In 2008, the Recommendation establishing the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) was adopted, urging the development of national frameworks. In Spain, Article 73 of Law 2/2011 on Sustainable Economy provided for the establishment of the National Qualifications Framework to promote mobility. In 2017, new European initiatives reinforced the need to review national legislation and qualifications frameworks.

Royal Decree 1027/2011 established the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (MECES), and Royal Decree 272/2022 defined the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (MECU), both designed to inform, promote mobility, and facilitate recognition within the European Higher Education Area.

The Spanish Qualifications Framework covers all qualifications—degrees, diplomas, and certificates—within the context of lifelong learning, from the most basic levels to higher education. The MECU covers qualifications from compulsory education, vocational education and training, arts, sports, and university education, complementing the general framework initiated in 2011. It includes qualifications obtained both within and outside the formal education system.

The MECU consists of eight levels with descriptors based on knowledge, skills, and competences, inspired by the EQF, and adapted to the national context. It aims to coordinate all education and training subsystems and integrate the validation of non-formal and informal learning.

Its objectives include:

• facilitating the understanding of qualifications through learning outcomes;
• improving information and promoting mobility;
• supporting lifelong learning;
• linking initial and employment-oriented vocational training;
• improving access to training;
• identifying, validating, and recognizing all learning outcomes;
• facilitating the transition between different training subsystems;
• developing procedures for the recognition of non-formal learning;
• reducing early school leaving.

The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports coordinates the development and implementation of the MECU (Spanish Qualifications Framework) with other ministries and social partners, including business organisations, sectoral and university conferences, advisory councils, evaluation agencies, and the autonomous communities. Although the MEFP leads its development and coordination, its implementation involves all public administrations and social partners.

The eight levels of the MECU cover all qualifications in Spain; the four highest levels are compatible with the MECES (Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education), which is based on the Dublin descriptors. The focus on learning outcomes is essential, with greater development in VET.

Royal Decree 272/2022 constitutes the first phase of the MECU, incorporating regulated training; non-formal training will be integrated later. The correspondence between training and levels is detailed in its Annex. After its approval, the MECU must undergo certification of compatibility with the EQF (European Qualifications Framework) and subsequently a self-certification process, linking each qualification to its corresponding level, with the involvement of experts and external quality assurance procedures.