Poland has applied to accede to the Multilateral Treaty on Automatic Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications
22.05.2025
On 22 May, Poland has applied to accede to the Multilateral Treaty on Automatic Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications. The proposal was presented by the Undersecretary of State Prof. Andrzej Szeptycki to the Secretary-General of the Benelux Union, Frans Weekers, on behalf of the Polish Government. The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. This treaty was initiated a few years ago by the Benelux countries and the Baltic States. By joining the Treaty, Poland intends to promote academic mobility in the European Higher Education Area.
The accession of the Republic of Poland to the Multilateral Treaty on the Automatic Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications is another step towards closer cooperation within the European Higher Education Area. It is also a confirmation of the fact that our country has a credible system for ensuring the quality of education programs, which is consistent with European standards, said Professor Andrzej Szeptycki, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
Secretary-General Frans Weekers is very pleased with Poland’s request to join the Treaty. Barely a year after the Benelux-Baltic initiative came into force, we’re already seeing our pioneering role recognized by a major and influential European country. I hope and expect that other countries will quickly pick up on this signal and join in to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and financial barriers. That’s good news for people with a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree who need it to study or work in a participating European country.- noted the Secretary-General.
The Treaty, which has been in force since May 1, 2024, between Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, ensures that higher education degrees obtained in one of the participating countries are automatically recognized at the same level in the other treaty countries. This means that students no longer need to undergo lengthy and costly recognition procedures when they wish to continue their studies in one of the participating countries.
Poland's accession to the Treaty confirms that our country meets the quality requirements for automatic and mutual recognition of qualifications obtained in higher education. The Benelux and Baltic countries hope that cooperation with Poland will inspire other European countries to take similar steps and thus contribute to the further integration of the European Higher Education Area.
The accession process will continue in the coming months. After the official accession to the Treaty, Polish higher education diplomas will be automatically recognised in the Benelux and Baltic countries.
