The EU will make it easier to recognise professional qualifications – employers are hoping for quicker access to talent from abroad
On 15 September, the European Commission adopted a package of three initiatives aimed at improving cross-border labour mobility:
- the Skills Portability Initiative,
- an amendment to the Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications,
- a directive for third-country nationals.
The aim is to streamline and digitise procedures – the standard recognition of qualifications in regulated professions is to take a maximum of around 11 weeks, whilst the procedure for non-EU nationals, which currently takes over 14 months on average, is to be reduced to around four months. Documents are to be made available digitally via the European Digital Identity Wallet, and a list of profession with harmonised requirements and automatic recognition is to be expanded to include a further ten professions.
Polish labour market experts view the changes positively, whilst highlighting the risks. The reform concerns only the recognition of qualifications, not national procedures for legalising residence and work which, in Poland, can still be protracted, which may offset the benefits of quicker verification of qualifications.
The draft legislation is at an early stage of the legislative process. If the legislation is adopted in 2027, the first effects can be expected in 2029–30.