8. Diplomas and qualifications: do you need recognition?

Regulated or not?

A profession is regulated when you need a specific diploma, an exam or registration with a professional body to work in it. In non-regulated professions (most jobs in business, IT, marketing, hospitality and many others) you can work under the same conditions as local workers – the employer decides whether your diploma is enough.

Whether your profession is regulated in the country you want to go to: EU Regulated Professions Database – search by country and profession.

Automatic recognition

Seven professions are recognised automatically across the EU because training rules are harmonised: doctors, general care nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists, architects and vets. You submit proof of your qualification and wait for permission to start work. For these professions, the authorities cannot ask for sworn translations of your diploma.

Other regulated professions

• You apply to the competent authority in the host country.
• It must confirm receipt within 1 month and decide within 3 months (4 months in some cases).
• If your training differs a lot, you may be asked to take an aptitude test or an adaptation period.
• For some professions (for example nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, mountain guides and real estate agents) you can apply online with the European Professional Card.

Recognition of your degree for further study

If you want to continue studying or your employer asks what your degree is worth, the ENIC-NARIC centres in each country give information on the recognition of academic qualifications.

Sources: Your Europe – recognition of professional qualifications · EU Regulated Professions Database · ENIC-NARIC network Checked: 3 October 2026.