Free movement of workers in the EU
Nationals of the member states of the European Union (EU), of the European Economic Area (EEA) and of Switzerland are entitled to work freely in all 27 countries of the EU.
The member states of the European Union are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
The member states of the EEA include all EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Recognition of professional qualifications in the EU/EEA
To support free movement, EU law allows qualifications in certain ‘regulated’ professions to be recognised throughout the EU. If you come to Ireland from another country and wish to practise a regulated profession here, you will be able to do so once your qualifications have been recognised.
To get your qualifications recognised, you should:
- Check whether you need to do so (whether your profession is regulated)
- Apply for recognition to the appropriate regulatory body
See below for how to apply for recognition.
EU law identifies certain professions but also applies in general to other regulated professionals unless stated otherwise.
Which laws apply?
- Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications
- Other profession-specific EU legislation
Where can I check if my profession is regulated in Ireland?
- Check the European Commission’s central database. The database will tell you if your profession is regulated in Ireland and, if so, whether you need to get your qualifications recognised.
- You can also see a list of professions that are regulated in Ireland, and their regulatory bodies, on the Department of Education website.
What happens if my profession is unregulated in Ireland?
If your profession is not regulated in Ireland, you can take up work here without having to get formal recognition for the professional qualification you have gained from your home country.
For example, if you are a mountain guide from Austria, you can apply for mountain-guiding jobs in Ireland without having to get your qualifications recognised, as mountain guiding is not a regulated profession here.
Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications
Who can have their professional qualifications recognised under the Directive?
The Directive allows professionals who are fully qualified to practise a profession in one member state to practise the same profession in another member state.
The Directive applies to:
- EU nationals and nationals of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
- Nationals of any other non-EU or non-EEA countries if they:
- Hold a qualification from an EU or EEA country, and
- Are a family member of an EU citizen
What if I am not an EU/EEA national but I hold an Irish qualification?
You can have your Irish qualification recognised so that you can work in any EU or EEA country if you are any of the following:
- A lawful long-term resident in that country
- The holder of an EU blue card
- A seasonal worker
- A declared refugee
- The family member of an EU citizen
Conditions
- Your qualification must have been awarded by a competent authority in the EU/EEA.
- The profession you want to practise in a different member state must be equivalent to the profession you are qualified for in your home member state.
For example, a nurse who qualified in Bulgaria can work in an Irish hospital after getting their qualification recognised here. A US doctor who moved here with their French spouse after completing a medical degree at a French university can also have their qualification recognised here.
What professions does the Directive apply to?
Under the Directive, a wide range of professional qualifications are eligible for recognition. Depending on your particular profession, level of qualification or type of work, recognition may be:
- Automatic
- Case by case
- Temporary
Certain professions are not covered by the Directive but have specific rules. These professions are covered separately in the section below: ‘What professions are not covered by the Directive?’
Which professions have automatic recognition?
The following professions are recognised automatically under the Directive, provided you meet a certain minimum level of qualification:
- Architects
- Dentists
- Doctors
- Midwives
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Veterinary surgeons
Who is responsible for the automatic recognition of these qualifications?
The ‘competent authority’ that approves qualification for each profession is generally its regulatory body. This body recognises and registers your qualifications. You can find a list of regulatory bodies in the Directive below.
For example, a Romanian dentist living in Ireland must apply to the Dental Council of Ireland for automatic recognition. A German midwife living here must apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.
The levels of qualification needed for automatic recognition are listed below.
What if my profession does not get automatic recognition or if I do not hold the minimum level of qualifications?
You may still be eligible to have your qualification recognised on a case-by-case basis.
Which professions can get case-by-case recognition?
Under the Directive, other regulated professional qualifications can be recognised on a case-by-case basis. These professions include:
- Electrician
- Teacher
- Architect (where your qualifications do not meet the requirements for automatic recognition)
- Doctor (where your qualifications do not meet the requirements for automatic recognition)
- Accountant
- Pharmacist (where your qualifications do not meet the requirements for automatic recognition)
- Estate agent
- Gas installer
- Dental hygienist
- Security guard
- Dietitian/dietician
- Occupational therapist
- Radiographer or radiation therapist
- Social worker
- Speech and language therapist/speech therapist
- Optometrist or dispensing optician
- Physiotherapist
- Articulated dumper operator
- Built-up roof felter
- Crane operator
- Excavator operator
- Underground services locator
- Mini-digger operator
- Scaffolder
- Shot firer
- Road signing, lighting and guarding operative
- Slinger/signaller
- Telescopic handler operator
- Tractor/dozer operator
- Roof and wall cladding/sheeting operator
Do I need to take further tests or training?
Ireland recognises qualifications that give you full recognition in your home country. However, you may also be asked to take an aptitude test, examinations or training, or spend up to three years on an adaptation period, to ensure you meet the minimum Irish standard.
What if my profession is not regulated in my home country?
You may be granted recognition in Ireland if you have worked full time in your profession for one year in the past 10 years, even if the profession is not regulated in your home country. However, you may also be asked to take an aptitude test, examinations or training, or spend up to three years on an adaptation period, to ensure you meet the minimum Irish standard.
How do I apply for recognition under the Directive?
Check whether your profession is regulated in Ireland, and which regulatory body covers it – on the Irish Government website.
You must show official proof of your qualifications. You may have to provide original documents to show what was involved in obtaining those qualifications.
This proof may include:
- Your final degree certificate
- Your transcript, showing:
- Your ID (e.g. name, date of birth, parents’ names)
- nstitutions you have studied at
- Course details (e.g. name of degree, dates, modules)
- Examination results
- Certified translations where necessary
For automatic recognition, proof of minimum qualification should be enough. The minimum qualifications are set out below.
For most regulated professions, the regulatory body can grant recognition online
If English is not your first language, you may have to take an English language test or show evidence of your competence in English.
Where you do not hold the minimum qualifications for automatic recognition or where you are seeking recognition on a case-by-case basis, your qualifications may entitle you to partial recognition. Partial recognition may allow you to practise your profession in Ireland without taking further tests or training.
Example: A Latvian GP wishing to practise in Ireland must:
- Consult the Medical Council’s eligibility chart
- Register for an online application account at medicalcouncil.ie
- Submit an online application for assessment
- Submit supporting documents
- Await a decision of the Medical Council
What is the European Professional Card?
The European Professional Card (EPC) is an electronic system allowing certain professional qualifications to be recognised in another EU/EEA country. It is not a physical card but is electronic proof that you have passed administrative checks.
Which professions can use the EPC?
You can use the EPC if you are a:
- Nurse responsible for general care
- Pharmacist
- Physiotherapist
- Real estate agent
In other EU countries, you can use the EPC to work as a mountain guide. This does not apply in Ireland, as mountain guiding is not a regulated profession here.
How do I apply for an EPC?
You apply for the EPC on the Europa website.
After you get the EPC, and before you take up employment in Ireland, you must register with the relevant regulatory body. See below.
For example, a Spanish pharmacist living in Ireland can apply for an EPC online and then must register with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.
Can I get temporary recognition under the Directive?
You may seek temporary recognition for your qualification if you are working for a limited time in a member state. The rules and requirements for temporary arrangements are different from those for long-term work.
Temporary recognition is assessed on a case-by-case basis. The regulatory body will ask how long, how often or how regularly you will be working here.
It may ask for a written declaration in advance. It may also check your professional qualifications before you can provide services for the first time. This applies in particular where your work may affect public health or safety, or where it does not qualify for automatic recognition.
In other cases, you may get temporary recognition if you declare in advance of starting work that you have the correct qualifications. You may also have to provide your clients with certain information. You may need to inform the public social security bodies in advance (or afterwards, in urgent circumstances) about the temporary services you are providing.
For example, a Portuguese midwife can apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for temporary recognition in the same way as for permanent recognition. Before making a decision, the Board will ask how long, how often or how regularly or continuously the midwife intends to practise in Ireland.
What professions are not covered by the Directive?
Certain professions have their own specific legislation. In Ireland, these are:
- Lawyers
- Statutory auditors
- Insurance intermediaries
In other member states, the list includes sailors, seafarers, road haulage and road passenger transport operators, commercial agents and certain professions handling toxic agents.
However, these professions are not regulated in Ireland and so do not require recognition.
- Statutory auditors, depending on their specific qualification, must apply to the relevant accountancy regulatory body. These bodies are set out on the Department of Education’s list of regulated professions and regulatory bodies.
- Insurance intermediaries must apply to the Central Bank of Ireland for authorisation and registration.
- The qualification of lawyers is regulated in Ireland by the Honourable Society of King’s Inns for barristers and the Law Society of Ireland for solicitors.
For these professions, the regulatory body will examine your individual qualifications and supporting documents and may grant you full or partial recognition.
How do I get started?
If you believe that you are entitled to recognition of your qualification, we recommend that you contact the relevant regulatory body in Ireland. They will be able to advise you on what to do, as well as timeframes, fees and the documents you will need.
If you are not sure whether or not you have the right qualifications for recognition, do not start work before they have been approved.
To make the process easier, ensure that your documents and translations (if required) have been officially certified by authorities in your home country.
What happens if my application for recognition is refused?
If a regulatory body refuses your application, they must tell you why. Some will allow you to appeal the decision, but others may require you to apply again. If you must apply again, you may have to pay another fee.
If you choose to appeal or apply again, ensure you address the reasons for refusal – for example, by providing further supporting documents.
If you believe that you have been refused incorrectly, you should contact the regulatory body to sort out the issue. Alternatively, ask a solicitor as soon as possible for advice on your options – for example, whether to appeal to the High Court.
Submitting false or fraudulent documents to a regulatory body may be a criminal offence. In this situation, the regulatory body may bar you from applying again, or may inform the regulatory bodies of other member states, including your home country.
What happens if I am a national of the United Kingdom?
Since 1 January 2021, mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the EU and the UK has no longer applied, and UK nationals cannot use the Directive.
However, if you are a UK national, you can apply for recognition of your professional qualifications in the same way as a national of a non-EU/EEA country, as set out above.
Also, some regulatory bodies may still recognise UK qualifications on the basis of their own rules on the qualifications of people from outside the EU or EEA.
If you had your UK qualification recognised by a regulatory body before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, there will be no change and you can continue to practise in Ireland or elsewhere in the EU.
Examples:
- A British veterinary surgeon who qualified at a Spanish university and who lives in Ireland with their Spanish spouse can have their qualification recognised under the Directive.
- A British vet who qualified at a British university and who lives in Ireland can apply to the Veterinary Council of Ireland to have their qualification recognised under rules for third-country nationals.
- A British vet who qualified at a British university and who lives in Ireland and had their qualification recognised by the Veterinary Council of Ireland before 31 December 2020 is not required to have their qualification recognised again and they can practise.
Competent authorities and regulatory bodies for automatic recognition
| Profession | Competent Authority / Regulatory Body |
|---|---|
| Architects | "The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland 8 Merrion Square Dublin 2 Phone: 00 353 1 676 1703 Website: www.riai.ie Email: info@riai.ie" |
| Dentists | "The Dental Council 57 Merrion Square Dublin 2 Phone: 00 353 1 676 2069 Website: www.dentalcouncil.ie Email: info@dentalcouncil.ie |
| Doctors | "Medical Council Kingram House Kingram Place Dublin 2 Phone: 00 353 1 498 3100 Website: www.medicalcouncil.ie Email: educationandtraining@mcirl.ie " |
| Midwives | "Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland 18-20 Carysfort Avenue Blackrock Co Dublin Phone: 00 353 1 639 8500 Website: www.nmbi.ie" |
| Nurses | "Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland 18-20 Carysfort Avenue Blackrock Co Dublin Phone: 00 353 1 639 8500 Website: www.nmbi.ie |
| Pharmacists | "The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland PSI House Fenian Street Dublin 2 Phone: 00 353 1 218 4000 Website: www.thepsi.ie Email: info@thepsi.ie " |
| Veterinary surgeons | "Veterinary Council of Ireland 53 Lansdowne Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Phone: 00 353 1 668 4402 Website: www.vci.ie Email: info@vci.ie " |
Minimum qualifications for automatic recognition
| Profession | Minimum qualification |
|---|---|
| Architects | The authorities in any EU country must recognise any of the architects' qualifications listed in - Annex V, point 5.7.1 of the Directive or - Annex VI of the Directive, provided your studies started no later than the academic year mentioned Professional qualifications are automatically recognised if they are from a university or equivalent-level institution and if the studies: - Lasted at least five years full time or four years full time with the completion of two years' professional traineeship - Had architecture as the principal component - Had theoretical and practical components - Taught the basic knowledge, skills and competences listed in Article 46(2) of the Directive |
| Dentists | Basic dentists qualifications The authorities in any EU country must automatically recognise any of the basic dentists qualifications listed in - Annex V, point 5.3.2 of the Directive All these qualifications meet the basic criteria for automatic recognition, which are: - At least five years full-time theoretical and practical study, amounting to at least 5,000 hours - Coverage of the knowledge and skills listed in Article 34 and Annex V point 5.3.1 of the Directive If the qualification is not listed in Annex V point 5.3.2 because it does not meet the basic criteria, it may still be recognised under an acquired rights regime: dentists must demonstrate at least three years professional experience within the last five years (Art. 23). Specialist dentists qualifications Some specialist dentists' qualifications are automatically recognised in certain EU countries. These are listed in Annex V point 5.3.3 of the Directive |
| Doctors | Basic medical training Basic medical training is automatically recognised throughout the EU. This entitles doctors to access the profession in any EU country if their training: - Is listed in Annex V point 5.1.1 of Directive 2005/36/EC, which conforms to Art. 24 of the Directive or - Benefits from acquired rights (Art. 23 and 30 of the Directive) General practitioner qualifications General practitioner (GP) training is automatically recognised throughout the EU. This entitles doctors to work in any EU country if their training: - Is listed in Annex V point 5.1.4 of Directive 2005/36/EC, which conforms to Art. 28 of the Directive or - Benefits from acquired rights (Art. 30 of the Directive) Specialist doctors qualifications 56 specialist doctors qualifications are automatically recognised in certain EU countries. These are listed in Annex V, point 5.1.3 of the Directive. |
| Midwives | The authorities in all EU countries must recognise any of the midwives qualifications listed in Annex V point 5.2, provided they are issued after: - Three years full-time midwife training, plus - Two years professional practice, depending on the level of the diploma or - Successful completion of general-care nurse training, plus - Full-time midwife training of at least two years or 3,600 hours or - Successful completion of general-care nurse training, plus - Full-time midwife training of at least 18 months or 3,000 hours, plus - One years professional practice as a midwife For more details on the training requirements for automatic recognition of midwives qualifications, see Articles 4043 and Annex V point 5.5.1 of the Directive. If the qualification is not listed in Annex V point 5.5.2 because it does not meet the basic criteria, it may still be recognised under an acquired rights regime. This means midwives need to demonstrate at least three years professional experience within the last five years (Art. 23, but see Art. 43 for other situations). |
| Nurses | Minimum training required for automatic recognition of professional qualifications for general care nurses is at least three years full-time study and 4,600 hours. This training must cover the subjects mentioned in Annex V point 5.2.1 of the Directive. For a list of all qualifications that meet these requirements, see the list of general care nurse qualifications in point 5.2.2 of Annex V of the Directive. If the qualification is not listed in Annex V point 5.2.2 because it does not meet the basic criteria, it may still be recognised under an acquired rights regime. This means general care nurses must demonstrate at least three years professional experience within the last five years (Art. 23). There is no automatic recognition for specialist nurses. |
| Pharmacists | The authorities in any EU country must recognise any of the pharmacists qualifications listed in Annex V, point 5.6.2 of the Directive. All these qualifications meet the basic criteria for automatic recognition, which are: - Training of at least five years, including four4 years full-time theoretical and practical study and a 6-month traineeship in a pharmacy - Coverage of the knowledge and skills listed in Article 44 and Annex V, point 5.6.1 of the Directive If the qualification is not listed in Annex V point 5.6.2 because it does not meet the basic criteria, it may still be recognised under an acquired rights regime. This means pharmacists must demonstrate at least three years professional experience within the last five years (Art. 23). The authorities in some EU countries may require pharmacists to have a certain amount of professional experience before allowing them to carry out certain functions. |
| Veterinary surgeons | The authorities in any EU country must recognise any of the veterinary qualifications listed in: Annex V point 5.4.2 of the Directive. All these qualifications meet the basic criteria for automatic recognition, which are: - At least five years full-time theoretical and practical study - Coverage of the subjects listed in Annex V point 5.4.1 of the Directive If the qualification is not listed in Annex V point 5.4.2 because it does not meet the basic criteria, it may still be recognised under an acquired rights regime. This means vets must demonstrate at least three years professional experience within the last five years (Art. 23, but see Art. 39 for other situations).
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