Belgium given more time to justify medical quotas

The European Commission has extended its suspension of legal action against Austria and Belgium over their quota restrictions on the number of non-nationals permitted to enrol on degree courses for doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and vets. Yesterday’s decision means the commission is prolonging its current freeze on infringement proceedings, in place since 2007, for four more years until December 2016. The suspension is conditional on the two countries gathering definitive evidence on why these courses should be an exception to EU treaty rules on free movement of citizens, which normally guarantee EU nationals with relevant entry qualifications full access to higher education in any member state. Androulla Vassiliou, commissioner for education, culture, multilingualism and youth, welcomed the decision: “The commission has listened carefully to the arguments put forward by Austria and Belgium and taken a balanced approach which safeguards both the freedom of movement of EU citizens and their right to a high level of healthcare. At the end of 2016 we will be able to make a more informed decision about these two specific cases and will have established a solid legal framework in line with rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union that will allow us to address similar problems in other member states, should they arise.” Legal proceedings for non-compliance were initiated against Austria and Belgium in 2007 after both introduced national quotas following a surge in applications by foreign students for places on medical courses. The students mainly came from neighbouring countries using the same language – German students in the case of Austria, and French coming to Belgium.