What will the European Professional Card give Ukrainians: benefits and employment prospects
12 May 15:12
Ukraine has begun preparations for the introduction of the European Professional Card (EPC), which aims to simplify the access of Ukrainian specialists to the EU labor market. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved an action plan that provides for the development of a draft law on regulated professions and the adaptation of national legislation to European standards, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
“We have taken another step towards European integration and are starting to work on bringing Ukrainian legislation in line with EU norms on mutual recognition of qualifications. The introduction of the European Professional Card will simplify the process of recognizing professional qualifications, facilitate the mobility of Ukrainian workers and contribute to the growth of economic efficiency,” said Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Tetiana Berezhna.
What is the European Professional Card (EPC)?
The EPC is an electronic certificate that confirms that a specialist meets all the necessary conditions to provide services in the EU on a temporary or permanent basis.
This is not a physical card, but an electronic certificate that demonstrates the right of a person to work in a regulated profession in another EU country. The system was introduced as part of the implementation of Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications.
The document certifies the recognition of professional qualifications, which facilitates the mobility of workers and promotes economic integration.
Several hundred professions are regulated in the European Union, including doctors, nurses, dentists, midwives, pharmacists, veterinarians, and architects. The requirements for these professions may vary from country to country, so the introduction of the EPC will provide harmonized mechanisms for recognizing qualifications.
Currently, the EPC is available for five regulated professions:
- Nurses responsible for general care
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Real estate agents
- Mountain guides
Selection is based on the high degree of mobility in these professions within the EU and the existing level of harmonization of training requirements.
Main advantages:
- Faster recognition. Most EPC applications are processed faster than traditional paper applications.
- Transparency. Applicants can track the progress of their application in real time.
- Cost-effectiveness. Reduced administrative burden and fewer duplicate steps.
- Reusability. Once information is verified in one EU country, it can be reused for future applications.
Limitations and criticisms:
- Limited scope. Currently, only five professions are eligible.
- Not a universal recognition tool. Not applicable to all regulated professions.
- Depends on national implementation. Speed and efficiency still vary from country to country.
How it works
The application is submitted online via the official EU website, where the applicant submits the required documents and information. The authority in the country of origin (where the applicant is qualified) checks the documentation before sending it to the host country (where the applicant wants to work).
In case of a positive decision, the applicant receives a digital certificate (EPC) that can be used for temporary or permanent work in that EU country.
The introduction of the EPC is also in line with Ukraine’s European integration commitments and will contribute to the development of the domestic labor market. It is expected that the system of mutual recognition of professional qualifications will ensure the application of harmonized, compatible recognition mechanisms, which will greatly simplify access to the EU labor market for Ukrainian specialists.
In 2025, 9,083 Ukrainians took advantage of the opportunity to acquire a new profession or upgrade their skills through a voucher for free training from the Ministry of Economy and the Employment Service of Ukraine. This demonstrates the high demand for professional development and the readiness of Ukrainians to integrate into the European labor market.
Key benefits of the introduction of the European Vocational Card
- It will simplify the process of recognizing professional qualifications of Ukrainian specialists in the EU.
- Increase the mobility of workers and facilitate their employment abroad.
- Promote Ukraine’s economic integration with the European Union.
- It will comply with European standards and Ukraine’s commitments within the framework of European integration.
It is expected that the implementation of the EPC will be an important step towards Ukraine’s full integration into the European economic area and will open up new opportunities for Ukrainian specialists.
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