Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications provides for a system of recognition of professional experience and promotes automatic recognition of professional experience across the European Union (EU). It covers the European Economic Area and has been amended several times.^[1]

The qualifications of some professions, such as doctors and architects, have been extensively harmonised; in addition, it offers more general guidelines for other professions, that have not been specifically regulated this directive, or other specific rules. Any form of work that would normally be restricted in a member state to people who had gained a professional qualification in that member state are also open to nationals of the EU (and member states of the European Economic Area) who have gained a similar professional qualification in another member state.^[2]

Professions regulated in most or all EU states include:

Accountancy

British-qualified accountants (Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) or Chartered Accountant (ACA or CA) or International Accountant (AIA) in the United Kingdom (UK)

Engineering

Chartered Engineer or EUR ING (European Engineer), Incorporated Engineer (UK), corporate membership of a UK professional engineering institution such as Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology

Teaching

Teachers (qualified teacher status in the UK)

Law

Lawyers (barristers, solicitors and advocates in the UK).

• European Chemist
• European Engineer
• European Qualifications Framework
• Homologation
• Incorporated Engineer