EU Proposes New Rules for Non-EU Qualifications Recognition

The European Commission has proposed new rules to recognise non-EU professional qualifications.

This proposal aims to speed up hiring for workers living in Denmark and Sweden.

Currently, non-EU nationals face complex and fragmented recognition procedures in each member state.

An official EU assessment shows the process costs around 1,500 euros on average.

It also takes an average of 14.2 months to complete.

About 70 percent of non-EU citizens surveyed consider this long delay a big problem.

The EU currently faces structural shortages of skilled labor across many essential sectors.

Many non-EU nationals also experience skills waste by taking jobs below their qualifications.

Under the draft directive, documentation requirements will be aligned across all EU countries.

The proposal sets strict deadlines to reduce waiting times and guarantees appeal rights.

Recognition decisions will still remain specific to each individual EU member state.

The rules would automatically recognise qualifications for seven specific regulated professions.

These professions include doctors, general nurses, dental practitioners, midwives, veterinary surgeons, pharmacists, and architects.

Automatic recognition applies to accredited institutions reviewed by trusted European agencies.

This new directive reported by The Local Denmark will cover current and future residents.