cs flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by CTK.

Recognition of professional qualifications in the EU remains a major issue, an audit found

by AI | 03.Jul 2024 | Europe in brief AI

Issues include, for example, insufficient digitalization, requiring additional documents beyond the scope of EU regulations, and long processing times for applications.

The midwife listens to the pregnant woman's heartbeat. Photo: Uli Deck/dpa +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

“`html

Brussels/Luxembourg – Residents of the European Union who want to work or start a business in another member state of the twenty-seven still face many obstacles. A major issue remains the recognition of professional qualifications, according to a new report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). Experts in connection with the audit visited four member states – Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, and Luxembourg – and identified a number of problems. These include, for example, insufficient digitalization, requiring additional documents beyond what is stipulated by union regulations, and long processing times for applications.

Already in 2005, the European Union adopted a directive aimed at simplifying the recognition of professional qualifications and preventing member states from imposing unreasonable conditions on people. However, the way national authorities and the European Commission (EC) apply the directive has shortcomings. “We found that there are no electronic procedures, fees for recognition are set arbitrarily and vary significantly between member states, authorities also require more documents than the directive stipulates,” the auditors stated. They also identified instances where member states require applicants to meet certain conditions, such as undergoing training or exams, without explaining this step to them. The auditors’ report focused on four professions: nurse and caregiver responsible for general care, secondary school teacher, carpenter/joiner, and civil engineer. These occupations are identified as those where the EU workforce is most lacking and are among the 25 most mobile professions.

Member states continue to regulate access to certain professions for health and safety reasons. The number of so-called regulated professions, those where member states set their own rules, varies significantly. For example, Hungary regulates 415 professions, with the Czech Republic in second place with 365 professions, followed by Poland (352), Slovakia (297), and Slovenia (284). On the other end of the spectrum are Lithuania (88), Estonia (107), Bulgaria (109), Cyprus (115), and Malta (138).

The report also mentions several specific examples of inconsistencies, for instance, in the Czech Republic in relation to digitalization. “Data boxes and verified electronic signatures are accepted but require additional administrative procedures (a personal meeting at the embassy for non-Czech citizens, or filling out printed documents for an electronic signature),” states the document.

The EU directive on the recognition of professional qualifications was to be incorporated into national law by 2016. In 2018 and 2019, the European Commission initiated infringement proceedings regarding professional qualifications. This involved all member states. As of February this year, infringement proceedings were still ongoing in a total of 12 member states, including the Czech Republic, and 75 issues continued to persist in all member states according to the auditors.

“`