Guidance on Working as a Professional Engineer in Europe

In the UK, other than for specified activities, usually related to operations, there is no legal requirement to register in order to practise as a professional engineer.  However, employers may require their engineers to register with the UK Engineering Council in order to demonstrate that they have achieved an internationally recognised standard of professional competence. Registration will require the demonstration of knowledge and understanding obtained either from an accredited academic course or experience, together with the achievement of defined professional competencies gained through training and experience, normally for a minimum of 4 years post-graduation. Achievement of professional competence is achieved through a written Professional Report and a Professional Interview.

Applicants for registration with the Engineering Council must be members of a licenced UK professional society. Non-UK engineers with equivalent and approved academic and professional qualifications may register with the Engineering Council.

In Portugal, there is no legal requirement to register to practice the profession of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, however the acts for the practice of the profession have been regulated since 2015. 

The employers may require their engineers to register with the Portuguese Association of Engineers (Ordem dos Engenheiros) / Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering College, to demonstrate that they have achieved an internationally recognized standard of professional competence.

Only academic course that confers direct accreditation by Portuguese Association of Engineers is Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, the only existing higher education course in this area in Portugal. Which is provided in two study cycles:

• Undergraduate degree: 1st cycle of studies, duration of 3 years;
• Master’s degree: 2nd cycle of studies, duration of 2 years.

From an accredited academic course or experience, together with obtaining defined professional skills, acquired through training and experience, usually for a minimum of 3 years of graduation.  Getting limited in the acts for the practice of the profession.

Non Portuguese engineers with equivalent and approved academic and professional qualifications can register with the Portuguese Association of Engineers / Naval Engineers College, submitting the achievement of professional competence that is achieved through a written Professional Report.

In Italy the qualification of Naval Engineer is obtained after graduating with an approved (5-year) degree in marine engineering & naval architecture, passing the State Examination which is taken at a naval engineering university and being included in the Register of Naval Construction Personnel held by the Port Authorities having territorial jurisdiction..   Only qualified Naval Engineers are permitted to engage in the design and construction management of ships in maritime or inland navigation pursuant to the Italian Navigation Code.

Non Italians wishing to practise as Naval Engineers in Italy will be required to undertake a written or oral aptitude exam, held in Italian, or carry out an internship.

In Finland there are no legal basis, regulations or practices regarding the registration of a professional engineer. The title Naval Architect or Marine Engineer does not have a legal or otherwise official status in Finland.  However the title is widely accepted in the society to describe graduates of shipbuilding related courses at Aalto University (formerly Helsinki University of Technology) and -Turku University of Applied Sciences.

To practice as a Naval Architect in the maritime industry of Serbia, it is sufficient to have graduated from an approved (5-year) degree in Naval Architecture.  Naval Architects are exempt from the requirement the pass State professional engineering examinations in order to approve/sign project documentation involving design, which will be subject to approval by a Classification Society or equivalent State Authority.

The right to practise as a  professional engineer is obtained after graduating from an approved (5-year) degree course at a Greek university and passing a verbal examination by the Technical Chamber of Greece.

Graduates from approved degree courses non Greek universities are  required to it the examination.

Engineers who wish to work in the Polish maritime industry are required to have a diploma at first engineering level  (level 6 of the Polish Qualification Scheme)  There is no requirement to register in order to practise as a professional engineer.

To practice as a naval architect/maritime engineer in the maritime industry of Spain, it necessary have graduated from an approved (5-year) master's course  in maritime engineering at a Spanish university and be registered with the “Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Navales y Oceánicos, (COIN)”. A foreign title/qualification in maritime engineering must be approved by the Spanish Authorities before registering with COIN.