An apostille on a Russian degree is affixed by a regional education authority, not by Rosobrnadzor and not by the university. Since 1 September 2024, the authority of any region accepts the application, wherever the university is located. You can apply through Gosuslugi, the apostille register’s personal account, in person or by post. It takes 5 working days, or up to 25 if the university has to be queried; the fee is RUB 2,500 per document.
From Spain you file the application online yourself, and a representative in Russia takes the original diploma to the authority and back. For Spanish authorities a paper stamp on the original is safer: Spain recognises the electronic apostille, but the register its QR code points to is hard to reach from Spain.
Who apostilles a degree
Apostilles on education documents are affixed by the regional executive body responsible for education, usually a regional ministry or department of education. Rosobrnadzor does not affix apostilles: it keeps the federal register of apostilles (Rosobrnadzor).
- Any region. Since 1 September 2024 applications are accepted «regardless of the applicant’s place of residence and the location of the organisation» that issued the diploma (point 9 of the Rules, Resolution No. 1890). A Moscow resident with a degree from a Novosibirsk university can apply in Moscow.
- Which degrees. Those issued in the Russian Federation and in the RSFSR, including Soviet-style diplomas (point 1). A diploma issued in another Soviet republic does not fall under this rule.
- University closed or renamed. The authority queries the legal successor or an archive. If there is no reply or no signature sample, the apostille is refused (points 12 and 21), so with a degree from a closed university start early.
- The transcript of grades. Homologation needs it too. The apostille goes on the document or on a separate sheet attached to it (point 2).
How to apply
There are four routes (point 8 of the Rules):
- Gosuslugi. You choose the result: «register extract and apostille stamp» or «register extract» only. For Spain, choose the option with the stamp. The diploma scan is attached as one file together with the transcript. The original is brought to the authority after the decision, and the stamp is affixed within 5 working days.
- The apostille register’s personal account (FIS FBDA), which also works when Gosuslugi is unavailable.
- In person at the education authority, yourself or through a representative.
- By post with an inventory and acknowledgement of receipt.
Filing through Gosuslugi was suspended from 31 August to 14 September 2026; the Novosibirsk region’s education ministry advised filing through the apostille register’s account with a fee receipt (notice). Whether filing through Gosuslugi has resumed could not be confirmed at the time of checking, so check the service status before applying.
Timelines and fee
| What | How much | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time | 5 working days | Rules, point 14 |
| If the university is queried | up to 25 working days | Rules, point 14 |
| Stamp after a Gosuslugi decision | 5 working days from bringing the original | Rules, point 17 |
| Fee | RUB 2,500 per document | Russian Tax Code, Article 333.33 |
The fee is RUB 2,500 «per document» (Article 333.33 of the Russian Tax Code). Whether it is charged separately for the transcript depends on the region: the Leningrad region, for example, charges RUB 2,500 for a diploma together with its transcript. On Gosuslugi the fee can only be paid online.
Electronic apostille or a stamp on the original
After the decision, an electronic apostille with a QR code is created in the register, and the applicant receives an extract about it. Spain recognises an electronic apostille if its QR code works (Spanish Ministry of Universities).
The problem lies elsewhere: Rosobrnadzor’s apostille register is hard to reach from Spain. UGE already sends requests for documents about Ministry of Justice apostilles whose QR codes do not open; how to answer them is covered in the article on the apostille on an EGRUL and EGRIP extract. So for Spain a paper stamp on the original is safer, with the electronic apostille extract kept as a supplement.
How to do it all while in Spain
- The application via Gosuslugi or the register account is filed by the diploma holder personally, from any country.
- The original is taken to the education authority and back by a representative in Russia. The document can also be returned by post. Which other documents can be apostilled from abroad and which need no apostille at all is covered in apostille and legalisation for Spain.
- Power of attorney. The representative acts under a power of attorney executed under Russian law. It can be drawn up at the consular section of the Russian Embassy in Madrid or at the Consulate General in Barcelona; check in advance which form the particular authority will accept.
- If you apply by post, not every copy needs a notary, only certain ones: a document on a change of name issued abroad and copies of foreigners’ identity documents (point 7 of the Rules). When you apply through Gosuslugi or the apostille register, copies are not notarised.
What happens next in Spain
A sworn translator translates the apostilled diploma into Spanish, apostille included (translation requirements). For homologation an official translator from an EU country or a translation with the translator’s signature legalised is also accepted; how to find a sworn translator is covered in the article on sworn translation.
- A notarised copy does not replace the original. For homologation a notarised copy is not accepted as proof that the diploma is genuine, so the «notarised copy plus a Ministry of Justice apostille» route certifies the notary’s signature, not the university’s.
- Homologation. Documents are filed with an apostille and an official translation (Article 13 of RD 889/2022); who needs it and how long it takes is covered in the article on degree homologation.
- Digital nomad permit. Qualification is shown by a degree or three years of experience; the procedure is in the digital nomad visa guide.
Other documents for the digital nomad: work record, EGRIP, EGRUL
Besides the degree, a digital nomad often needs three more documents with an apostille. They are apostilled not by the education authorities but by the Justice Ministry office of the region where the document was issued. The fee is the same, 2,500 roubles per document, and it takes up to 5 working days, or up to 30 if the ministry needs a specimen signature. A representative with a power of attorney from a consulate can collect the documents and file them for the apostille.
| Document | Where to get the paper document | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Extract from the electronic work record (STD-SFR), if you prove 3 years of experience instead of a degree | The Social Fund (SFR) or an MFC centre, on paper with a stamp; or a notary certifies the Gosuslugi extract | The extract is free (notary at their rate) + 2,500 roubles apostille |
| EGRIP extract on yourself, if you work as a sole proprietor | The tax office, a paper extract with a stamp: the electronic one cannot be apostilled | 200 roubles (400 urgent) + 2,500 roubles apostille |
| EGRUL extract on the employer or client, to show it has operated for a year | The tax office, a paper extract with a stamp | 200 roubles (400 urgent) + 2,500 roubles apostille |
How to apostille an extract, step by step: apostille on an EGRUL or EGRIP extract. How experience is proven for the permit: digital nomad visa guide. For an autónomo the key extract is the EGRUL on the client, which shows the company has operated for at least a year; the EGRIP on yourself is added on top. Then a sworn translator in Spain translates all documents together with their apostilles.
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Common mistakes
- Going to the university or to Rosobrnadzor for the apostille: it is affixed by the regional education authority.
- Choosing «register extract» only on Gosuslugi, without the stamp on the original.
- Apostilling the diploma without the transcript of grades, although homologation needs it too.
- Putting a Ministry of Justice apostille on a notarised copy instead of an apostille on the original.
- Translating the diploma without the apostille: the apostille is translated together with the document.
Frequently asked questions
Who apostilles a Russian degree?
A regional education authority. Rosobrnadzor does not affix apostilles; it keeps the register of apostilles. The university does not affix them either.
Can the apostille be affixed in a region other than where the diploma was issued?
Yes. Since 1 September 2024 the authority of any region accepts the application, regardless of where the university is located or where the applicant lives.
How much does an apostille on a degree cost and how long does it take?
The fee is RUB 2,500 per document. It takes 5 working days, or up to 25 working days if the authority needs to query the university.
Can I get an apostille on my degree while in Spain?
Yes: you file online through Gosuslugi or the apostille register’s account, and a representative in Russia takes the original to the authority and back under a power of attorney.
Will Spain accept an electronic apostille on a degree?
The Ministry of Universities recognises an electronic apostille with a working QR code, but the register is hard to reach from Spain. A paper stamp on the original is safer.
Does the diploma transcript need an apostille?
For homologation, yes: the transcript of grades is needed too. Whether a separate fee is charged for it depends on the region.
How much does an apostille on an EGRIP extract and a work record cost?
The apostille fee is 2,500 roubles per document, and it is issued by the Justice Ministry office of the region where the document was issued. A paper EGRIP extract from the tax office costs 200 roubles, or 400 urgent. A paper extract from the electronic work record is issued free of charge by the Social Fund or an MFC centre.
Sources
- Russian Government Resolution No. 1890 of 10.11.2023, as amended 26.11.2025: points 1, 2, 7–9, 12, 14, 17, 21; Russian Tax Code, Article 333.33
- Rosobrnadzor: confirmation of education documents; Novosibirsk region education ministry: Gosuslugi suspension
- RD 889/2022, Article 13; Spanish Ministry of Universities: legalisation; translation
- Who apostilles a degree
- How to apply
- Timelines and fee
- Electronic apostille or a stamp on the original
- How to do it all while in Spain
- What happens next in Spain
- Other documents for the digital nomad: work record, EGRIP, EGRUL
- Common mistakes
- Frequently asked questions
- Who apostilles a Russian degree?
- Can the apostille be affixed in a region other than where the diploma was issued?
- How much does an apostille on a degree cost and how long does it take?
- Can I get an apostille on my degree while in Spain?
- Will Spain accept an electronic apostille on a degree?
- Does the diploma transcript need an apostille?
- How much does an apostille on an EGRIP extract and a work record cost?
- Sources
