Among the numerous national and international prizes and distinctions which have been bestowed upon José Carreras are as follows:

• served as the Musical Director for the 1992 Olympic Games held in Barcelona
• an Emmy from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences of the United States
• the Grand Prix du Disque from the Academy of Paris
• the Luigi Illica Prize
• a 1991 Grammy Award
• the Sir Laurence Olivier Award for his performance in Stiffelio at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
• Kammersänger and Lifetime Honorary Member of the Vienna Staatsoper
• Honorary Member of the London Royal Academy of Music
• the Gold Medal of the New York Spanish Institute
• the Gold Medal of the City of Vienna
• the Gold Medal of Fine Arts bestowed by His Majesty the King of Spain
• the Gold Medal of the City of Barcelona
• the Gold Medal of the Generalitat of Catalunya
• Prince of Asturias Award 1991
• Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la République Franca ise
• Gran Croce di Cavaliere and Grande Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana
• Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO 
• The Albert Schweitzer Music Award 1996.

He has also been awarded the following titles:

• Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Barcelona and the Universities of Loughborough and Sheffield in the United Kingdom
• Honorary Member of the European Society for Medicine, Honorary Patron of the European Society for Medical Oncology
• Honorary Member of the Leukaemia Support Group and the St Boniface General Hospital Research Foundation 1996 International Award.
• Honorary President of the Julian Gayarre International Singing Competition
• Honorary President of the London Arts Orchestra.