Recognition of Diplomas and Qualifications

(source: European Union)

• I. Information on Community Law
• II. Formalities in France
• III. Useful addresses in France

I. Information on Community law

The engineering profession is covered by the general system for the recognition of diplomas and qualifications (see the Factsheet on the general system).

1. You are entitled to recognition in order to work as an engineer if your professional qualifications enable you to pursue this profession in the Member State from which you come.
   
   What is recognized is the qualification or set of qualifications required in order to take up the engineering profession in the Member State from which you come (e.g. university degree and professional experience).
   
   
2. The host Member State may require you either to undergo an adaptation period or to take an aptitude test (at your choice) if there are substantial differences between your training and that required in the host Member State (see the Factsheet on the general system). Such differences justify these additional requirements but do not constitute grounds for refusal to recognize qualifications (assuming that the other conditions are met).
   
   
3. The host Member State authorities have four months in which to reply to your application for recognition. In the event of refusal, the grounds for the decision must be given and you may appeal before a court or tribunal according to the procedures in force in the host Member State. Failure to take a decision within four months is to be deemed an implicit refusal.
   
   The Community institutions are not empowered to set aside an administrative decision taken by national authorities in your case.
   Only the competent national bodies can set aside a decision to reject your application for recognition. In its judgments, the EC Court of Justice has simply held that a Member State has failed to implement Community law correctly or that a particular piece of national legislation is incompatible with Community law. It is for the authorities of the State concerned to amend individual decisions resulting from practice or legislation which the Court has found incompatible with Community law.
   
   
4. Once your qualifications have been recognized, you may work as an engineer on the same basis as persons with the qualifications of the host Member State, with the same rights and obligations.

Reference documents: 

Directives 89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC; Guide for users of the general system for the recognition of professional qualifications.

II. Formalities in France

The profession of engineer is not regulated in France. You do not therefore need to have specific qualifications in order to take up the profession; neither do you need to apply for your foreign qualifications to be recognized.

III. Useful addresses in France

Contact point:

• Ministére de l'éducation nationale, de l'enseignement supérieur et de la recherche
  Mr Frederic Seneze (+33.1.5555 6590)
  Mme Joelle Lashaux (+33.1.5555 6619)
  Bureau Dric B3
  110 Rue de Grenolle
  75007 PARIS

Note: This Citizens First Factsheet is intended to provide guidance on EU law for information purposes only. It has been prepared by the European Commission with the help of national authorities and contains information on the national implementation of EU law. You are advised that the texts of Community legal instruments should be relied upon in case of doubt concerning the extent of a right or obligation arising from EU law.