Overview
Use the table and the filters below to gain an overview of NQF developments in Europe. It is possible to compare countries based on reporting year, stage of development and whether the NQF has been linked to EQF.
| Country | Reporting year | Scope of the framework | Number of levels | Level descriptors | Legal basis/stage of development | NQF linked to EQF | NQF/EQF website | Qualifications register/database |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 2024 | The NQF is open to all types of qualifications from the formal and non-formal sectors. It has a ‘Y structure’, which captures differences between higher education and all other qualifications at higher levels. | Eight |
knowledge, skills, competence |
Federal Law 14/2016 on the NQF Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2012 |
Website | Qualifications register |
| Belgium-FL | 2024 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualifications from formal education and training (educational qualifications) and professional qualifications, which can be awarded by providers operating within and outside the formal system. | Eight |
knowledge / skills, context / autonomy / responsibility |
Decree on the qualification structure (2009) (in Dutch) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2011, 2014 update, 2023 update |
Website | Qualifications database |
| Croatia | 2024 | The NQF covers full and partial qualifications from all levels and subsystems of formal education and training: general education, VET, adult education, higher education and lifelong learning programmes offered by higher education institutions. | Thirteen |
knowledge, skills, autonomy and responsibility |
CROQF Act (2013, last amendment in 2021) (in Croatian) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2012, 2024 update |
Website | Qualifications register |
| Cyprus | 2024 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training and qualifications from the system of vocational qualifications; the latter are awarded through non-formal and informal learning. | Eight | knowledge, skills, competence | Decision of the CoM, No 67445 on establishing the CyQF (2008) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2017 | Website | SVQ website |
| Denmark | 2024 | The NQF includes all levels and types of formal qualifications, along with qualifications awarded outside the formal system. | Eight | knowledge, skills, competence | Administrative decision on the Danish NQF for LLL approved by the Ministers for Education; for Science, Technology and Innovation; for Culture; and for Economic and Business Affairs (2009) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2011, addendum to the referencing report 2024 | Website | Register of qualifications and programmes in the NQF |
| Estonia | 2024 | The framework includes all national qualifications, awarded within or outside formal education and training by nationally accredited institutions. There are two main types of levelled qualifications: formal education qualifications and professional qualifications. | Eight |
knowledge, skills, responsibility and autonomy |
Professions Act (2008) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2011, 2016 update |
Website 1Website 2 | Professional qualifications registerEstonian education infosystem (EHIS |
| Finland | 2024 | The framework covers state-recognised qualifications, i.e. formal qualifications awarded by the education and other ministries, and competence modules, which may be shorter than a qualification and can be awarded outside formal education and training. | Eight |
integrated level descriptors include knowledge, skills and key competences |
Act on the national framework for qualifications and other competence modules (93/2017) Government Decree on the NQF (120/2017) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2017 |
Website | Studyinfo database |
| France | 2024 | The NQF covers all levels and types of formal qualifications apart from initial education qualifications (nursery school, primary school and first cycle/lower secondary level). It is open to qualifications awarded outside the regulated qualification system, including private-sector and international qualifications, and industry or sectoral qualifications (CQPs). | Eight |
complexity of knowledge, level of expertise, degree of responsibility and autonomy |
Law No 2002-73 on social modernisation (2002) Law No 2018-771 for the freedom to choose one’s professional future (2018) Decree No 2019-14 on the NQF of vocational and professional qualifications (2019) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2010, 2021 update |
Website | National register of vocational and professional qualifications (RNCP) |
| Germany | 2024 | The NQF includes qualifications awarded within (general education, initial VET, regulated further training and higher education) and outside formal education and training. | Eight |
professional competence (knowledge and skills), personal competence (social competence and autonomy) |
Joint resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers for Education and Cultural Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Economic Affairs and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Technology (2013) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2012 |
Website | DQR qualifications database |
| Ireland | 2024 | The NQF includes qualifications achieved in schools, FET and higher education, as well as qualifications obtained through non-formal learning. | 10, with five classes of award type: major, minor, special-purpose, professional and supplemental |
knowledge (breadth and kind), know-how and skills (range and selectivity) and competence (context, role, learning to learn and insight) |
Qualifications (Education and Training) Act (1999) Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019. Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2009, 2020 update |
Website | The NFQ register of qualifications |
| Latvia | 2024 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training, including professional qualifications, which can also be awarded through the validation of non-formal and informal learning. | Eight |
knowledge, skills, competences |
Regulation No 990 of the CoM on the education classification of Latvia (2010) Replaced by the Regulation No 322 of the CoM on the education classification of Latvia (2017) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2011, 2019 updated |
Website | Latvian qualifications database |
| Lithuania | 2024 | The NQF includes all officially recognised qualifications in general (primary and secondary) education, vocational education and training (VET), and higher education. | Eight |
characteristics of activities (complexity, autonomy, variability), types of competences (functional, cognitive and general) |
Government resolution on approving the description of the Lithuanian qualifications framework (2010) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2011, 2024 update |
Website | Qualifications database |
| Malta | 2024 | The NQF includes qualifications and awards at all levels acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning. | Eight |
knowledge, skills, competences |
Legal notice 294 on MQF for lifelong learning regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 327.431) (2012) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2009, 2010, 2012, 2016 and 2023 update |
Website | Malta qualifications database |
Moldova |
2024 | Comprehensive, accommodating qualifications from general education, HE, VET, plus qualifications from non-formal education, international qualifications, partial qualifications and micro credentials. |
Eight |
Knowledge, Skills, Competences. |
Moldova first introduced legislation formalizing a national qualifications framework (NQF) concept in 2010. A further law, aligning the framework much more closely to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), including adoption of an 8-level structure, was adopted in 2017 https://mecc.gov.md/ro/content/cadrul-national-al-calificarilor-0 Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
No. |
Website | Website |
| Montenegro | 2024 | Comprehensive NQF including all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training and from the system of national vocational qualifications (NVQs). | Eight, with sublevels at levels 1, 4 and 7 |
knowledge, skills, competence |
Law on the MQF (2010) modified in 2025 Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2014 |
Website | National register of qualifications |
| Netherlands | 2024 | The NQF includes two main groups: regulated qualifications awarded in the formal education and training system (except primary education), and non-regulated – mainly private – qualifications awarded on the labour market (non-formal qualifications). | Eight, including a sublevel at level 4 (4+), and an entry level |
context, knowledge, skills, responsibility and independence |
NLQF Act (2024) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2012, 2019 update |
Website | NLQF databaseNLQF register |
| Norway | 2024 | The NQF includes all formal qualifications at lower and upper secondary, higher vocational and higher education levels. | Seven, with sublevels at levels 5 and 6 |
knowledge, skills, general competence |
Ministerial Decision on the NQF (2011) Regulation on the NQF for lifelong learning and on the referencing to the EQF for LLL (2017) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2014 |
Website | Databases of qualificationsDatabase of study programmes |
| Poland | 2024 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training, along with state-regulated and non-regulated qualifications awarded outside formal education and training. | Eight |
knowledge, skills, social competence |
Act on the integrated qualifications system (2016) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2013 |
Website | Integrated qualifications register |
| Portugal | 2024 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training and from the national system for the recognition, validation and certification of competences. | Eight |
knowledge, skills, attitudes |
Ministerial order on the NQF (2009) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2011 |
Website | National qualifications catalogueDatabase of higher education courses and institutionsPortal displaying learning opportunities |
| Romania | 2024 | The NQF includes the whole spectrum of nationally recognised qualifications regardless of learning context, including those acquired through validation of non-formal learning. | Eight |
knowledge, skills, responsibility and autonomy |
Government decision 918/2013 on the approval of the NQF (2013) Government decision 132/2018 amending and supplementing GD No 918/2013 on the approval of the NQF (2018) and harmonised with the 2017 EQF recommendation Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2018 |
Website | https://www.anc.edu.ro/ |
| Serbia | 2024 | General and vocational qualifications covering pre-university education, and academic and professional qualifications covering higher education. It also includes qualifications awarded outside formal education | Eight, with sublevels at levels 6 and 7 |
knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes |
Law on the NQF for Serbia (2018) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2020 |
Website | National qualifications register |
| Slovenia | 2024 | The NQF includes educational qualifications (awarded through general, vocational/technical and higher education), vocational qualifications and supplementary qualifications awarded outside the regulated qualifications system. | Ten |
knowledge, skills, competences |
Slovenian Qualifications Framework Act (2016) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2013 |
Website | SQF qualifications registerNVQ database |
| Sweden | 2024 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training, along with qualifications awarded outside the formal education and training system | Eight |
knowledge, skills, autonomy and responsibility |
Ordinance (2015:545) on qualifications framework for lifelong learning, including the general framework (in force since October 2015) and the application procedure (in force since January 2016. Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2016 |
Website | Database of qualifications |
| Switzerland | 2024 | NQF for vocational and professional qualifications (NQF-VPQ) and NQF for higher education (nqf.ch-HS). | Eight |
Level descriptors of the NQF-VPQ:, knowledge, skills, competences (professional and personal) |
Ordinance on the NQF for vocational and professional qualifications (NQF-VPQ) (2014) Adoption of the qualifications framework for the Swiss higher education area (nqf.ch-HS) (2009) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2015 |
Website | The List of assigned vocational and professional qualifications (July 2025)A database of all state-recognised occupations and professions |
| Türkiye | 2024 | Designed as a comprehensive NQF; it includes all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training and from the national vocational qualification system. | Eight | knowledge, skills, competence | Regulation on the procedures and principles of its implementation (TQF Regulation) (2015, updated in 2019) (in Turkish) (in English) Regulation on the quality assurance of qualifications to be included in the Turkish qualifications framework (2018) (in Turkish) (in English) Operational stage NQFs at this stage provide a map of recognised qualifications and a reference point for development and review of standards and curricula; NQF levels are indicated on certificates and diplomas, qualifications registers/databases are functional, and quality assurance mechanisms are in place. |
2017 updated in 2025 | Website | TQF qualifications database |