Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications

Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications

The Directive 2005/36/EC came into force on 10 October 2005 and replaced the general and sectoral directives (apart from the directives regarding lawyers). The Member States of the European Union had to implement the Directive in its national law by 20 October 2007.

Corrigendum of 16 October 2007

Corrigendum of 4 April 2008

Corrigendum of 3 February 2009 (in German only)

Corrigendum of 24 October 2014

Commission Regulation amending Annexes II and III of 05 December 2007

Commission Regulation amending Annex II of 31 July 2008

Commission Regulation amending Annex II of 6 April 2009

Commission Regulation amending Annexes II and V of 3 March 2011

Commission Regulation amending Annex II of 11 July 2012

Commission Delegated Decision amending Annex V of 13 January 2016

Directive 2013/55/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013 amending Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications and Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System (‘the IMI Regulation’)

The directive 2013/55/EU is in force since 17/01/2014. EU member states are expected to enforce and implement it by 18/01/2016.

Adapting the Directive on the occasion of Bulgaria's, Romania's and Croatia's admission to the EU

Council Directive 2006/100/EC of 20 November 2006 adapting certain Directives in the field of freedom of movement of persons, by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania

This directive is in force since 01/01/2007.

Council Directive 2013/25/EU of 13 May 2013 adapting certain directives in the field of right of establishment and freedom to provide services, by reason of the accession of the Republic of Croatia

Lawyers

Directive 98/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 1998 to facilitate practice of the profession of lawyer on a permanent basis in a Member State other than that in which the qualification was obtained

Council Directive 77/249/EEC of 22 March 1977 to facilitate the effective exercise by lawyers of freedom to provide services

Academic and professional recognition in the EU, EEA and Switzerland (as of October 2009, in German only)

Recognition process according to general directives (in German only)

Recognition process according to Directive 2005/36/EC (in German only)

Diplomas obtained in a third country: Recognition according to the EU Directives (as of June 2003, in German only)

Medical professions: Professional recognition / German medical professions (as of February 2006, in German only)

New Member States: Professional recognition (as of April 2004, in German only)

Summary of EU legislation

Regulated professions database

Grundsätze zur Bewertung und Anerkennung von Fachmittelschulabschlüssen aus Polen und anderen osteuropäischen Ländern bei Berechtigten nach dem Bundesvertriebenengesetz vom 10.09.1993 (in German only)