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Mutual recognition of professional qualifications

In order to facilitate the exercise of fundamental freedoms in line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, namely the free movement of workers, the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services, the EU has adopted common rules on the recognition of professional qualifications acquired in a Member State other than the one in which the person concerned is to pursue a profession.

Contact centre for information on the recognition of professional qualifications

The contact centre provides information to citizens and similar centres in other EU Member States, the EEA and the Swiss Confederation on the procedure for recognising professional qualifications, including information on legislation governing professions, social legislation and, where appropriate, ethical rules. It also provides assistance to citizens in the exercise of their rights, in cooperation with the competent ministries and other competent authorities and contact centres.

Contact centres also operate in all other Member States. They can provide additional information if you wish to have your professional qualification recognised abroad.

Slovenia’s contact centre for information on the recognition of professional qualifications for the pursuit of regulated professions is:

  • Code of Conduct for recognition of professional qualifications

    The code of conduct defines the national administrative practices that apply to procedures for the recognition of professional qualifications. While the code is not a legally binding document, it is based on Directive 2005/36/EC and the EC Treaty as interpreted in the case-law of the Court of Justice of the EU.
    Instructions

Rules on the recognition of professional qualifications

The rules governing the recognition of professional qualifications are laid down in Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications. They apply to all nationals of EU Member States, the European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation and, under special conditions, to third-country nationals who wish to pursue a regulated profession in another host Member State.

The recognition of professional qualifications enables individuals to access regulated professions in Member States in which they have not obtained a professional qualification using a special procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications.

The rules apply to employees as well as self-employed professionals. They differ according to the duration of pursuing the regulated profession in Slovenia, which is why different procedures are in place namely recognition of professional qualifications for the permanent pursue the regulated profession (establishment) and for the temporary or occasional provision of services in case of regulated profession

As an alternative to the existing procedures, a European Professional Card has been introduced at European level for certain professions. It is proof in electronic form that an administrative check has been carried out and that the professional qualifications have been recognised or conditions for the temporary pursuit of a professional activity fulfilled in the country in which a person wishes to work.

Procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications to work in regulated professions on a permanent basis

Title Institution
Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

Procedures for providing services in regulated professions on an occasional or temporary basis

Title Institution
Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

Procedure for obtaining and issuing a European professional card

Title Institution
Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

Regulated professions

For certain professions, professional activities or groups of professional activities, some countries determine or regulate access, directly or indirectly, to the pursuit, the pursuit itself or one of the forms of pursuit of the profession by means of laws or other regulations relating to specific professional qualifications. Proof of professional qualifications may be provided by means of an evidence of formal qualifications, an attestation of competence, or proof of professional experience.

Pursuant to Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications, the ministry responsible for labour is responsible for maintaining a list of regulated professions in Slovenia. This list is notified to the European Commission at the proposal of the line ministry responsible for regulating an individual profession.

In Slovenia and in other Member States, other professions covered by the specific sectoral directives (activities in the field of toxic substances, insurance agents, the transport sector, lawyers, auditors, etc.) are also regulated. All professions and professional staff to which authorisation or special conditions apply are available at web portal SPOT.

EU Member States, the EEA and the Swiss Confederation keep national lists of regulated professions. These must be notified to the European Commission and published in the European Regulated Professions Database. The database also provides information on the competent authority, which is the authority or body authorised by the state to issue or accept certificates of qualifications and other documents or information, and to accept applications and decisions under Directive 2005/36/EC.

Member States of the EU, the EEA and the Swiss Confederation should also have a list of regulated professions published at Points of Single Contact.