QQI welcomes Ireland’s application to join the Multilateral Treaty on the Automatic Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) welcome the announcement this week that Ireland has formally applied to join the Multilateral Treaty on the Automatic Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications.

The Treaty has been in force since May 2024 between Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Poland applied to join in May 2025 and is currently completing its national ratification process. Ireland’s accession process has commenced and will continue over the coming months. Upon completion, Irish higher education qualifications will also be automatically recognised by participating states.

The Treaty ensures that higher education qualifications obtained in one participating country are automatically recognised at the same level in all other participating countries. This will eliminate lengthy and costly recognition procedures for students seeking to continue their studies abroad. The Treaty does not apply to the professional recognition of qualifications for access to regulated professions, which is subject to wider EU law and national rules.

The formal application was presented by James Lawless TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, to Liesje Schreinemacher, Deputy Secretary-General of the Benelux Union, ahead of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council in Brussels on Monday, 11th May 2026.

QQI actively supported colleagues in the Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in the preparation of the application leveraging its expertise from the Bologna Process and its role as host of the ENIC-NARIC Ireland centre. 

Commenting on the announcement Dr Lynn Ramsey, Chief Executive Officer of QQI, said: 

The announcement this week is a welcome development for Ireland and our higher education sector. Ireland’s participation in the Treaty supports QQI’s core vision for Ireland of having a flexible, responsive and quality assured higher education system, where learners can be confident that their learning experience is of high quality and that their qualifications are recognised and valued both nationally and internationally.

Dr Jim Murrary, Director of Development at QQI, added: 

The announcement is welcome news for learners and employees looking to complete further study or work in Europe. The automatic recognition of higher education qualifications between participating partner states removes levels of bureaucracy and creates better opportunities for mobility in Europe.