A German state allows EU midwives, including those from Romania, to practice without prior recognition of their diploma, under certain conditions.

In Saarland, Germany, a legislative amendment has come into force that allows midwives from the European Union, including Romania, to start working without prior recognition of their diploma, under certain conditions. This measure comes in response to the staff shortage in the healthcare sector.

According to the new regulations, midwives will be able to work 'temporarily and occasionally' without recognition of their qualifications, but the work permit will be valid for at most one year, to prevent circumventing the standard recognition procedure. The amendment was imposed by the European Commission, which emphasized that Germany cannot restrict the freedom to provide services for citizens of other member states.

So far, these rules apply only in Saarland and concern temporary work, while full recognition of qualifications will be required for permanent employment. Saarland, located at the border with France and Luxembourg, has a stable economy but is not among the wealthiest states in Germany.