Declaration of Value

What it is for, when it is required and why it can make the difference in the recognition of your qualification.

One of the most often overlooked, yet decisive, elements in obtaining recognition of an academic or professional qualification obtained abroad is the correct acquisition of the Declaration of Value. Before submitting any formal application to the Italian authorities, a complete documentary file must be prepared, drawn up to the required standards, in which the Declaration of Value is almost always a central element. This document does not in itself confer any entitlement, but it allows the administration to rule with fuller knowledge on the equivalence and validity of a foreign qualification.

The Declaration of Value is issued exclusively by the Italian consular mission in the country where the qualification was obtained. Its function is to certify officially the legal nature of the qualification, the body that issued it, the level of the course, its duration, the entry requirements and any professional value in the system of reference. In short, it offers a concise but official picture of the features of the foreign qualification, assisting the Italian universities, ministries or professional orders called upon to rule on recognition.

In Italian procedures, above all for qualifications from non-EU countries, the Declaration of Value is often strictly required. Even where it is not expressly provided for, as is sometimes the case for European qualifications, it may nonetheless serve as useful supporting evidence, reinforcing the legitimacy of the documentation submitted. It should be borne in mind, however, that the issue of the Declaration is not automatic: it requires rigorous preparation of the underlying documentation, together with legalisation or an Apostille and official translations into Italian. Formal errors or omissions may delay the procedure or lead the consulate not to issue the document.

Another aspect often underestimated concerns the differing practice followed by the consular offices. Each mission has slightly different arrangements, timeframes and requirements. In some countries specific forms are required, in others booking through a portal is provided for, in others still the documents must be sent by post or through accredited agencies. It is therefore essential to know in advance the operating instructions of the competent consulate and to prepare the file with great care, relying on professionals able to handle this step efficiently.

Although its use has been partly scaled back for qualifications obtained in the European Union, in line with the principles of Directive 2005/36/EC and with the decision-making autonomy recognised to the Italian universities by Law 148/2002, the Declaration of Value retains a central role in procedures involving ministries, regional school offices, professional orders and employment agencies. It is also required in many cases for secondary-school qualifications, vocational courses and post-diploma qualifications, in procedures of equipollenza, equivalence and admission to public competitions.

Although some legal commentators consider it an outdated instrument, its validity as an auxiliary document of verification remains beyond dispute. The Council of State has repeatedly reaffirmed that the Declaration of Value cannot be regarded as the sole or binding element for recognition, but remains an instructional instrument that the administrations must take into account within a broader and reasoned assessment. It does not replace the decision-making competence of the Italian authority, but helps to make it better informed and legally grounded.

In our practice, we handle every aspect of the application for the Declaration of Value: from obtaining and checking the original documents, to preparing the official translations, to consular legalisation, through to direct dealings with the diplomatic missions. Each consulate has different rules and we know them in detail. This allows us to shorten the timeframes and reduce the margin for error, providing the client with complete, tailored assistance that complies with the requirements of the Italian authorities.