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Opportunities for doctors within the European Economic Area

February 2006

This booklet is divided into two sections. The first gives general information about the legislation, which enables doctors to live and work in other member states of the European Economic Area (EEA). The second part gives more detailed information on the healthcare systems and registration procedures in EEA member states and Switzerland. The information in this booklet is by no means comprehensive, but it aims to provide a basic introduction and to direct you to sources of further information if required.

Introduction
The European Economic Area (EEA) consists of the countries of the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA), with the exception of Switzerland. The European Community (EC) is the section of the EU which is empowered to propose and adopt legislation. After many delays, the EEA came into being on 1 January 1994; EFTA countries – three of which joined the EU in 1995 – are now bound by, and benefit from, the majority of EC legislation, including that which relates to free movement and the mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

EU members

Austria	Latvia
Belgium	Lithuania
Cyprus	Luxembourg
Czech Republic	Malta
Denmark	The Netherlands
Estonia	Poland
Finland	Portugal
France	Slovakia
Germany	Slovenia
Hungary	Spain
Greece	Sweden
Ireland	United Kingdom
Italy

EFTA members belonging to EEA
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Norway