EU to Cut Recognition Time for Foreign Diplomas to Four Months

European Commission

The European Commission has presented the Fair Labour Mobility package, designed to make it easier for professionals with qualifications obtained outside the EU to find employment. The recognition process is expected to be shortened from 14 to four months, while employers’ administrative costs could be halved. The reform also provides for the digitalisation of documents and common approaches to assessing professional qualifications.

Common Rules for Diplomas from Outside the EU

EU member states currently determine their own procedures for assessing professional qualifications obtained outside the bloc. Differences in national requirements complicate employment and lengthen the process. The European Commission proposes introducing common standards that would apply across the EU.

The new system would cover not only third-country nationals who work or plan to work in the European Union, but also EU citizens who obtained their qualifications outside the bloc. National authorities would retain the right to set entry conditions for foreign workers and requirements for access to professional activities.

Automatic recognition is envisaged for seven regulated professions: doctors, general care nurses, dentists, midwives, veterinary surgeons, pharmacists and architects. The mechanism would apply only to programmes offered by accredited institutions outside the EU that have undergone assessment under the European quality assurance system.

Recognition Procedures for Regulated Professions to Be Simplified

The changes would also affect professionals moving from one EU country to another for work. For regulated professions, the European Commission proposes moving the recognition procedure to a digital system. Where automatic recognition applies, the processing time is expected to fall from three months to five weeks.

The list of professions covered by this system is also expected to expand. The first new common standard has already been adopted for physiotherapists. A preliminary list of another ten professions includes civil engineers, biomedical laboratory specialists and electricians.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu noted that existing procedures remain complex and lengthy. The reform is intended to make it easier for professionals to move within the single market and help companies find the workers they need more quickly.

Documents to Go Digital

Information on education and professional training will be issued in a standardised electronic format and stored in the EU Digital Identity Wallet. This will allow employers and public authorities to verify the authenticity of documents more quickly.

The European Commission also proposes creating a free service for comparing qualifications across countries. It is intended to help assess applicants’ education without lengthy exchanges of certificates between public authorities.

Digitalisation will also extend to social security. Under the European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS), the European Health Insurance Card and the A1 form will become available electronically. The latter confirms which country's social security system covers an employee temporarily working abroad. These documents will also be stored in the digital wallet and can be presented in other EU member states.

The A1 form is expected to move to the new system one year after the ESSPASS regulation enters into force, while the European Health Insurance Card and other documents will follow within three years. Member states will also have three years to introduce digital qualifications and updated procedures for regulated professions.

Reform to Cover the Labour Market and Social Security

The Fair Labour Mobility Package consists of five legislative initiatives. In addition to new rules for recognising professional qualifications and digitalising documents, it provides for expanded powers for the European Labour Authority (ELA).

The agency will be able to play a greater role in cross-border inspections, coordinate national labour inspectorates and conduct risk assessments. Its remit will also be extended to tackling undeclared work and violations of the rights of workers from outside the EU. A simplified mediation mechanism is intended to resolve disputes between member states over labour mobility and social security more quickly without going to court.

The European Commission expects the changes to facilitate labour mobility while reducing administrative costs for businesses. Once fully implemented, the package is estimated to generate around €6 billion in economic benefits by 2040 through faster administrative procedures, digital document verification and reduced fraud.

In 2024, 14 million EU citizens lived in another member state, more than 10 million of whom were of working age. At the same time, 18% of respondents to a Eurobarometer survey said they would like to work abroad. The new rules are intended to remove some of the administrative barriers that currently restrict such mobility.

The first changes to the ELA are expected in 2028–2030 following approval of its new mandate. Other provisions of the package will be introduced gradually after adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.

Labour Shortages Are Changing the EU’s Approach to Migration

The proposals must be approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU before a transition period can begin. The new system for recognising professional qualifications obtained by third-country nationals is expected to be introduced within two years, while digital qualifications and updated procedures for regulated professions should follow within three. The European Commission aims to reach a political agreement on the Fair Labour Mobility package in the third quarter of 2027, according to its roadmap for strengthening the single market.

Analysts at International Investment note that labour shortages are becoming an increasingly serious challenge for the European economy. EU countries are seeking to make greater use of domestic labour reserves, including by encouraging employment among older people, but these measures are not sufficient. Demographic trends are increasing the need to attract professionals from abroad.

At the same time, the EU is becoming more selective in its approach to migration. Authorities are tightening measures against irregular entry and accelerating the return of people who have no right to remain in the bloc, while creating new mechanisms to attract workers in occupations facing shortages. In June 2026, the regulation establishing the EU Talent Pool entered into force. The first EU-wide platform connecting employers with jobseekers from third countries is expected to become operational by the end of 2027.

Faster recognition of foreign qualifications is part of the same policy shift. Faced with growing labour shortages, the EU is seeking to curb irregular migration while creating simpler legal pathways for professionals needed by the European economy.