What is a European Professional Card (EPC)?

Where does it appy?

For the moment, you can use the EPC procedure only if you are:

• a nurse responsible for general care;
• a pharmacist;
• a physiotherapist;
• a mountain guide (not applicable in the Republic of Cyprus);
• a real estate agent.



You can use the EPC procedure if:

Example:

you want to practise your profession in another EU country on a temporary and occasional basis (temporary mobility)

• A Belgian real estate agent wants to go to Hungary to assist a client with the search of an apartment in Budapest;

• A German mountain guide wants to work in France during the busy Chamonix holiday season.

OR

• you want to settle in another EU country and practise your profession there permanently (establishment)

Example:

• A Finnish general care nurse wants to move with her family to Sweden and practise her profession there;

• A Polish pharmacist has studied and obtained her diploma in Germany and she now wants to come back to Poland and work as a pharmacist there.



For how long can you use your EPC?

The EPC will be valid:

• indefinitely if you are settling long-term (establishment);
• 18 months in most cases where you're providing services temporarily, or 12 months for professions which have an impact on public health or safety (i.e.: this could be the case in certain countries for professions such as physiotherapist or mountain guide).



How to apply for a EPC?