I am an EU citizen and I would like to provide services in Switzerland for no more than 90 days per year. Does the recognition procedure change with Directive 2005/36/EC?
Yes. With the implementation of the new declaration procedure for service providers on 1 September 2013, Annex III of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons and thus Directive 2005/36/EC take full effect in Switzerland. This means that EU citizens must declare their intention to provide services in advance to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). You will find detailed information on the new declaration procedure under the heading Declaration procedure for service providers.
I hold a foreign qualification issued by an EU member state. If I obtain recognition of this qualification from the Swiss authorities, can I use the protected Swiss title?
No. Directive 2005/36/EC also prohibits the use of protected Swiss.
Does Directive 2005/36/EC require me to be able to speak one of Switzerland's national languages?
The Swiss authorities may continue to require knowledge of a national language if that knowledge is needed to pursue a profession. Verification of language skills is separate from the procedure for the recognition of professional qualifications. Proof of language skills may not be made a precondition for considering an application for recognition.
Does Directive 2005/36/EC reduce the length of the recognition procedure?
Directive 2005/36/EC establishes clear timeframes for the recognition procedure. Within one month of receipt of the application and accompanying documents, the competent authority must notify the applicant of its decision or request any additional documentation required. Depending on the profession, the decision to grant or deny recognition can take three to four months from the moment when all required documents have been submitted. Under the new declaration procedure (Title II of Directive 2005/36/EC) that is introduced in Switzerland on 1 September 2013, the length of the procedure for the short-term provision of services is reduced. You will find detailed information on this under the heading Declaration procedure for service providers.
I obtained recognition of my foreign qualification under the previous EU directives (89/48/EEC, 92/51/EEC or 1999/42/EC). Is this recognition still valid?
Yes. Recognition granted under previous Directives remains valid with the adoption of Directive 2005/36/EC. You will not receive a new recognition decision with an updated reference to Directive 2005/36/EC.