A regulated profession is a professional activity that by law requires the possession of a specific professional qualification. Professionals who want to work abroad and do not know if their profession is regulated in the country they want to practise should:
- check the database of regulated professions for their profession and country of destination to see if it is regulated and how
- In the case of a regulated profession, apply for recognition of their professional qualifications to have access and be allowed to practice their profession in the country where they want to work. For non-regulated professions recognition of professional qualifications is not needed.
Professionals can contact the national contact point for further assistance, if necessary.
EU rules for recognition of professional qualifications
- Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications aims to make it easier to have professional qualifications recognised in the Single Market. It defines standardised procedures to assess an application for recognition. The Directive applies to EU nationals and to nationals of Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.
- Nationals from countries outside the EU/EEA (third-country nationals) do not fall under the scope of the Directive except under specific circumstances, or if there are specific agreements in place (e.g. Switzerland).
- For professionals who are looking to provide temporary services in another EU country, a written declaration to the competent authorities may suffice.
- For professionals that want to move to another EU country (cases of permanent establishment), recognition of professional qualifications is necessary.
Systems of recognition and tools making the procedure easier and faster
- Automatic recognition applies to the following professions:
- architects
- dentists
- doctors
- midwives
- nurses
- pharmacists
- veterinary surgeons
- Recognition based on professional experience applies to those who have significant years of professional experience in the fields of crafts, trade and industry
- General system applies to all professionals who do not fall under any other recognition systems (for example automatic system and recognition based on professional experience)
- Professions under specific legislation: other specific rules apply for certain professions such as
- lawyers
- statutory auditors
- insurance Intermediaries
- sailors and seafarers
- commercial agents
- transport operators
- professions handling toxic products
- European Professional Card: An online tool available for nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, mountain guides and real estate agents to electronically get recognition of their professional qualifications or declare their temporary provision of services in another EU country.
- Common Training Test: A standardised aptitude test available across participating countries and reserved for holders of a particular professional qualification. This is in place for ski instructors.
- Common Training Framework: A common set of minimum knowledge, skills and competences needed to practice a specific profession in participating EU countries. Holders of qualifications which comply with this common set, obtain recognition automatically. At this stage, there is not yet any common training framework in place.
