Brexit FAQs: Recognition of UK Qualified Architects in Ireland after 31 December 2020

The automatic system applies to persons who are EU/EEA nationals, have a recognised qualification in architecture listed in the Annex (7) of the PQD, together with the appropriate accompanying certificate(*8) if applicable.

If you satisfy the above criteria you are eligible for registration as an architect in Ireland. In Ireland this is known as Route D1 and the fee for admission to the Register through this route is €145.

If you are an EU/EEA national and acquired a qualification across two or more Member States(*9) or have a formal qualification from another Member State that is not listed in an Annex to the PQD, or qualified outside the EU/EEA but have been recognised by an EU/EEA Member State for more than three years your application for admission is considered under the general system.

In Ireland the general system route is known as Route D2 . The application fee for Route D2(*10)  where further assessment is not required is €145

On the withdrawal date UK nationals will no longer be EU/EEA nationals and will no longer benefit from EU/EEA rights under the PQD. UK nationals will no longer have access to the register through Routes D1 or D2. UK nationals will be third country nationals.

Applicants that are not EU/EEA nationals are assessed under national law via Route B. After the withdrawal date it is probable that a UK national who was awarded a qualification listed in an Annex to the PQD together with the appropriate accompanying certificate prior to the withdrawal date would not be required to undergo further assessment. In such circumstances a UK national would most likely be eligible for admission to RIAI membership and subsequently admission to the Register. The application fee for Route B where further assessment is not required is €145.

Brexit will not affect decisions made in relation to the recognition of professional qualifications awarded in the UK before the withdrawal date. This means that for the purpose of automatic recognition the RIAI will continue to recognise any UK formal qualification listed in an Annex to the PQD awarded to an EU/EEA national prior to the withdrawal date.

UK nationals will be assessed for admission to the register via national law: Route B. However it is probable that only that part of your qualification which is not prescribed in Irish law or not listed in an Annex to the PQD and awarded prior to the withdrawal date will need to be assessed.

Qualifications awarded in the UK after the withdrawal date are third country qualifications for the purpose of EU law. Recognition of such a qualification will cease to be covered by the PQD but will be covered by national law.

For the purpose of registration under national law the RIAI proposes to recognise UK formal qualifications in architecture listed in Annex V that were awarded to persons after the withdrawal date where that person had applied for admission onto such a course prior to the result of the Brexit referendum on 24 June 2016(*12). The RIAI will also accept the appropriate certificate accompanying the evidence of such qualification issued by the ARB.

All UK qualifications listed in an Annex of the PQD on the date of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU/EEA that were awarded prior to the exit date will continue to be recognised by the RIAI and will not be affected by Brexit.

After the withdrawal date UK nationals will no longer benefit from Directive rights such as automatic recognition or provision of services on a temporary and occasional basis. Only persons with EU/EEA nationality can benefit from rights under the Directive.

No. All applications received prior to the withdrawal date will be processed to conclusion.

Your temporary and occasional registration will expire on the withdrawal date as you will be neither an EU/EEA national nor established in a Member State.

Your temporary and occasional registration will expire on the withdrawal date because the UK will no longer be an EU/EEA Member State.

Brexit will not affect the manner in which the RIAI processes applications for admission to the Register and no inordinate delay is anticipated. There has been an increase in applications due to Brexit but to date this has not affected the processing time for applications.

The RIAI proposes to recognise the qualifications of persons who commenced their course of study prior to the Brexit referendum of 24 June 2016.

Recognition in this situation will be dependent on any future agreement between the EU/UK and/or IRL/UK as to the UK agreeing to maintain the minimum training conditions set out in Article 46 of the Directive.

The required documents are listed on the Application Form and are explained in the Applicant Guidance. Incomplete applications cannot be processed. Please ensure you submit all requested documents including Original documents, where requested. A registration certificate cannot be accepted in place of any Directive 2005/36/EC statement or attestation.

Applications cannot be accepted by email.

All Admission Routes incur a fee, which is noted on the Application Form along with the payment options. The fee is a once-off administration fee, payable on application that covers the cost of processing and evaluating the application. The Application and Admissions Procedure is outlined in the Applicant Guidance.

The title architect is protected in Ireland, so to describe yourself or your practice using the word architect you have to be registered. RIAI Membership is optional and currently free.

RIAI Practice Membership is the term used to describe practice membership of the RIAI. This is distinct from both individual membership and statutory registration. Practice Membership with the Institute is available to MRIAI or FRIAI members. Information on RIAI Practice Membership can be found here.