An invitation from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL)

When: 16 January 2026, 10:30 – 12:00 CET
Where: Online (Webex link will be shared on 13 January, upon succesful registration)
Registration link: EUSurvey – Survey – please use this link to register to the meeting before 12 January (12:00 CET). 

About the Skills Portability Initiative:
As announced in the Union of Skills communication, the Skills Portability Initiative (SPI) aims to:

• Remove barriers to the free movement of workers related to skills and qualifications.
• Make the EU more attractive to talent.

The package is included in the Commission Work Programme for 2026 (planned for adoption in Q3 of 2026) as part of the EU Fair Labour Mobility Package. 

Points of the Discussion:

The initiative consists of three interrelated actions:

• Action 1 consists of a potential legislative proposal to facilitate worker mobility through improved transparency of skills and qualifications, and digitalisation.  

• Action 2 concerns potential measures to facilitate, modernise, and expand recognition processes for regulated professions. 

• Action 3 involves a potential legislative proposal for common rules to simplify procedures for recognising the qualifications and skills of third-country nationals.  

In the linked background note, you will find more information and dedicated questions for cross-border stakeholders which will guide the discussion during the consultation session.

Purpose of the Consultation:
The Commission wants to gather feedback from all affected parties on the challenges related to the portability of qualifications and skills, and on possible policy measures to address them. The consultation will help identify practical obstacles; assess the expected impacts of different options; and ensure that the initiative is evidence-based, proportionate and consistent with the needs of workers, employers and society. The received input will feed into the impact assessments and shape the design of any legislative and non-legislative measures. 

Relevant target group of initiative include

• workers applying for jobs cross-borders

• employers hiring workers who obtained their skills and qualifications in another Member State or outside the EU 

• national/regional/local authorities concerned with qualifications and skills

Agenda:

• Introduction and objectives of the consultation
• Presentation of proposed measures
• Open discussion and feedback from participants – based on background note and questions
• Next steps

More Information: The public consultation (launched on 5 December and open for 12 weeks) includes a common Call for Evidence and questionnaire for the three actions.