Europäischer Berufsausweis Anerkennung

With the European Professional Card (EBA), you can have certain professional qualifications recognised within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) via an online procedure.

The European Professional Card is an electronic proof of the recognition of your professional qualification in another country of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). The professional card will be issued to you upon application in an online procedure (EBA procedure). The EBA procedure is simple and fast.

You can currently apply for the European Professional Card for the following professional qualifications from the EU and the EEA:
Nurse or nurse (general care nurse)

• Pharmacist
• Physiotherapist
• Mountain guide
• Real estate agent

The advantages of the European Professional Card are:

• The competent authority in your country of origin will help you with your application and check that it is correctly completed and complete. The competent authority will also check the authenticity and validity of your documents.
• The competent authority in the host country will then automatically receive all documents and check your professional qualification (professional recognition). Thanks to the online procedure, you always know where your documents are being processed.
• Your documents remain in the online system. If you move to another host country, you can submit a new application more quickly.
• If the competent authority in the host country does not take a decision within the prescribed period, you will automatically receive the professional card.
• You can get a certificate as a PDF file and present it to a potential employer. The employer can check the certificate online.

Attention: Even with the European Professional Card, you often still have to apply for a special permit so that you can work in the profession. In some professions, you will also need to prove your language skills in the language of the host country.

The points of single contact or the competent authorities of the host country will assist you in the procedure.
 

The necessary documents depend on the profession for which you are applying for the European Professional Card. The electronic application wizard on the European Commission's website will provide you with the required documents.

As a rule, the following documents are required:

• Proof of identity (passport or identity card)
• If your name has changed: your marriage certificate or an equivalent official document
• Diploma or certificate of completion of your professional qualification
• Proof that you are allowed to practice the profession in your country of origin and have not been criminally convicted (Certificate of Good Standing)
• Possibly a certificate of conformity
• Possibly a proof of health

Note: You may need to have the documents translated into the language of the host country. Translations must be carried out by publicly appointed or authorised translators.

You will need one of the following professional qualifications from an EU or EEA country:

• Nurse or nurse (general care nurse)
• Pharmacist
• Physiotherapist
• Mountain guide
• Real estate agent

If you did not obtain your professional qualification in the EU or EEA, you may also be able to apply for a European Professional Card. The following requirements apply:

• Your professional qualification has already been recognised in an EU or EEA country and
• You have practiced your profession in this country for at least three years after your professional qualification has been recognised.

The processing of your application may incur costs in the country of origin and in the host country. The cost differs depending on the country and profession.

You can estimate the costs in advance on the European Commission's website on the European Professional Card.

In addition, additional costs may arise (e.g. for translations and certifications of your documents). These costs vary from person to person.

To apply for the European Professional Card, you need an online account with the European Commission.

• The online account with the European Commission is free of charge. To do this, you register with the European Commission's authentication service ("EU Login").
• Then create your profile with your personal details (identity card or passport number, name, nationality) and your contact details (address, e-mail address, telephone number, etc.). Your personal details will be included in your European Professional Card.
• Once you have created your profile, you can apply for the European Professional Card. To do this, go to the European Commission's website on the European Professional Card and select "Access to the EBA procedure".
• When applying, you will find out which documents the host country needs for the recognition of your professional qualification. You can upload the documents directly. Please upload each document as a separate file.
• The competent authority will process your application and, if necessary, send it to the competent authority in the host country for further processing.
• Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to change your personal details. An update can only be made by the competent authority that processes your application. However, you can update your contact details at any time.
• After your application is approved, you can create an EBA certificate in PDF format. The EBA certificate shall contain a reference number. With this reference number, your future employer can check the validity of your European Professional Card online.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a notification. You can take legal action against the decision of the competent authority. The decision will then be reviewed. Details can be found in the information on legal remedies at the end of your decision. We recommend that you first talk to the competent authority before taking legal action against the decision.

Note: The competent authority in your country of origin will confirm that your documents have arrived within one week. It will let you know if any documents are missing.

The processing time depends on your profession and whether you want to work temporarily or permanently in the host country. If your profession could have an impact on public health and safety, a special check in the host country may be necessary.

Temporary activity (service)

• A maximum of 3 weeks if no special check is required in the host country.
• A maximum of 4 months if a special check is required in the host country. The competent authority in the country of origin will examine your application within a maximum of one month. Subsequently, the competent authority in the host country will decide in a maximum of 3 months.

Permanent activity (branch)

• A maximum of 4 months for professions without automatic recognition. The competent authority in the country of origin will examine your application within a maximum of one month. Subsequently, the competent authority in the host country will decide in a maximum of 3 months.
• A maximum of 3 months for professions with automatic recognition (pharmacist, nurse). The competent authority in the country of origin will examine your application within a maximum of one month. Subsequently, the competent authority in the host country will decide in a maximum of 2 months.

Note: If the competent authority of the host country does not take a decision within the specified periods, your professional qualification will automatically be considered recognised.

Period of validity of the European Professional Card:

• in the case of temporary work (service): In most cases, 18 months. If your profession could have an impact on public health and safety and is not automatically recognised (e.g. physiotherapists and mountain guides): 12 months
• in the case of permanent employment (establishment): indefinite

For other professional qualifications, you must go through the regular recognition procedures of the host country. For more information, please contact the responsible Point of Single Contact.

• European Professional Card (EBA)
• English: European Professional Card (EPC)
• The European Professional Card is an online procedure of the European Union (EU)
• The European Professional Card can be used to have certain professional qualifications recognised within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA)
• You can use the European Professional Card if you want to work permanently or temporarily in another EU or EEA country
• Currently, it is possible to apply for the European Professional Card for the following professional qualifications:
  • Nurse or nurse (general care nurse)
  • Pharmacist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Mountain guide
  • Real estate agent
• The European Professional Card is not an identity document or identity card, it is an online procedure; the applicant will receive a certificate that can be checked online
• Attention: Even with the professional card, you may still have to apply for a professional license or a permit to use the professional title; only then are you allowed to work in the profession or bear the job title
• The competent authority and the points of single contact shall provide support in the procedure
• Responsible: respective competent authorities in the country of origin and host country

Forms: no

Online procedure possible: yes

Written form required: no

Personal appearance required: no