EU directives regulating the recognition of professional qualifications in the European Union
Introduction
Links to:
Sectoral directives
General system for recognition
- General systems' directives
- Guide for users of the General system of recognition
- Code of conduct aproved by the group of coordinators for the General system
- Contact points for recognition under General system in EU and EEA countries
Expected changes to the system of professional recognition in the EU
- Proposal for a new directive (to join both systems)
- Main changes introduced by SLIM directive and proposed new directive
Some other EU directives concerning professional recognition
Introduction -
which professions have Sectoral directives and
what is the General system for
recognition?
I Sectoral directives
For some of the regulated professions - those of doctor, dentist,
pharmacist, nurse of general care, midwife, veterinary surgeon, architect and
lawyer -recognition of a professional coming from an EU member state in
other EU member states is regulated by the EU sectoral directives that
are individual for each of the professions
See Sectoral directives
See also: SLIM directive amending all Sectoral directives and General systems' directives
II.General system for recognition
General system for recognition is established for all the other regulated professions.
General recognition system differs according to the education
required for the profession in question:
- - higher education studies of at least 3 years duration
- - education and training below 3 years of HE studies
- - mainly professional experience (no formal education)
The SLIM directive of 2001 amends both the General systems' directives and all Sectoral directives
NB!
The MAIN TEXTS of the directives are available from this website,
However, because the directives are being continuously amended,
the links to the AMENDMENTS lead to the Europa server
1. General recognition system for professions
that require at least 3 years of higher education studies
Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years' duration
Incorporated by 21994A0103(38) (OJ L 001 03.01.1994 p.206)
Incorporated by 21994A0103(57) (OJ L 001 03.01.1994 p.371)
Amended by 32001L0019 (OJ L 206 31.07.2001 p.1)
2. General recognition system
for professions
that require education below 3 years of higher education
Council Directive 92/51/EEC of 18 June 1992 on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC
Amended by 194N
Amended by 32000L0005 (OJ L 054 26.02.2000 p.42)
Amended by 32001L0019 (OJ L 206 31.07.2001 p.1)
Amended by 31994L0038 (OJ L 217 23.08.1994 p.8)
Amended by 31995L0043 (OJ L 184 03.08.1995 p.21)
Amended by 31997L0038 (OJ L 184 12.07.1997 p.31)
3. General system for professions for which
recognition is based mainly upon professional experience
Directive 1999/42/EC of the European Parliament and
of the Council of 7 June 1999 establishing a mechanism for the recognition of
qualifications in respect of the professional activities covered by the
Directives on liberalisation and transitional measures and supplementing the
general systems for the recognition of qualifications