EC Certificate in Luxembourg: What You Need to Know

What are EC Certificates?

EC Certificates are official documents issued by the competent authority of a European Union Member State attesting to the professional experience of a person in commercial, industrial or craft activities. These certificates contain information on the nature and duration of the activities performed, thus allowing the validation of the competencies acquired in a professional context.

EC Certificates are regulated by Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications in the EU. Although this directive does not explicitly use the term “EC Certificate”, the underlying idea of issuing an official certificate to accredit qualifications based on professional experience is implicit in several of its articles. In particular, Chapter II in Articles 16 to 19 regulates the recognition of the professional experience of workers wishing to establish themselves in another member state to exercise regulated activities, and Annex IV specifies the commercial, craft and industrial activities that can be recognized by professional experience and which require this type of certification.

What is the importance of the EC in Luxembourg in the entrepreneurship field?

In Luxembourg, in order to exercise a commercial or artisanal activity and certain liberal activities, it is necessary to apply for establishment authorization, which in turn requires the accreditation of certain professional qualifications.

When such qualifications derive from professional experience in a European Union country other than Luxembourg, the applicant must submit an EC Certificate attesting to the nature and duration of the activities carried out.

Now, to be able to determine more precisely which persons need this certificate, it is necessary to look more closely at the type of activities that require establishment authorization in Luxembourg. The following list details these activities:

Craft activities from lists A and B:

Commercial activities:

Trader, including as a package tour operator or related travel provider
Horeca (hotel, restaurant and catering sector)
Continuous vocational training establishments
Transporter

The following liberal professions:

Architect
Interior architect
Landscape architect/landscape engineer
Accountant
Patent attorney
Chartered accountant
Surveyor
Consulting engineer in the construction sector
Independent engineer (other than a construction engineer)
Town and country planner

If you are unsure whether or not an activity requires an establishment permit in Luxembourg, the best solution is to consult the complete list of activities requiring an establishment permit available on Guichet.lu.

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How to obtain an EC Certificate?

EC Certificates are issued by the competent authority or body in the different member states, these authorities are usually the professional chambers for most craft, commercial or self-employed activities and the ministries of transport for transport activities. Below, we list some of these authorities in different European countries:

For craft and commercial activities

Germany: Handwerkskammer or Industrie- und Handelskammer
Belgium: Service Public Fédéral, Economie, PME, Classes Moyennes & Energie
Danemark: Industrirådet
Estonia: Estonian Ministry of Education and Research
France: Chambre des Métiers or Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie (for the self-employed) or Direction Départementale du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle (DDTEPP, for salaried workers)
Great Britain: Department for education and skills
Greece: Chambre des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises
Italy: Camera di commercio, industria, artigianato e agricoltura (for the self-employed) ou Ispettorati provinciali del lavoro (for salaried workers)
Ireland: FAS, Training and Employment Authority (certificate of experience Unit)
Netherlands: Hoofbedrijfschap ambachten
Portugal: Confederação da Indústria Portuguesa (pour les indépendants) ou Inspeção do trabalho ou Confederação do Comércio português (for salaried workers)
Poland: Ministerstwo Gospodarki i Pracy

For commercial activities in the transport sector

Belgium: ministère de l'Equipement et des Transports à Bruxelles
Germany: Industrie und Handelskammer
France: ministère de l'Environnement, de l'Energie et de la Mer

FAQ

What information is typically included in an EC Certificate?

An EC Certificate includes the following key details:

• The nature of the professional activities carried out.

• The duration of the activities (start and end dates).

• A clear description of the experience gained relevant to the regulated profession or activity.

• The official seal and signature of the competent authority (e.g., a professional chamber or ministry).

How is an EC Certificate different from a job reference letter?

The EC Certificate is an official document issued by a competent public or professional authority (e.g., a Chamber of Commerce or a Ministry of Transport) to validate specific professional experience. It forms part of the legal framework for cross-border recognition of qualifications under Directive 2005/36/EC. A job reference letter is a non-regulated document, typically containing subjective remarks about an employee’s performance, skills, or contribution. It does not hold the same legal or administrative weight as the EC Certificate.

What is the utility of EC Certificates in Luxembourg?

EC Certificates are crucial for obtaining an authorization establishment in Luxembourg for regulated activities (e.g., crafts, commerce, or transportation). These certificates serve as evidence of the professional experience or qualifications acquired in another EU country and are required under the recognition principles of Directive 2005/36/EC. They ensure that applicants meet Luxembourg’s criteria for specific professions, enabling them to establish businesses or operate in the country legally.

Experience certificate (EC Certificate)