What provisions are included in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the countries of CARIFORUM (Including Barbados) and the European Union for persons engaged in Midwifery, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Para-Medical Services?

February 09 2012 | Midwifery, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Paramedical

In general, market access has been granted to Barbadian entities in the EU in the service categories of Midwifery, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Paramedical service.  This means that they are able to invest in or establish a legal operation in these areas in European countries that are members of the Union. There are general conditions applicable across these categories in some countries.

Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Greece, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, and Slovenia all place limitations on the acquisition of land and real estate.
Estonia, Finland, Italy, Romania and Sweden have requirements of local citizenship or residency of senior management or Board of Directors.
In Poland, there are limitations on the type of business that Barbadian service providers may operate or own.
Bulgaria, France, Finland and Italy place limitations on the type of investment that Barbadian firms may make, e.g. putting a limit on the maximum percentage for foreign shareholding or voting rights, and the EU in general has limitations on the treatment that is extended to branches and agencies.

The EPA treats Midwifery, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Paramedical services generally as belonging to a single category.  There are, however, some differences in how each one of the services is treated in some European countries.
This access is subject to the following conditions:

MIDWIVES
For midwives, Bulgaria, Finland, Malta & Slovenia have made no commitment to permit the provision of this service. In France, while other types of legal form are available for EC investors, foreign investors only have access to the legal forms of "société d'exercice liberal" and "société civile professionnelle.” In Lithuania, an economics needs test may be applied prior to a Barbadian company being allowed access with the employment situation among midwives in Lithuania being the primary criterion in the determination.

NURSES, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS & PARAMEDICAL PERSONNEL SERVICES
Following are the market access restrictions in specific countries for Barbadian Nursing, Physiotherapy and Paramedical service providers interested in investment or operating in Europe under the Economic Partnership Agreement:

Austria: Foreign investors are only allowed in the following activities: nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians and nutritionists

Bulgaria & Malta: There is no commitment to permit the provision of this service via this mode.

Finland & Slovenia: There is no commitment to permit the provision of physiotherapists and paramedical personnel services via this mode

France: While other types of legal form are available for EC investors, foreign investors only have access to the legal forms of "société d'exercice liberal" and "société civile professionnelle.”

Lithuania: Economic needs test may be applied. Main criteria: employment situation in the sub-sector.

Latvia: Economic needs test will be applied for foreign physiotherapists and paramedical personnel. Main criterion: employment situation in the given region.