As massive anti-COVID 19 vaccination is bringing back hopes for a return to normal life and thus to a re-start of business. We find it interested to share with you here, as a reminder, the conditions EU sets for the recognition of qualifications based on professional experience. The issue is simple: recognition = freedom of movement and professional exercise within the Single Market!

The following information comes from the EU’s official website:

“Professionals working in the craft, commerce or industry sectors may qualify for the automatic recognition of professional qualification in another EU country.

There are two ways of getting your qualifications recognised:

        • automatic recognition – applies for qualifications on the basis of professional experience. The required minimum duration and nature of the professional experience are laid down in Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications, Articles 17 19.
        • mutual recognition – applies for qualifications on the basis of the general system.

If the authorities of the host country find significant differences between the training acquired in your country of origin (including your professional experience) and that required for the same work in the host country, they may ask you to complete a traineeship or aptitude test.

The general system of recognition enables workers to have their professional qualification recognised in another EU country.

The host country

  • recognises qualifications when the applicant has full access to the same profession in the home country
  • grants recognition to professionals whose profession is not regulated in the country of origin, but who have worked full-time in that profession for one year in the past 10 years
  • may in both of the above circumstances impose compensatory measures such as an adaptation period of up to three years or an aptitude test when there are substantial differences in education.

Please come back to us with any question or comment you may have on the above!