How are Bulgarian diplomas recognized for work in Malta

Malta has become one of the preferred destinations for Bulgarian citizens seeking professional opportunities abroad. Its attractive climate, high quality of life, proximity to Bulgaria and wide range of opportunities in sectors such as tourism, education, healthcare, IT and engineering make the country appealing to both young specialists and experienced professionals.

In order for a Bulgarian citizen to practise their profession in Malta, diplomas and qualifications obtained in Bulgaria must be officially recognised. This step is mandatory, especially for regulated professions – doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, pharmacists and others. Without the recognition of the diploma, it is impossible to start work in the chosen field, regardless of experience or skills.

1. What Does Recognition of Diplomas and Qualifications Mean?

The recognition of diplomas and qualifications is an official administrative process through which educational documents issued in Bulgaria are accepted as valid and applicable in Malta. It ensures that your degree or professional training meets the requirements of the local educational and professional system.

In Malta, this process can be divided into two main types:

Academic Recognition

Academic recognition is required when your goal is to continue your studies in Malta – for example, to enrol in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programme. In such cases, Maltese educational institutions or NARIC Malta (the National Academic Recognition Information Centre) evaluate your diploma and match it to the equivalent level in the Maltese system.

Examples of when academic recognition is needed:

• admission to a university or college in Malta;
• application for student programmes or scholarships;
• recognition of a completed degree to gain access to the next level of study.

Professional Recognition

Professional recognition is required when you plan to work in your professional field in Malta, particularly if your profession is regulated. This means that before you can start working, your diploma and qualification must be officially recognised by the relevant regulatory body.

Examples of regulated professions in Malta:

• doctors, dentists, pharmacists and nurses;
• teachers and university lecturers;
• engineers and architects;
• lawyers and legal professionals.

The difference between the two types of recognition is crucial: academic recognition gives you the right to study, while professional recognition is mandatory in order to practise your profession. In many cases – especially for regulated professions – both steps may be required.

2. Which Bulgarian Documents Require Recognition in Malta?

Depending on the purpose – work, further education or practising a regulated profession – different documents issued in Bulgaria are subject to recognition in Malta. Below are the most commonly required:

Secondary Education Diplomas

• Diploma of completed secondary education (with transcript of grades).
• Required when applying for bachelor’s programmes at Maltese universities or colleges.

University Degrees

• Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral diplomas.
• Academic transcripts and supplements (listing courses and grades).
• Essential when applying for work in your field of study or for continuing education.

Professional Certificates and Qualifications

• Certificates of completed courses, specialisations or internships.
• Professional qualification certificates officially recognised in Bulgaria.
• Particularly important for regulated professions such as medicine, engineering, law or education.

Personal and Supporting Documents

• Birth certificate (sometimes required for identification purposes).
• Name change certificates (if there is a discrepancy between documents and your ID/passport).

All official documents must be legalised with an apostille and translated into English by a sworn translator in order to be accepted by Maltese institutions.

3. Procedure for Recognition in Malta

In Malta, the recognition of diplomas and qualifications is a regulated process, and the path you follow depends on whether you are looking for academic or professional recognition.

For academic recognition, the responsible authority is NARIC Malta (National Academic Recognition Information Centre). NARIC evaluates foreign diplomas — including Bulgarian ones — and issues a decision on their equivalence within the Maltese education system.

For professional recognition, the procedure is carried out by the relevant professional chambers or regulatory bodies. For example, doctors and other medical professionals must apply to the Malta Medical Council, teachers apply through the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, engineers through the Chamber of Engineers, and lawyers through the Maltese legal and bar associations.

The procedure generally involves: submitting an application (either in person, online, or through an authorised representative), providing legalised documents such as diplomas, transcripts, and certificates, arranging for sworn translations into English, and undergoing verification of authenticity and compliance with Maltese standards. Once these steps are completed, a recognition decision is issued confirming your rights to study or practise a profession in Malta.

The timeframe varies: academic recognition usually takes between one and three months, while professional recognition can take considerably longer — up to six months or more, particularly if additional checks or professional competence exams are required.

As for fees, they also differ. Academic recognition through NARIC Malta typically costs between €40 and €70, while professional recognition tends to be more expensive, especially in regulated fields such as health care and engineering.

4. The Role of the EU in Diploma Recognition

Since both Bulgaria and Malta are member states of the European Union, the process of recognising diplomas and qualifications is significantly simplified. Although the administrative steps cannot be avoided, EU regulations guarantee transparency, predictability and equal treatment of Bulgarian citizens.

Directive 2005/36/EC

This directive is the main EU legal instrument for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. It gives EU citizens the right to practise regulated professions in another member state, provided that their diploma is recognised.

Example: A Bulgarian doctor wishing to work in a hospital in Malta can apply for recognition of their diploma based on this directive.

European Qualifications Framework (EQF)

The EQF facilitates the comparison of educational levels across different countries. Thanks to it, Maltese institutions can quickly and accurately determine the equivalence of a Bulgarian diploma within the local system.

ENIC/NARIC Network

This network connects national centres for the recognition of diplomas and qualifications. In Malta, this role is performed by NARIC Malta, which cooperates with Bulgarian institutions to confirm the authenticity of documents and streamline the procedure.

What does this mean for Bulgarians?

• Procedures are standardised and more predictable.
• No additional consular legalisation is required between Bulgaria and Malta.
• Bulgarian citizens have equal rights with all EU citizens when applying for work or study.

5. Useful Tips and Common Mistakes

The recognition of diplomas and qualifications in Malta may seem like a routine administrative step, but preparation and the right approach can save you time, money and unnecessary difficulties.

Useful Tips

1. Start preparation early – translations, apostilles and certifications may take several weeks.
2. Clarify requirements in advance – universities and professional chambers in Malta may have specific conditions for certain professions.
3. Use sworn translators – translations into English must be precise and professional, especially for medical and technical fields.
4. Prepare more than one certified copy – documents are often required by more than one institution.
5. Maintain regular contact with the Maltese institution – they can often give you the clearest guidance on which documents are needed and in what format.

Common Mistakes

1. Submitting documents without an apostille – they will not be recognised in Malta.
2. Incorrect or inaccurate translations – literal translations often lead to confusion and delays.
3. Using outdated documents – certificates and academic transcripts must be current.
4. Underestimating deadlines – the process can take several months, especially for regulated professions.
5. Attempting the procedure alone without experience – often results in incomplete documentation or outright rejection.

6. When Is It Necessary to Seek Help from an Agency or Specialist Firm?

Although the recognition of diplomas and qualifications in Malta can usually be done independently, there are situations where relying on an intermediary is the smarter choice.

It is often advisable to seek professional help if you are under tight deadlines and need to start work or studies urgently, if you have a large number of documents that all require translation and legalisation, or if your case is particularly complex — for example, when applying for recognition in a regulated profession that may involve additional exams or confirmations. Even a simple lack of experience with the procedure can lead to mistakes, delays, or even rejection, which agencies are equipped to prevent.

Specialist firms typically offer a complete organisation of the process, from securing the necessary apostille to submitting documents in Malta. They can also provide sworn translations into English that are tailored to academic or professional terminology, advise you on which documents are essential versus optional, prepare certified copies for submission to different institutions, and step in with support for urgent or complicated cases.

For the applicant, the benefits are clear: you save time and effort, reduce the risk of errors and rejections, and gain peace of mind that your documents will be accepted in Malta. Most importantly, using an agency allows you to focus your energy on preparing for work or study rather than on navigating administrative formalities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do all documents need an apostille?
Yes. In Malta, an apostille is mandatory for official diplomas, certificates and statements. The only exceptions are informal documents or copies without legal value.

In what language must the documents be translated?
The official language is English, one of Malta’s two official languages. Translations must be carried out by a sworn translator to ensure accuracy and official validity.

How long does diploma recognition in Malta take?
Usually between 1 and 3 months. For regulated professions, the process may be extended to 6 months or more, especially if additional checks or exams are required.

Can one diploma be used multiple times?
Yes. Once recognised, the diploma is valid indefinitely. However, accompanying certificates (such as a certificate of current status) have an expiry date and must be renewed.

Is personal presence in Malta required?
Not always. In many cases, the procedure can be handled through an authorised representative or with the help of an agency. Increasingly, universities and institutions accept online applications.

What happens if a document is incomplete or contains errors?
Maltese institutions may refuse recognition. In such cases, a new document must be issued and the procedure repeated.

Are diplomas from private universities in Bulgaria accepted?
Yes, provided the university is accredited by Bulgaria’s National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA). If it is not accredited, Maltese institutions may reject the documents.

Can I start work or studies while waiting for recognition?
Sometimes – universities may grant conditional admission, and employers may offer a temporary contract. However, for regulated professions (such as medicine, law, education), recognition is compulsory before beginning practice.

 

Conclusion

The recognition of diplomas and qualifications is an essential and unavoidable step for every Bulgarian citizen planning to work in their field in Malta. Although both countries are EU members and the process is simplified, administrative requirements remain – apostille, sworn English translation, and submission of documents to the correct institution.

Recognition is most often required for university diplomas, professional certificates and qualifications in fields such as medicine, engineering, education and law. Careful preparation is crucial – any error or omission may delay or even block the process.

This is where Oltrans comes in – a company with long-standing experience in translations and legalisation of documents for international purposes. Our team offers:

• Sworn translations into English, adapted to academic and professional terminology.
• Complete organisation of the process – from apostille to final recognition in Malta.
• A tailored approach and support in urgent or complex cases.

If you are planning a professional career in Malta and want your diplomas to be recognised without complications, trust Oltrans. With our help, you will go through the procedure quickly, securely and without unnecessary stress – so you can focus on what really matters: your successful development in a new European environment.