SKVC participates in European Commission expert focus group on recognition of third-country qualifications
On 14 April 2026, The Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) took part in an online expert focus group convened by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), in the context of a study carried out by EY, to explore policy options to facilitate the recognition of qualifications and validation of skills of third-country nationals (TCNs) in the European Union. SKVC was represented by Aurelija Valeikienė, Deputy Director.
The focus group brought together experts from EU Member States and third countries, including representatives from the European Commission, the European Training Foundation (ETF), UNESCO, the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR), ENIC-NARIC centres and external quality assurance agencies. SKVC acting both as external quality assurance agency for higher education and the academic information and recognition center, member of ENIC-NARIC networks, was particularly well placed to bring those two perspectives into the discussion.
Participants examined an emerging concept for an EU system enabling automatic recognition of selected third-country qualifications. The concept foresees structured reviews of education and training programmes in third countries against EU quality assurance standards, potentially carried out by a designated EU-based entity. Initial discussions focused on regulated professions subject to harmonised minimum training requirements under the EU Professional Qualifications Directive (Directive 2005/36/EC), including doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, midwives, veterinary surgeons and architects. As noted during the session, the concept remains under development and the focus group served to test its feasibility and practical implementation.
The exchange also considered four policy options ranging from maintaining the status quo, where current national approaches and existing EU frameworks would continue, to strengthening existing mechanisms to improve transparency and coordination through current EU initiatives. A third option discussed the development of common procedural rules that would introduce EU-level requirements to streamline recognition procedures and enhance consistency across Member States. A fourth option explored the introduction of automatic recognition at EU level for selected regulated professions.
Insights gathered during the focus group will inform the ongoing study and help identify practical pathways for improving the recognition of third-country qualifications in the EU, while supporting labour market integration and safeguarding quality standards.
Last updated: 14-04-2026
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