Professional recognition of diplomas obtained in the European Union for the exercise of regulated professions in application of European Directives

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications (subsequently amended by Directive 2013/55/EU).  It recognises the competence of the authorities of each State to "regulate professions", setting the level of qualification necessary to ensure the quality of professional provision in their territory (this may be a university, non-university higher education or vocational training qualification).  Mechanisms are established for exercising a regulated profession in one country, on the basis of a university degree that provides a similar professional qualification in another country, between members of the European Union, the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

The European Commission publishes a database of regulated professions and competent authorities: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/regprof/home

If a citizen of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom (UK) or Switzerland has a university degree from a country that qualifies him/her to practice a profession in that territory, and wants to practice the profession in Spain:

  • He/she must apply for accreditation of the professional qualification from the competent authority in the country of issue of the university degree.
  • He/she must apply for recognition of the qualification from the competent authority in Spain.

Similarly, if the citizen holds a Spanish university degree that qualifies him/her to practice a regulated profession in Spain, and wants to practice the profession in another country:

  • He/she must apply for accreditation from the competent authorities in Spain.
  • He/she must apply for recognition from the competent authority in the other country.

Procedure: regulatory authorities of each profession.
https://www.universidades.gob.es/reconocimiento-de-titulos-obtenidos-en-la-union-europea-para-el-ejercicio-de-profesiones-reguladas-en-aplicacion-de-la-directiva-2005-36-ce/