Some EU countries slow to implement regulation that streamlines document recognition

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the reminder? Although an EU regulation that removes legalization requirements for documents issued by one EU country and submitted in another EU country took effect Feb. 16, immigration authorities in some EU countries, including Italy and Spain, have not yet fully implemented it.

What does the change mean? Foreign nationals submitting public documents such as birth, marriage, death, divorce or criminal background certificates that were issued by an EU country should anticipate that they may be requested to obtain authentication and translation of the documents.

• Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
• Documents affected: Public documents issued by an EU country and submitted to authorities in another EU country in support of immigration-related applications.
• Business impact: Applicants submitting affected documents may need to continue to have documents apostilled and officially translated as countries work to adopt the new simpler processes.

Background: Under Regulation 2016/1191, applicants submitting documents issued by an EU member country are no longer required to have them apostilled by the issuing authority. The regulation also abolishes the requirement that a certified copy be submitted with an official translation. The regulation was approved by the EU in June 2016 and member states had until Feb. 15, 2019 to adopt them.

Analysis & Comments: EU and non-EU nationals applying for immigration services should be aware that not all EU member states have fully implemented the regulation and should check with local authorities to determine whether they are still required to obtain apostilles and certified translations for documents.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.