Canada and EU launch Mutual Recognition Agreement for architects
January 2026On 19 January 2026, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, announced the launch of the Mutual Recognition Agreement for Professional Qualifications of Architects (MRAA) between Canada and the European Union. The full Government of Canada news release can be found here.
The Canada-EU MRAA
This new agreement, developed under the framework of the Canada‑EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), creates a streamlined process for recognising architectural qualifications across both Canada and the EU.
The MRAA aims to facilitate international practice and collaboration for architects from Canada and the EU by eliminating longstanding regulatory barriers to professional mobility.
Key points
- First-of-its-kind agreement: This is the first professional‑services mutual recognition agreement under CETA, positioning both Canada and the EU as leaders in facilitating professional recognition within trade frameworks.
- Greater professional mobility: The MRAA simplifies the recognition of architectural qualifications, enabling Canadian and EU architects to work more easily across borders and increasing opportunities for collaboration.
- Significant economic impact: The agreement supports access to Europe’s $1.1‑trillion building construction market, while enhancing competitiveness within Canada’s own $6.8‑billion architectural services industry (2024).
How to obtain mutual recognition
The Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Architects sets out the process for how Canadian and EU architects can obtain mutual recognition.
EU architects
To obtain recognition of their qualifications and work in Canada, EU architects must:
1. Have a minimum of combined 12 years of education, training and professional experience as an architect, proven with evidence of:
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- formal qualifications meeting the requirements of Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications;
- a minimum of four years of professional experience in a Member State of the European Union obtained after registration, licensing or its equivalent.
2. Have a valid professional registration or licence as an architect from a competent authority of a Member State of the European Union or its equivalent.
3. Be of good character.
Applicants may also face language requirements and must register with the relevant provincial or territorial authorities (listed here) in Canada to obtain permission to work.
Canadian architects
To obtain recognition of their qualifications and work in a Member State of the European Union, Canadian architects must:
1. Have a minimum of 12 years of education, training and professional experience as an architect, proven with evidence of:
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- formal qualifications issued in Canada giving access to the profession of architects as described in Appendix I of Decision No 1/2024, and
- a minimum of four years of professional experience in Canada obtained after registration or licensing,
2. A valid professional registration or licence as an architect from a competent authority in Canada, and
3. Being of good standing.
Applicants may also face language requirements.
Growing global trend toward professional mobility
The new agreement sits alongside other international developments in the architectural sector, including the UK–Canada Mutual Recognition Agreement on architectural qualifications, which streamlines the registration process for eligible architects wishing to practise across both Canada and the UK. The UK-Canada MRA demonstrates a broader global trend towards reducing barriers to professional mobility, of which the Canada‑EU MRAA represents another major milestone.
These developments show a clear and accelerating trend: jurisdictions are increasingly collaborating to facilitate international professional mobility. With the construction sector accounting for significant economic output, expanding professional mobility not only strengthens industry capacity but also supports major infrastructure and development programmes worldwide.
Conclusion
Beale & Co. is uniquely positioned to support architects, firms and industry bodies navigating these international registration pathways.
If you would like tailored advice on cross-border registration, regulatory compliance, or how this MRAA could benefit you, please contact James Hutchinson in London at j.hutchinson@beale-law.com/+44 (0) 20 7469 0408 or Andrés Durán, in Toronto at a.duran@beale-law.com/+1 647 330 2314.
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