EEA (Agreement on the European Economic Area)/ EU (European Union)

Citizens of EEA countries (European Union, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway) whose education or training has been obtained in an EEA country other than Norway are covered by the EEA rules concerning mutual recognition of training and authorisation, se list of directives below.

Obligations which are binding on Norway have been incorporated into Norwegian legislation through the Regulations re Authorisation as per the EEA Agreement.

The EEA Agreement is practised in such a manner that citizens of countries outside the EEA, whose training and authorisation/diploma has been obtained within the EEA, are normally given the same privileges as citizens of an EEA country.

The relevant Directives are:

Medical Practitioners (Doctors):

Council Directive 1993/16/EEC, Council Directive of 5 April 1993 to facilitate the free movement of doctors and the mutual recognition of their diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications.

Directive 2001/19/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14th May 2001 (SLIM Directive) amending Council Directives 1989/48/EEC, 1992/51/EEC on the general system for the recognition of professional qualifications, and Council Directives 1977/452/EEC, 1977/453/EEC, 1978/686/EEC, 1978/1026/EEC, 1978/1027/EEC, 1980/154/EEC, 1980/155/EEC, 1985/384/EEC, 1985/432/EEC, 1985/433/EEC, and Council Directive 1993/16/EEC of 5 April 1993 concerning the professions of nurse responsible for general care, dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, midwife, architect, pharmacist, and doctor (medical practitioner).

General Nurses:

Council Directive 1977/452/EEC as amended by Council Directive 2001/19/EU of 27 June 1977 concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications of nurses responsible for general care, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of this right of establishment and freedom to provide services.

Council Directive 1977/453/EEC of 27 June 1977 concerning the co-ordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or Administrative Action in respect of activities of nurses responsible for general care.

Council Directive 1980/154/EEC of 14 December 1981 supplementing Council Directives 75/362/EEC, 77/452/EEC, 78/686/EEC, 78/1026/EEC concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualification of doctors, nurses responsible for general care, dental practitioners and veterinary surgeons respectively, with regard to acquired rights. (Annulled in respect of doctors.).

Council Directive 1989/594/EEC of 30 October amending Council Directives 1975/362/EEC, 1977/452/EEC, 1978/686/EEC, 1978/1026/EEC and 1980/154/EEC relating to the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications as doctors, nurses responsible for general care, dental practitioners, veterinary surgeons and midwives, together with Council Directives 1975/363/EEC, 1978/1027/EEC and 1980/155/EEC concerning the co ordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or Administrative Action relating to the activities of doctors, veterinary surgeons and midwives. (Annulled in respect of medical practitioners.)

Council Directive 1989/595/EEC of 10 October 1989 amending Council Directive 1977/452/EEC concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of the formal qualifications of nurses responsible for general care, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment and the freedom to provide services, and amending Counsil Directive 1977/453/EEC concerning the co-ordination of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in respect of the activities of nurses responsible for general care.

Council Directive 1990/658/EEC of 4 December 1990 amending certain Council Directives on the recognition of professional qualifications consequent upon the reunion of Germany. (Annulled in respect of doctors.)

Directive 2001/19/EC, (see under Medical Practitioners)

Dentists (Dental practitioners):

Council Directive 1978/686/EEC of 25 July 1978 concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualification of practitioners of dentistry, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment and the freedom to provide services. Council Directive 1978/687/EEC of 25 July 1978 concerning the co-ordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or Administrative Action in respect of the activities of dental practitioners.

Council Directive 1981/1057/EEC, (see under General Nurses)

Council Directive 1989/594/EEC, (see under General Nurses)

Council Directive 1990/658/EEC, (see under General Nurses)

Directive 2001/19/EC, (see under Medical Practitioners)

Midwives:

Council Directive 1980/154/EEC of 21 January 1980 concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualification in midwifery and including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment and the freedom to provide services.

Council Directive 1980/155/EEC of 21 January 1980 concerning the co-ordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or Administrative Action relating to the taking up and pursuit of the activities of midwives.

Council Directive 1980/1273/EEC of 22 December 1980 amending, consequent on the accession of Greece, Council Directive 80/154/EEC concerning mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualification in midwifery and including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment and the freedom to provide services.

Council Directive 1989/594/EEC, (see under General Nurses)

Council Directive 1990/658/EEC, (see under General Nurses)

Directive 2001/19/EC, (see under Medical Practitioners)

Pharmacists:

Council Directive 1985/433/EEC of 16 September 1985 concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications in pharmacy, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment relating to certain activities in the field of pharmacy.

Council Directive 1985/432/EEC of 16 September 1985 concerning the co-ordination of provisions laid down by Law, Regulation or Administrative Action in respect of certain activities in the field of pharmacy.

Council Directive 1985/584/EEC of 20 December 1985 amending, on account of the accession of Spain and Portugal, Council Directive 85/433/EEC concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualification in pharmacy, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment relating to certain activities in the field of pharmacy.

Council Directive 1990/658/EEC, see under General Nurses

Directive 2001/19/EU, see under Medical Practitioners

Medical Laboratory Technologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Optometrists, Prosthetists, Psychologists, Radiographers, Social Educators, Chiropodists, Auxiliary Nurses, and Dental Hygienists:

Council Directive 1989/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years' duration

Council Directive 1992/51/EEC of 18 June 1992 on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Council Directive 1989/48/EEC

Council Directive 1994/38/EC, Commission Directive of 26 July 1994 amending Annexes C and D to Council Directive 1992/51/EEC on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 1989/48/EEC

Directive 2001/19/EC, see under Medical Practitioners

Updated 13.03.2008