It is fundamental to EU law that citizens should have the freedom to establish themselves and work anywhere in the EU. In 2005, the EU adopted an amended directive governing the recognition of professional qualifications in the EU which aims to clarify and consolidate the current rules in place and to facilitate free movement of qualified professionals between Member States. The professions affected by the directive include: architects; dentists; doctors; midwives; lawyers; nurses; pharmacists; veterinary surgeons.

The directive consolidated fifteen existing EU Directives on the recognition of qualifications. The directive includes greater liberalisation of the provision of services, more automatic recognition of qualifications and increased flexibility in the procedures for updating the directive. In this way, the directive will contribute to the goal of the EU’s Lisbon strategy to make the European economy more dynamic and competitive.

Full details of this directive and more information on the recognition of professional qualifications in general can be found on the European Commission’s website.