Judgment of the Court (Eighth Chamber) of 2 December 2010 (references for a preliminary ruling from the Simvoulio tis Epikratias (Greece)) — Vassiliki Stylianou Vandorou (C-422/09), Vassilios Alexandrou Giankoulis (C-425/09), Ioannis Georgiou Askoxilakis (C-426/09) v Ipourgos Ethnikis Pedias kai Thriskevmaton

(Joined Cases C-422/09, C-425/09 and C-426/09) (1)

(Articles 39 EC and 43 EC - Directive 89/48/EC - Recognition of diplomas - ‘Professional experience’)

2011/C 30/10

Language of the case: Greek

Referring court

Simvoulio tis Epikratias

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicants: Vassiliki Stylianou Vandorou (C-422/09), Vassilios Alexandrou Giankoulis (C-425/09), Ioannis Georgiou Askoxilakis (C-426/09)

Defendant: Ipourgos Ethnikis Pedias kai Thriskevmaton

Re:

Reference for a preliminary ruling — Simvoulio tis Epikratias — Interpretation of Art. 4(1)(b) of Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years’ duration (OJ 1989 L 19, p. 16) — Interpretation of Art. 1(3) of Directive 2001/19/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2001 amending Council Directives 89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC on the general system for the recognition of professional qualifications and Council Directives 77/452/EEC, 77/453/EEC, 78/686/EEC, 78/687/EEC, 78/1026/EEC, 78/1027/EEC, 80/154/EEC, 80/155/EEC, 85/384/EEC, 85/432/EEC, 85/433/EEC and 93/16/EEC concerning the professions of nurse responsible for general care, dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, midwife, architect, pharmacist and doctor (OJ 2001 L 206, p. 1) — Access to or pursuit of a regulated profession under the same conditions as nationals — Profession of accountant/tax advisor — ‘Professional experience’

Operative part of the judgment

A national authority responsible for recognition of professional qualifications acquired in another Member State is bound, pursuant to Articles 39 EC and 43 EC, to take into account, when setting any supplementary requirements to compensate for substantial differences between the education and training undertaken by an applicant and the education and training required in the host Member State, all practical experience which, in whole or in part, covers those differences.

(1)  OJ C 24, 30.1.2010.