Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what (a) his policy is on and (b) assessment he has made of the ability of UK professionals to continue to practise in the EU in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The European Commission has published guidance setting out their intended approach to the recognition of professional qualifications in the absence of a negotiated deal. This confirms that recognition decisions made before exit day will not be affected by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

It also confirms that new applications for recognition after exit day will be treated as third country applications. UK nationals seeking recognition to practice regulated professions in the EU would have to check the national policies and rules of the relevant Member State in which they intend to practice.