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.
Detailed information on developments in Georgia and Moldova will be available in the next update of the tool in 2025.
| 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 | 2022 | The NQF is open to all types of qualifications from the formal and non-formal sectors. General education qualifications are not yet included in the framework. |
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 | 2022 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualifications from formal education and training (educational qualifications) and professional qualifications that can be awarded awarded both inside and outside formal education. |
Eight |
knowledge / skills, context / autonomy / responsibility |
Decree on the qualification structure (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, 2014 update, 2023 update |
Website | Qualifications database |
| Croatia | 2022 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training. |
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 |
Website | Qualifications register |
| Cyprus | 2022 | 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, with sublevels at levels 5 and 7 | 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 | |
| Denmark | 2022 | 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) Integrated in sectoral legislation 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 | Register of qualifications and programmes in the NQF |
| Estonia | 2022 | 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 | 2022 | 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) 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 | 2022 | 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) 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 |
Website | National register of vocational and professional qualifications (RNCP) |
| Germany | 2022 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualifications from formal education and training (general education, initial VET, regulated further training and higher education). |
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 | 2022 | The NQF includes all types and levels of qualification from formal education and training. It also seeks to accommodate qualifications obtained through non-formal learning, offered by international, private and professional bodies. |
10, with five classes of award type: major, minor, special-purpose, professional and supplemental |
knowledge, skills, competence |
Qualifications (Education and Training) Act (1999) 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 | 2022 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training, including professional qualifications . |
Eight |
knowledge, skills, competences |
Regulation No 990 of the CoM on the education classification of Latvia (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, 2019 updated |
Website | Latvian qualifications database |
| Lithuania | 2022 | 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 |
Website | Qualifications database |
| Malta | 2022 | The NQF includes qualifications and awards at all levels acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning. |
Eight plus two introductory levels A and B |
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 |
| Montenegro | 2022 | 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) 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 | 2022 | 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 |
Approval of the NLQF by the Dutch Government and the Dutch Parliament (2011) 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 update |
Website | NLQF databaseNLQF register |
| Norway | 2022 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training. No descriptor or qualification linked to EQF level 1. |
Seven, with sublevels at levels 5 and 6 |
knowledge, skills, general competence |
Ministerial Decision on the NQF (2011) 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 | 2022 | The NQF includes all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training, along with state- and non-regulated (market) qualifications awarded outside formal education and training. |
Eight |
knowledge, skills, social competence |
Law on the integrated qualifications system (2015) 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 | 2022 | 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 | 2022 | 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) 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 | National register of professional qualificationsNational register of qualifications for higher educationNational register of postgraduate programmes (NRPP) |
| Serbia | 2022 | Designed as a comprehensive and integrated NQF, including all levels and types of qualification from formal education and training, and non-formal and informal learning. |
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 | 2022 | 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 (2015) (in Slovenian) 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 | 2022 | 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 | 2022 | 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) 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 2020)A database of all state-recognised occupations and professions |
| Türkiye | 2022 | Designed as a comprehensive NQF; it will include 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) 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 | TQF qualifications database |