📚 Preparing Certified Documents for Studying in Spain Under the Hague Apostille Convention | 海牙公约实施后西班牙留学认证材料准备
With China’s formal implementation of the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, the paperwork required to study in Spain has undergone a significant transformation. Chinese students now benefit from a streamlined Apostille process that replaces the old, multi-step consular legalisation. This guide walks you through every essential document, explains how to obtain an Apostille in China, and highlights the translation and timing requirements set by Spanish universities and consulates.
随着中国正式实施《取消外国公文书认证要求的公约》（即海牙公约），赴西班牙留学的文书准备流程发生了重大改变。中国学生如今只需办理附加证明书（Apostille），不再需要跑多个部门办理复杂的领事认证。本指南将逐一梳理所需的关键材料，说明在中国如何办理 Apostille，并重点介绍西班牙大学和领事馆对翻译与时效的具体要求。
1. Introduction to the Hague Convention and Its Impact on Document Legalisation | 海牙公约简介及其对文件认证的影响
The Hague Apostille Convention simplifies the verification of public documents between its 120+ member states. Before China joined, a Chinese-issued degree certificate, for example, had to be notarised locally, then authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally legalised by the Spanish consulate. Now, a single Apostille stamp affixed to the original notarial document makes it immediately valid in Spain.
海牙公约在120多个成员国之间简化了公文的认证程序。在中国加入前，一份中国颁发的学位证书需要先本地公证，再经外交部认证，最后送西班牙领事馆进行领事认证。现在，只需在公证书上粘贴一枚附加证明书（Apostille），即可在西班牙直接使用。
2. Understanding Apostille: What It Replaces | 了解附加证明书（Apostille）：它取代了什么
An Apostille is a standardised certificate issued by a designated competent authority. In China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its authorised local Foreign Affairs Offices issue Apostilles. This single-page form, often affixed to the back of a notarial certificate, certifies the authenticity of the notary’s signature and seal. It completely replaces the consular legalisation step, saving both time and money.
附加证明书是由指定主管机关签发的一种标准化证书。在中国，外交部及其授权的地方外事办公室负责签发 Apostille。这份单页证明通常粘贴在公证书背面，用于确认公证员签名和印章的真实性。它完全取代了领事认证环节，既省时又省钱。
| Traditional Legalisation | Apostille Process |
| Step 1: Notarisation in China | Step 1: Notarisation in China |
| Step 2: Authentication by PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Step 2: Obtain Apostille from Foreign Affairs Office |
| Step 3: Legalisation by Spanish Consulate | Done – valid in Spain directly |
| Total time: 2–4 weeks | Total time: 3–7 working days |
传统领事认证（需三步公证+外交部+领事馆，耗时2-4周）对比 Apostille 流程（公证后直接办 Apostille，3-7个工作日）。
3. Key Documents for Studying in Spain: An Overview | 西班牙留学关键材料概览
The exact documents required depend on your study level (undergraduate, master’s, language programme) and the institution, but most Spanish universities and visa offices ask for a core set: academic certificates and transcripts, a criminal record certificate, a medical certificate, and a birth or family relationship certificate if applying for dependant visas.
具体材料要求因留学层次（本科、硕士、语言课程）和院校而异，但多数西班牙大学和签证处均要求提供一组核心文件：学历证书和成绩单、无犯罪记录证明、健康证明，以及办家属陪伴签证时所需的出生证明或亲属关系证明。
4. Academic Credentials: Diplomas and Transcripts | 学历证书：毕业证与成绩单
Your original graduation certificate (or degree) and full academic transcripts must first be notarised by a Chinese notary public. The notary will produce notarial copies that attest to the authenticity of the originals. For Spain, these notarial certificates then receive the Apostille. If the university specifically requires a separate certificate of degree equivalence, you may need to apply for that through the Spanish Ministry of Education, but the base notarised and apostilled documents remain essential.
毕业证（或学位证）原件及完整成绩单必须先由中国公证处办理公证。公证员会出具证实原件真实性的公证书。前往西班牙使用的这些公证书随后需要办理 Apostille。如果大学明确要求同等学历认证，你可能需要通过西班牙教育部另行申请，但经过公证和 Apostille 的基础文件始终是必需的。
5. Notarial Certificates: Birth Certificate and Criminal Record Check | 公证文书：出生证明与无犯罪记录证明
A criminal record certificate (无犯罪记录证明) is mandatory for a student visa exceeding 180 days. You should obtain it from your local public security bureau, then have it notarised and apostilled. For students bringing family members, a notarised birth certificate or family relationship certificate, also apostilled, will be required. Note that these certificates often have a limited validity of three to six months in the eyes of Spanish consulates, so plan your application timeline backwards.
超过180天的学生签证必须提交无犯罪记录证明。应前往当地公安局开具该证明，再进行公证和 Apostille。对于携带家属的留学生，还需要提供经过公证和 Apostille 的出生证明或亲属关系证明。请注意，西班牙领事馆通常认定此类证明的有效期仅为三到六个月，因此需要倒推时间线来安排申请。
6. Medical Certificate and Other Supporting Documents | 健康证明及其他辅助材料
A medical certificate stating that you are free of infectious diseases as per the International Health Regulations is typically required. This must be issued by a recognised hospital and follow a consular template if one is provided. After the doctor’s stamp, a notary public can notarise the signature, and the document then gets an Apostille. Financial proofs, such as bank statements, usually do not need an Apostille but must be translated into Spanish.
通常需要提供一份根据国际卫生条例规定无传染性疾病的健康证明。该证明须由授权医院出具，如果领事馆提供了模板则应使用模板。医师盖章后，可由公证处对签名进行公证，再办理 Apostille。资金证明，如银行流水，一般不需要 Apostille，但必须翻译成西班牙语。
7. Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining an Apostille in China | 在中国办理附加证明书的分步指南
First, take the original document to a notary public office and request a notarial certificate. Make sure the notary uses the standard format with the foreign affairs Apostille in mind. Second, take the notarial certificate to the local provincial Foreign Affairs Office or, for documents issued in certain regions, directly to the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pay the prescribed fee (usually around 50–100 RMB per Apostille). The Apostille will be glued and stamped onto the back of the notarial act. Express service is available in many cities.
首先，携带文件原件前往公证处申办公证，务必告知公证员该公证书将用于办理 Apostille，以使用规范格式。其次，将公证书送至省级外事办公室，或对于某些地区签发的文件，直接送至外交部领事司。缴纳规定费用（通常每份 Apostille 约50-100元人民币），工作人员会将附加证明书粘贴并加盖在公证书背面。许多城市提供加急服务。
8. Translation Requirements: Spanish or English? | 翻译要求：西班牙语还是英语？
Spanish universities and consulates generally demand a sworn translation (traducción jurada) into Spanish by a translator recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. English translations are sometimes accepted for university admissions, but the visa application usually insists on Spanish. A sworn translation can be done in Spain or through a Spanish consulate-accredited translator in China. The apostilled Chinese notarial deed must be translated together with the Apostille certificate.
西班牙大学和领事馆通常要求由西班牙外交部认可的翻译人员进行官翻（traducción jurada）。大学录取阶段有时接受英文翻译，但签证申请通常坚持使用西班牙语。官翻可在西班牙完成，或通过西班牙领事馆认可的在华翻译人员办理。经过 Apostille 的中文公证书必须连同 Apostille 证明一并翻译。
9. Validity Period and Timing Considerations | 有效期与时间规划
Apostilles themselves do not expire, but the underlying documents might. A criminal record check older than three months is often rejected. Medical certificates are typically valid for three months as well. You should start the notarisation and apostille process around three to four months before your visa appointment, allowing time for sworn translations. Keep in mind that Spanish consulates may require documents to be dated within 90 days of submission.
附加证明书本身没有有效期，但其依附的原文件可能有时效。超过三个月的无犯罪记录证明往往会被拒收；健康证明通常也仅三个月有效。建议在签证预约前三四个月启动公证和 Apostille 流程，并预留官翻时间。注意，西班牙领事馆可能要求文件提交日期距签发日不超过90天。
10. Recognition by Spanish Universities and Consulates | 西班牙大学和领事馆的认可
All Spanish public universities and consulates fully recognise Apostilles issued by China since 7 November 2023. The Apostille eliminates the need for a separate legalisation stamp. However, some autonomous communities or specific degree equivalency procedures (homologación) may still ask for additional certification; always check the university’s international admissions page for the exact wording. In general, a complete package includes: notarised document + Apostille + sworn Spanish translation.
自2023年11月7日起，西班牙所有公立大学和领事馆完全认可中国签发的 Apostille。附加证明书免除了额外领事认证的需要。不过，部分自治区或特定的学历对等（homologación）程序可能仍要求补充认证；务必查看大学国际招生页面的具体说明。通常，完整文件包包括：公证书 + Apostille + 西班牙语官翻。
11. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them | 常见错误及避免方法
Mistake 1: notarising a photocopy without the original – most notary offices require the original for verification. Mistake 2: sending documents for apostille before completing the notarisation steps in the correct order. Mistake 3: using a regular translation instead of a sworn translation. Mistake 4: overlooking the three-month validity window for no-crime and medical certificates. To avoid these, create a checklist and confirm each requirement with your specific consulate and university.
错误一：不带原件就去办理公证——多数公证处要求核实原件。错误二：未按正确顺序完成公证就送往 Apostille。错误三：使用普通翻译而并非官翻。错误四：忽略无犯罪记录和健康证明的三个月有效期。为避免这些问题，建议制作一份清单，并向你所属的领事馆和大学逐一确认要求。
12. Future Developments and Final Tips | 未来发展及最后提示
As the Apostille system becomes routine, more Chinese service providers will offer bundled notarisation–apostille–translation services. Keep an eye on the official websites of the Spanish consulate in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou for updated document checklists. Finally, always have one or two extra apostilled copies made, as some procedures require a duplicate. With careful planning, your document preparation for studying in Spain can be completed smoothly and stress-free.
随着 Apostille 体系走向常态化，中国市场上会涌现更多提供公证+Apostille+翻译一站式服务的供应商。请密切关注西班牙驻北京、上海、广州领事馆官网的最新材料清单。最后，建议多准备一两份 Apostille 复印件，因为某些手续可能需要副本。认真规划，您的西班牙留学材料就能顺利、轻松地备妥。
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