
Find out the cost of studying in Serbia 2026
Certified Translation: When and Where?
One of the most important stages of high school certificate recognition in Serbia is the certified translation. Translations by ordinary translators or by online translation tools are not accepted. The translation must be made by a certified court interpreter in Serbia, known as a “court interpreter” translation.
Choose translators with experience in educational documents, because they understand the requirements of the Serbian Qualifications Agency.
After the translation is completed, it must be legalised by an official body, such as a court or a Serbian embassy in your country, or through the legalisation procedures in Serbia.
If you do not live in Serbia, you can hire a certified translation agency in your country to submit the documents to a Serbian embassy, or use an online translation and legalisation service, provided it is accepted by the Serbian Qualifications Agency.
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Documents Required for Certificate Recognition
To make sure your application is accepted, prepare all of the following documents before applying to the Serbian Qualifications Agency:
- The original high school certificate.
- The original transcript of grades, with details of subjects and marks.
- A certified translation of the certificate and transcript into Serbian or English.
- A legalisation certificate for the translation, from a court interpreter or an official body.
- The certificate recognition application form (available on the official website).
- A copy of your passport (to confirm your identity).
- Proof of fee payment (RSD 8,900)
Make a digital copy of every document and store it safely, as some universities may ask for them later.
Can I apply to universities before the certificate recognition is finished?
Policies differ. Some universities accept a preliminary application on condition that the Qualifications Agency’s recognition decision is submitted before final enrolment, as the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad does, for example.
Some universities accept applications on condition that you complete recognition within a set period after provisional admission. Check the policy of the university you want to attend, as it may differ.
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Legal Advice and Support for International Students
If you come from Egypt, Iraq or any other country, recognition of your certificate may differ slightly depending on your home education system. Support is available through guidance centres in Serbia and through online platforms that offer free advice.
If you are from Egypt, see our guide for Egyptian students in Serbia. If you are from Iraq, you will find specific information in our guide for Iraqi students in Serbia.
These resources help you understand differences between education systems and work out whether your certificate is equivalent to the Serbian secondary-school certificate.
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How the Qualifications Agency Handles Recognition
Recognition of a foreign school certificate is the procedure by which a qualification obtained abroad is equated with the corresponding public document of the Republic of Serbia. It gives you the right to continue your education or to work. The procedure is carried out by the ENIC/NARIC Centre, an organisational unit of the Qualifications Agency, under the Law on the National Qualifications Framework, unless an international agreement provides otherwise. The Ministry of Education keeps the records of foreign institutions. source
Where to apply and what to read first
- The Agency’s ENIC/NARIC page offers an electronic application, an application form and a separate set of instructions for foreign secondary-school documents. Read the instructions before you start the electronic application. source
- A foreign citizen can have a foreign school certificate recognised if there is a legal interest, for example to continue education in Serbia. source
- The procedure can apply to a complete education or to specific grades completed abroad. source
- Contact details published by the Agency: agencija@azk.gov.rs and +381 11 7455 728. source
Do not confuse this with professional recognition of a foreign higher education diploma for employment. For that separate procedure the Agency states an expected deadline of 60 days from receipt of a duly completed request. For secondary-school certificates, follow the timing and instructions published by the Agency. source
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have my certificate recognised from my home country without going to Serbia?
Yes, a high school certificate can be recognised from your home country, as long as the translation is made by a certified court interpreter in Serbia and legalised through a Serbian embassy or an official body. You do not need to be in Serbia in person, but the documents must be sent by post or through a trusted agency.
How long does certificate recognition take?
Start the procedure 3-4 months before your university application deadline.
Are translations from tools like Google Translate accepted?
No. Machine translations or translations from online tools are not accepted. The translation must be made by a certified court interpreter in Serbia and officially legalised.
What is the difference between a certified translation and legalisation?
A certified translation is an official translation by a court interpreter, while legalisation proves the translation is authentic through an official body such as a court or embassy. Both procedures are required for your application to be accepted.
Can I apply for a scholarship with an unrecognised certificate?
Scholarship documents depend on each official call; check the call’s conditions (prosveta.gov.rs) for certificate documents. Most scholarships require a recognition document as part of the basic documents.
Next Step: Apply to a University After Certificate Recognition
Once you receive the recognition decision from the Serbian Qualifications Agency, you can start applying to universities in Serbia. Review each university’s admission requirements, including language requirements, the enrolment system and application deadlines.
If you plan to study in Serbia, start your student visa procedure right after admission, because some universities require the recognition certificate as part of the visa file.
For detailed information on the student visa, read our guide to the student visa in Serbia.
High school certificate recognition in Serbia in 2026 is more than an administrative procedure: it is the key to higher education in one of the most stable and affordable countries in Europe. By following the steps carefully, using a certified court interpreter and submitting the required documents, you can reach this goal with confidence.
If you want support at every step, from translation to university application, contact our experts for a free consultation. Your education journey in Serbia starts here.
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Disclaimer: this is a composite illustrative story based on real procedures and costs, not the story of one particular person.
Qualifications Agency of Serbia (recognition of qualifications)
Bologna Process — Wikipedia (in Arabic)
Official Sources
- Qualifications Agency of Serbia (recognition of qualifications)
- Bologna Process — Wikipedia (in Arabic)