Background information

In connection with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, more than four million people fled the war and sought protection in the the EU. Once their most pressing needs are met, the key issue is ensuring these people have access to the jobs which they are qualified for. In order to improve these actions, on 5 April 2022 the Commission has published a Recommendation on the recognition of academic and professional qualifications of people fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Its main purpose is to provide guidance and practical advice to Member States' authorities to ensure a fast, fair and flexible recognition process.

The recognition of professional qualifications has been laid down in Directive 2005/36/EC enabling the free movement of specific categories of professionals (such as doctors or architects) within the EU.

Content of measure

In particular, the following relevant recommendations to Member States are included in the Commission document:

• providing specialists with access to jobs corresponding to their level of qualifications by using an effective, fast and well-functioning system of recognition of professional qualifications;
• quick issuance of decisions on the recognition of qualifications;
• minimization of formalities related to the recognition of professional qualifications;
• applying a flexible approach to incoming professionals benefiting from temporary protection, to enable a large number of cases to be handled quickly with a positive result;
• promoting fast, flexible and efficient procedures for the recognition of academic qualifications;
• not introducing or maintaining a requirement that companies have to prove that they have not been able to employ an EU citizen before employing a beneficiary of temporary protection;
• explore different ways to ensure quick access of Ukrainian teachers to the education sector.

Use of measure

No information available to date.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Particular professions	Applies to all businesses	Migrants or refugees

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government EU (Council, EC, EP)	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

The recommendation was not consulted with the social partners, however, its implementation in individual Member States may surely be the subject of such consultations at the national level.

Views and reactions

The European social partners did not take a position on this matter.

Sources

• 05 April 2022: Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/554 of 5 April 2022 on the recognition of qualifications for people fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (eur-lex.europa.eu)