I am an independent Barbadian pollster who would like to offer my services to a client in Europe. Is that allowed under the EPA?

February 09 2012 | Market Research And Opinion Polling Services

Yes, you are allowed to work in Europe under the following general conditions:

In order to apply for temporary entry, you must be a self-employed pollster (the same criteria apply to Market Researchers) established here in Barbados (or another CARIFORUM territory), and your contract in Europe may not be for a period longer than 12 months.  You are required to have at least six (6) years of experience in the field and must possess a university degree or equivalent qualification, and professional qualifications where required by law.

Your temporary entry will be for no more than six (6) months cumulatively during any 12-month period, or for the length of the contract, whichever is less, (This period is 25 weeks in Luxembourg.) and only the work under the contract is permitted during your stay in Europe.  You will not be permitted to perform any other work.

The following countries impose their own conditions on Independent Market Researchers and Pollsters from Barbados wishing to work in their countries:

Spain, Italy & Poland: An economic needs test will be applied for independent professionals.

Belgium: An economic needs test will be applied.

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Romania, Slovenia & Slovakia: An economic needs test will be applied.

Latvia & Portugal: There is no commitment to permit the supply of public opinion polling services (CPC 86402).

Hungary: An economic needs test will be applied except for public opinion polling services (CPC 86402), where there is no commitment to permit the supply of these services.