site.btaEuropean Commission Opens Infringement Procedure Against Bulgaria Regarding Qualifications Rules

The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden for failing to comply with the EU Professional Qualifications rules, which make it easier for professionals to provide their services on a temporary and occasional basis in different Member States, whilst guaranteeing protection for consumers and citizens.

For professions having public health and safety implications, EU Member States may check qualifications before the provision of services. The European Commission considers that these 22 Member States require prior checks in an unjustified way for several professions. Bulgaria and the other addressed EU Member States have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission.