Source: BUS Sachsen-Anhalt (Linie6Plus)

Apply for a European Professional Card

Description

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). Upon request, the professional card will be issued to you 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 (nurse for general care)

Pharmacist
Physiotherapist
Mountain guide
Real estate agent

The European Professional Card offers advantages:

The competent authority of your country of origin will help you with your application and check that it is correctly completed and complete. The competent authority also checks the authenticity and validity of your documents.
The competent authority in the host country then automatically receives all documents and checks your professional qualification (professional recognition). With the online procedure, you always know where your documents are being processed.
Your documents remain in the online system. If you are moving 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 specified period, you will automatically receive the professional card.
You can receive 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 have to apply for a special permit so that you can work in the profession. In some professions, you must also 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.

Prerequisites

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

Nurse (nurse for general care)
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 practised your profession in that country for at least three years after your professional qualification has been recognised.

Required documents

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 final certificate of your professional qualification
Proof that you are allowed to practise 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.

Fees (costs)

Costs may be incurred in the country of origin and in the host country for processing your application. The costs differ 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.B. for translations and certification of your documents). These costs vary from person to person.

Deadlines

Period of validity of the European Professional Card:

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

Processing time

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 review in the host country may be necessary.

Temporary activity (service)

A maximum of 3 weeks if no special inspection 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 in a maximum of one month. Subsequently, the competent body in the host country decides in a maximum of 3 months.

Permanent activity (establishment)

Maximum 4 months for professions without automatic recognition. The competent authority in the country of origin will examine your application in a maximum of one month. Subsequently, the competent body in the host country decides in a maximum of 3 months.
Maximum 3 months for professions with automatic recognition (pharmacists, nurses and nurses). The competent authority in the country of origin will examine your application in a maximum of one month. Subsequently, the competent authority in the host country decides in a maximum of 2 months.

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

Responsible body

Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training
Robert Schuman 3rd Place
D-53175 Bonn

Internet: www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de
E-mail: beratungszentrum@bibb.de

Phone: +49 228 107-2527

Call times:
Mon. 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Tue. 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Wed. 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Thu. 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Fri. 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Applications / Forms

Forms: no

Online procedure possible: yes

Written form required: no

Personal appearance required: no

Online procedure for applying for the European Professional Card

Procedure

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 so, you register with the authentication service of the European Commission ("EU Login").
Then create your profile with the details of yourself (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.
After you have created your profile, you can apply for the European Professional Card. To do so, go to the European Commission's European Professional Card website 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, transmit it to the competent authority of the host country for further processing.
Once you have sent your application, you will not be able to change your personal details. An update can only be made by the competent body processing your application. However, you can update your contact details at any time.
After approving your application, you can create an EBA certificate in PDF format. The EBA certificate contains 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 is then reviewed. Details can be found in the notice of appeal 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 tells you if documents are missing.