The European Commission has introduced new legislative proposals designed to simplify the recognition of professional qualifications for individuals moving to the bloc from outside the European Union. By streamlining these procedures, the Commission intends to address structural skilled labor shortages and prevent "skills waste," where non-EU nationals are frequently employed in roles for which they are overqualified. The initiative is also intended to help EU employers accelerate the recruitment of talent from outside the bloc.
Currently, the EU lacks unified regulations governing the recognition of qualifications for third-country nationals. The existing Professional Qualifications Directive is tied to single market legislation, restricting its scope to EU citizens. Consequently, non-EU nationals must rely on limited provisions regarding equal treatment with citizens of the member state concerned. This results in a system that the Commission describes as "fragmented, overly complex and lacking transparency," as each member state enforces its own independent rules.
According to Commission assessments, these procedures often take an average of 14.2 months to complete and cost approximately €1,500. Research indicates that 70 percent of surveyed non-EU citizens identify the duration of this process as a "big" or "very big" problem.
The proposed directive, the first of its kind specifically for third-country nationals, will apply to individuals already residing in an EU country or those planning to relocate. It covers qualifications obtained either outside the bloc or within another member state, whether the goal is to access a regulated profession, obtain a long-term visa, or secure a residence permit. The initiative seeks to harmonize documentation requirements, set strict deadlines to minimize waiting times, and guarantee appeal rights. However, the Commission noted that recognition decisions will not be automatically transferable between different member states.
A notable feature of the proposal is the establishment of an automatic recognition system for seven specific professions: doctors, nurses responsible for general care, dental practitioners, midwives, veterinary surgeons, pharmacists, and architects. This automatic recognition will be limited to qualifications from accredited institutions that have been reviewed by trusted European agencies to ensure compliance with existing EU common training standards.
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