UK-EU TCA: Professional Qualifications

The House of Commons Library has recently published a briefing explaining what has changed for UK qualified professionals (including lawyers) who seek to practice in the EU market and vice versa. It summarises the provisions in the UK and EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) under which the UK and EU can come to sector-by-sector mutual recognition arrangements in the future.

Recognition of professional qualification is a system which allows professionals qualified in one country to practice in another, with limited administrative requirements and without having to requalify. This is particularly relevant for regulated professions, such as medics, architects, lawyers or statutory auditors who seek to establish in, or export their services to, another country.

From 1 January 2021, EU rules with regard to professional qualifications no longer apply to the United Kingdom, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications has ended. UK qualified workers wishing to work in the EU have to meet the qualification requirements of each individual EU Member State, i.e. the principle of “host-country rules” applies. The same is true for EU qualified workers seeking recognition of their qualifications in the UK: they have to comply with UK rules on professional qualifications.

The House of Commons Library’s report can be downloaded here.