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

Basic principle:

You have the right of establishment as a self-employed or employed person in any Member State of the European Union, subject to recognition of your qualification. There are simplified authorisation and registration procedures if you wish merely to provide services in another Member State.

Scope:

1. Only qualifications acquired in a Member State and listed in the relevant Directive are eligible for mandatory and automatic recognition. A recently acquired diploma entitling you to take up the profession of veterinary surgeon in your home Member State will, as a general rule, be recognised but, if in doubt, you are advised to consult your professional association.
   
   
2. In specific cases, especially older forms of training undertaken in certain Member States prior to implementation of the Directives or qualifications which have a different designation, recognition may be subject to certain requirements.
   
   
3. There is no provision for the recognition of training received in countries outside the European Union. Such recognition may, however, be granted by Member States but is binding only on the Member State that grants it and does not extend beyond the territory of that Member State.
   
   
4. The authorities of the host Member State have three months in which to process your application to take up the activity concerned. Decisions not to grant recognition must be reasoned decisions, and it must be possible to appeal against them to the national courts.

Main Community instruments concerned:

• Council Directives 78/1026/EEC and 78/1027/EEC (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 362 of 23 December 1978); 
• Council Recommendation of 18 December 1978 concerning nationals of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg who hold a diploma in veterinary medicine conferred in a third country (OJ No L 362 of 23 December 1978).

II. Formalities in France

1. How to proceed: 

Applications for recognition or requests for information should be sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (see address below).

2. Information and/or documents to be submitted to the competent authorities. 

Contact the Conseil Supérieur de l'Ordre des Vétérinaires.

3. Fees 

None.

4. Contact point 

See Section III.

5. National rules 

Code rural, Article 309; Code de la santé publique, Articles L 610 to 615

III. Useful addresses in France

• Ministère de l'Agriculture et de la Pêche 
  Direction générale de l'Alimentation Sous-direction de la Santé et de la Protection animales 
  251 rue de Vaugirard F-75732 Paris Cedex 15 
• Tel.: (33) 1 49 55 84 66 Fax: (33) 1 49 55 43 98
• Conseil Supérieur de l'Ordre des Vétérinaires 
  34 rue Bréguet F-75011 Paris 
  Tel.: (33) 1 47 00 12 27 Fax: (33) 1 47 00 09 25

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.