What is a regulated profession

As a general rule, a profession is regulated if you have to hold a specific degree to access the profession, sit special exams such as state exams and/or register with a professional body before you can practise it.

If your profession is regulated in the EU country where you want to practise, you may need to apply to get your professional qualification recognised there.

How to use the regulated professions database

• select the EU country where your qualification was awarded and the country you want to work in
• search for your profession in your native language

If the profession you want to exercise does not appear, it may mean that it's not regulated in the country you are moving to.

If you don't find any information about your profession in the database, you can ask the national contact points for professional qualifications in the country where you want to work. They can help you understand the rules which apply in your case.

Specific EU rules apply to the recognition of professional qualifications of certain sectors such as lawyers, air traffic controllers, pilots, etc..

Check if you need to apply for recognition of professional qualifications and what type of application you need to submit.

Did you obtain your professional qualification from an EU country?

• Yes
• No

What is your situation?

• I am a doctor, a nurse for general care, a midwife, a dental practitioner, a pharmacist, an architect or a veterinary surgeon.
• I work in a different sector.

If you have obtained your qualification from a non-EU country and you want to work in an EU country, you need to get it recognised in the EU country where you want to work. In this case, your application for professional recognition is subject to national rules.

If you want to move to another EU country and you have already worked for at least 3 years in the EU country that has first recognised your qualifications, you can apply for professional recognition in another EU country under the rules that apply to professionals that have received their qualification from an EU country.

To prove that you have the necessary experience to exercise your profession, you may need a certificate issued by the EU country that first recognised your qualifications. This applies to both EU citizens and non-EU citizens.

As a doctor, nurse for general care, midwife, dental practitioner, pharmacist, architect and veterinary surgeon, you enjoy automatic recognition of your professional qualification. You will need to submit proof of your qualification and wait for permission from the authorities before you can start working.

In addition to your professional certificates, you may need to submit other supporting documents to the competent authorities depending on your profession and the country you are moving to.

Once the relevant national authorities receive your documents, they:

• have to acknowledge receipt within 1 month
• may ask you for additional documents
• have to take a decision within 3 months of receiving your certification papers.

If you are a nurse responsible for general care or a pharmacist, you can use the European Professional Card (EPC) – a quicker and easier electronic procedure - to submit your documents, keep track of your online applications and re-use documents previously uploaded.

You may be required to sit a language test or become a member of the professional association in your host country before you can start practising your profession there.

• My profession is regulated in the EU country I am moving to.
• My profession isn't regulated in the EU country I am moving to.

You don't need to request permission or start any administrative procedure. You can practise your profession in your new EU country under the same conditions as the nationals of that country.

Always check with the national authorities of your new country if your profession is regulated there or not. The national contact point for professional qualifications will help you identify the authority that can give you this information.

• I am moving permanently and want to practice my profession in my host country.
• I want to provide my services temporarily in my host country.

You need to apply for recognition of professional qualifications in your new country before you can practise.

Check what documents you need to submit when applying for the recognition of your professional qualification.

If you are a physiotherapist, a mountain guide, or a real estate agent, you can use the European Professional Card – a quicker and easier electronic procedure - to submit your documents, keep track of your online applications and re-use already documents previously uploaded.

You may be asked to sit a language test or become a member of a professional association in your host country before you can start practising.

Always check with the national authorities of your new country if your profession is regulated there or not. The national contact point for professional qualifications will help you identify the authority that can give you this information.

You don't need to apply for recognition of professional qualifications except for professions having health and safety implications. However, your may need to submit a prior written declaration (paper or electronic) in the country you're going to before you can practise your profession.

To get your qualifications recognised in your new country, you will need to prove that you have exercised your profession in your home country for at least 1 year during the last 10 years.

You may need to renew your declaration once a year if you intend to continue providing temporary services in the same host country.

To find out if this is required check with the contact point for professional qualifications in the host country.

Check what else you may need before you submit your written declaration.

You may be asked to sit a language test or become a member of a professional association in your host country before you can start practising.

Get access to national information below.