The European Commission decides to refer GREECE to the Court of Justice of the European Union for non-compliance with the EU legislation on the recognition of professional qualifications

Today, the European Commission decided to refer Greece to the Court of Justice of the European Union for non-compliance of national rules with the EU legislation on the recognition of professional qualifications. EU rules have contributed to the creation of a modern system for the recognition of professional qualifications across the EU. They make it easier for professionals to provide their services in different Member States.

In particular, the Commission considers that Greek rules fail to comply with Directive 2005/36/EC as amended by Directive 2013/55/EU on the recognition of professional qualifications and with Article 45 of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union (TFUE).

Under Greek law, professionals qualified as school directors and other education managers in other Member States must follow a heavier procedure than that provided for under the directive for professional recognition of their qualifications to be able to work in Greece. This is contrary to the Directive, and also results in making access to the Greek labour market more difficult for those EU professionals.

The Commission sent Greece a Letter of Formal Notice in September 2022 and a reasoned opinion on 19 April 2023. However, Greece has still not ensured compliance of its national rules with the EU legislation on the recognition of professional qualifications. For this reason, the Commission decided today to refer this case to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Background

Directive 2005/36/EC as amended by Directive 2013/55/EU addresses access to regulated professions, which require holding a specific professional qualification. In particular, the rules state that for regulated professions, a Member State must recognise a professional qualification obtained in another Member State and must allow the holder of such a qualification to pursue the same profession in this Member State. The rules also set up transparency and proportionality obligations on Member States.

For More Information

EU infringement procedure

Infringement decisions database

Link to the July 2024 infringement package 

Infringement procedure Greece (INFR(2022)4078)