Recognition of qualifications for Ukrainian refugees

KEY POINTS

The EU has taken a number of steps to help and to show solidarity with refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These include, in particular:

• Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 introducing temporary protection for Ukrainians, which builds on the minimum EU standards for temporary protection set out in Directive 2001/55/EC on temporary protection (see summary);
• communications from the European Commission in May 2022 on solidarity and on readying the EU to meet the needs of Ukrainian refugees.

Recognition of qualifications

• Access to the EU labour market is a key aspect of temporary protection. However, without recognition of their qualifications non-EU nationals often have to take jobs below their qualification level.
• The Commission’s 2021–2027 action plan on integration and inclusion encourages EU Member States to ensure that procedures for recognising foreign qualifications are quick, fair, transparent and affordable.
• This recommendation to Member States addresses these issues in respect of Ukraine, covering the following areas:
  • organising recognition of professional qualifications for those enjoying temporary protection;
  • making academic recognition more straightforward;
  • providing information and using electronic tools;
  • dealing with incomplete evidence on qualifications;
  • specific requirements for certain professions;
  • making it easier for recognised professionals to practise;
  • follow-up of proposed measures.

Measures

The recommendation includes a number of key measures taken by the Commission to support Member States, including:

• a resource hub on Ukrainian qualifications, created by the European Training Foundation, designed to allow comprehensive information sharing and transparency between Member States and thus enable fast track procedures;
• adapting the eTranslation tool developed by the Commission to meet the demand for quick and reliable translation from Ukrainian and also from Russian;
• a flexible approach to those not in possession of original documentation – this includes the option of reissuing certificates digitally.