Declaration of Value (DoV) and CIMEA Credential Recognition for Italy

Why your foreign qualification needs to be recognised

To enrol at an Italian university, a non-EU applicant must show that their prior qualification is genuine and comparable to the Italian level required for the course. An Italian secondary diploma gives direct access to a bachelor's; a foreign diploma is assessed for equivalence. The same logic applies when a foreign bachelor's degree is used to enter an Italian master's.

Italy offers two main routes to document this: the traditional Declaration of Value issued by an Italian embassy, and statements issued by CIMEA, Italy's official information centre on academic mobility. Universities increasingly accept CIMEA statements, but requirements differ by institution, so you must check what your specific university asks for.

The Declaration of Value (Dichiarazione di Valore)

The Declaration of Value (DoV, or Dichiarazione di Valore in loco) is a document issued by the Italian embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over the country where your qualification was awarded. It describes your qualification in the context of that country's education system: the awarding institution, the level, the duration, and what access the qualification gives locally.

The DoV is a long-standing route and is sometimes still required, but it can take time and depends on the consular office's procedures. Because the embassy issues it, you usually request it as part of, or alongside, your visa and pre-enrolment process.

CIMEA statements: comparability and verification

CIMEA (Centro di Informazione sulla Mobilità e le Equivalenze Accademiche) is the Italian ENIC-NARIC centre. It issues two distinct documents that many universities now accept in place of, or alongside, the DoV.

The Statement of Comparability describes how your qualification compares to the Italian and European frameworks (such as the European Qualifications Framework and Bologna level). The Statement of Verification confirms, by contacting the awarding institution, that your qualification is authentic. These are separate documents serving different purposes — comparability is about level, verification is about authenticity.

• Statement of Comparability — shows the level and comparability of your qualification
• Statement of Verification — confirms the qualification is authentic with the awarding body
• Both are issued by CIMEA, Italy's official ENIC-NARIC centre

DoV or CIMEA: which do you need?

There is no single answer for every applicant — the requirement is set by your university and sometimes by the embassy. Some universities accept CIMEA statements; some still ask for a Declaration of Value; some accept either; and some accept apostilled documents in certain cases. Always confirm with your university's international admissions office in writing.

Whatever route applies, start early. Document recognition can be the slowest part of an Italian application, and it often must be ready before pre-enrolment or final enrolment. Build in buffer time for legalisation, translations, and processing.

• Check the exact requirement with your specific university — do not assume
• Confirm whether a CIMEA statement, a DoV, or an apostille is accepted
• Allow extra weeks for translation, legalisation, and processing

Translations, legalisation and the apostille

Foreign documents typically need to be in Italian (or sometimes English) and may need legalisation. Countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention can legalise documents with an apostille; other countries use embassy legalisation. The exact combination of translation and legalisation depends on your country and your university.

This is general information, not legal advice. Recognition rules and accepted documents change and differ by office — verify current requirements on the official CIMEA site, your Italian embassy/consulate (via studyinitaly.esteri.it), and your university's websites before paying any fees or booking appointments.