From 1 January 2021, the EU Directive on the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications no longer applies to the UK. UK professionals seeking recognition in EU/EEA countries are now treated as third country nationals and recognition is based on the applicable rules of each individual EU/EEA country. The scope of regulation and details of activities which may require registration can found in the EU Single Market Regulated Professions Database.
In many EU/EEA countries, registration is not compulsory in order to work as an engineer, although some areas of work may be restricted and there may be legislation on the use of professional titles. Rules concerning travel, visas and residency may have changed and the professionals providing services should check with the relevant government websites.
Previous recognition decisions concerning UK professionals, that were made when the UK was a member of the EU, continue to be valid. This means that engineers who were awarded an EU/EEA professional title before 1 January 2021 are still entitled to use that title.
The Engineering Council is the United Kingdom National Member of ENGINEERS EUROPE (formerly FEANI). Engineering Council accredited engineering education programmes are recognised on the European Engineering Education Database (EEED, previously the FEANI INDEX) and we oversee applications from individuals seeking EUR ING registration.
The Engineering Council is an authorised agency of the European Network for the Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE), which confirms that our accreditation standards are aligned to the EUR-ACE® Framework.
Engineering Council accredited programmes are eligible for award of the EUR-ACE® label, which is increasingly recognised within and beyond Europe.