Directive 2005/36/EC

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Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications provides for a system of recognition of professional experience and promotes automatic recognition of professional experience across the European Union (EU). It covers the European Economic Area and has been amended several times.{{cite web | url=http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2005/36|title=Consolidated text: Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (Text with EEA relevance)}}

The qualifications of some professions, such as doctors and architects, have been extensively harmonised; in addition, it offers more general guidelines for other professions, that have not been specifically regulated this directive, or other specific rules. Any form of work that would normally be restricted in a member state to people who had gained a professional qualification in that member state are also open to nationals of the EU (and member states of the European Economic Area) who have gained a similar professional qualification in another member state.{{cite web | url=https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/services/free-movement-professionals/qualifications-recognition_en | title=Recognition of professional qualifications in practice }}

Professions regulated in most or all EU states include:

;Accountancy : British-qualified accountants (Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) or Chartered Accountant (ACA or CA) or International Accountant (AIA) in the United Kingdom (UK)

;Engineering : Chartered Engineer or EUR ING (European Engineer), Incorporated Engineer (UK), corporate membership of a UK professional engineering institution such as Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology

;Teaching : Teachers (qualified teacher status in the UK)

;Law : Lawyers (barristers, solicitors and advocates in the UK).