Recognition of professional qualifications obtained abroad: how does it work?

In recent years, professional mobility within the European Union has increased considerably. More and more individuals choose to study or work in a country other than the one where they obtained their qualifications, making the recognition of professional credentials acquired abroad an increasingly important issue. To facilitate this process, the European Union has established a legal framework aimed at ensuring that qualified professionals can practice their profession in different Member States under fair and transparent conditions.

The main legal instrument governing this matter is Directive 2005/36/EC, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Its purpose is to simplify and harmonize the procedures through which Member States recognize professional qualifications obtained in another EU country, thereby promoting the free movement of workers and services across the European market.

The directive applies to European Union citizens who wish to pursue a regulated profession in a Member State other than the one where they completed their education or training. A regulated profession is generally understood as a professional activity for which national legislation requires specific qualifications, certifications, or professional credentials in order to legally access or perform that occupation.

One of the key distinctions introduced by the directive concerns the difference between temporary service provision and permanent establishment in another Member State. When a professional intends to provide services only occasionally or temporarily in another EU country, formal recognition of qualifications is often not required. Nevertheless, in sectors involving public health or safety, national authorities may carry out prior checks to verify the professional’s competence and qualifications before authorizing the activity.

The situation changes when the professional intends to settle permanently and work on a stable basis in another Member State. In these circumstances, a formal recognition procedure becomes necessary, and the competent authority of the host country evaluates whether the applicant’s education and professional background meet the standards required under national law.

To achieve this balance between mobility and professional standards, the directive establishes two different recognition systems. The first is the automatic recognition system, which applies to professions for which the European Union has already harmonized minimum training requirements. This mechanism mainly concerns professions carrying significant responsibilities, especially in healthcare and technical fields.

Automatic recognition is available for professions such as doctors, nurses responsible for general care, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, midwives, and architects, provided that the qualifications obtained comply with the educational standards established at European level. These standards generally concern the minimum duration of studies, the structure of theoretical and practical training, and the completion of mandatory internships or professional practice periods. Thanks to this system, professionals belonging to these categories can access their profession in another Member State without undergoing complex additional assessments.

For professions not covered by automatic recognition, the directive provides for a general recognition system. Under this framework, the competent authority of the host State examines the applicant’s academic qualifications, practical training, and professional experience in order to determine whether they correspond to the national requirements applicable to the profession.

If substantial differences are identified between the applicant’s training and the standards required in the host country, the authorities may impose compensatory measures aimed at filling those gaps. These measures may involve an adaptation period, during which the professional practices under supervision for a limited time, or an aptitude test designed to assess the applicant’s professional knowledge and skills.

An essential aspect of the European system is the cooperation between national authorities. The directive encourages Member States to exchange information regarding professional qualifications, disciplinary sanctions, and the authenticity of educational credentials. This cooperation helps ensure transparency, prevent fraud, and strengthen trust between national administrations involved in recognition procedures.

Despite its broad scope, the directive also contains certain limitations and exclusions. For example, it does not apply to notaries appointed through official governmental acts, nor does it replace specific agreements that Member States may have concluded for particular professions or sectors.

In Italy, Directive 2005/36/EC was implemented through Legislative Decree No. 206 of 9 November 2007. The decree regulates the procedures for recognizing professional qualifications obtained in other European Union countries and identifies the authorities responsible for handling applications. Depending on the profession involved, these authorities may include ministries, professional associations, or other public bodies entrusted with supervising regulated professions.

Today, the recognition of professional qualifications plays a crucial role in strengthening labor mobility across Europe. At the same time, the system seeks to preserve high professional standards and protect public interests by ensuring that all professionals possess the skills and competencies required to practice safely and effectively within the host country.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.

Article written by Alessia Ajelli, Managing Associate of LCA Studio Legale, Italian lawyer specialized on Italian immigration and citizenship law.