The European Parliament approved a resolution which ask for a faster recognition of professional qualifications. In particular, MEPs seek to make it easier for doctors, dentists, architects and other professions to work abroad within the EU.

A resolution approved by the European Parliament seeks to make it easier for doctors, dentists, architects and other professions to work abroad within the EU and to add flexibility to the labour market. MEPs proposes to recognise professional qualifications faster but without compromising the reliability and safety of their work for citizens.

According to MEPs, speeding up recognition by simplifying procedures will not only help the more than 50% of young Europeans whom a recent survey found are willing to work abroad, but also spur economic growth, add flexibility to the labour market and respond to labour shortages. Estimates show that 16 million more people will be needed to fill high-skilled jobs in the EU by 2020. Yet the current system for recognition of professional qualifications earned in another EU Member State is excessively cumbersome and time-consuming.

In addition, the European Parliament want also to improve the exchange of information among Member States on doctors and others who have been found guilty of malpractice. The text also proposes to establish a voluntary professional passport linked to an electronic exchange system connecting public authorities across the EU, known as the Internal Market Information System (IMI) which would allow the smooth exchange of information among competent authorities.