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European Professional Card

The European professional card (EPC) is available from 18 January 2016 for five professions (general care nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, real estate agents and mountain guides). It might be extended to other professions in the future.

The EPC is not a physical card, but an electronic certificate issued via the first EU-wide fully online procedure for the recognition of qualifications. This digital procedure is based on the well-established Internal Market Information System (IMI) and allows professionals to communicate with the relevant authorities inside a secure network. The IMI also provides for an official, multilingual communication channel between the regulating authorities for professionals in EU countries to facilitate their cooperation and enhance mutual trust.

The EPC does not replace the 'traditional' recognition procedures under the Professional Qualifications Directive, but it does offer an advantageous option for professionals who wish to work either temporarily or permanently in another EU country.

More information

The Alert Mechanism

To ensure that EU patients and consumers are adequately protected, the Commission has also introduced an Alert Mechanism. The Competent Authorities of EU countries are required to quickly warn each other through the IMI of professionals in the health and education of minors sectors who

  • have been prohibited or restricted from practicing the profession in one country
  • have used falsified diplomas for their application for the recognition of their qualification

Monitoring and evaluation

In April 2018 the Commission published an assessment of stakeholders' experience with the EPC and the Alert Mechanism procedures. The evaluation is based on the results of a survey, combined with feedback collected through bilateral exchanges with EU countries, several expert group meetings, public events and usage statistics from January 2016 to November 2017. The document feeds into the Commission’s ongoing evaluation and monitoring of the EPC and the Alert Mechanism procedures.

The assessment shows that national authorities and professional organisations consider that the EPC procedure has worked well, it has further enhanced safe professional mobility, and provided added value compared to traditional recognition processes. No particular patient safety threats, especially concerning the 3 health professions concerned, were identified. Stakeholder feedback also confirmed that the Alert Mechanism strengthens cooperation and trust among EU country authorities for the safe mobility of professionals.

Results of the stakeholder survey

Staff Working Document: Assessment of stakeholders' experience with the European Professional Card and the Alert Mechanism procedures (PDF, 1006 KB)

Commission implementing regulation

On 24 June 2015, the European Commission adopted Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/983 on the procedure for issuance of the European Professional Card and the application of the alert mechanism pursuant to the Professional Qualifications Directive. Since January 2016, the EPC is available for nurses responsible for general care, pharmacists, physiotherapists, mountain guides and real estate agents.

Consultation on introducing the European Professional Card for seven professions

In 2014, the Commission launched a public consultation on introducing the EPC for seven professions (nurses, doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, engineers, mountain guides and real estate agents). The aim of the consultation was to

  • collect data on mobility, application procedures, fees, authorities and professional recognition
  • assess whether the card is appropriate for these professions
  • estimate the impact on EU countries

Details of the public consultation

Focus Group on the European Professional Card

The Focus Group on the EPC aims to assess its suitability for a given profession and its impact on EU countries. The Group contributes to the analysis of whether a given profession fulfils the introduction criteria for the card and plays a role in discussions regarding the functioning of the card.

Meeting reports of the Focus Group on the EPC

Call for expression of interest in the introduction of the European Professional Card

In 2013, the Commission invited professional organisations and associations to express an interest in the introduction of the EPC for their respective professions.

The Steering Group on the Professional Card

An expert group to discuss the launch of the EPC was set up in 2011. The Group comprised representatives of national administrations of EU countries, authorities and professional organisations. The Group held six meetings and produced case studies and working documents:

Case studies and working documents

Minutes of the Steering Group on the Professional Card