The Point of Single Contact for North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW)
The Point of Single Contact (referred to as "EA" hereafter) is an online service catering to both service providers and specialists operating within North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and abroad. This platform aids them in navigating all the requisite procedures and formalities necessary within North Rhine-Westphalia for the commencement of a service activity or the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. For inquiries regarding the content, please direct your questions to the EA NRW office.
Request to the EA
E-Mail: info@nrw-ea.de
Telephone: +49 5231 7134 50
Telephone service times: Mo. bis Fr. 8:00 - 10:00 Uhr
About us
The primary objective of the EA is to facilitate the provision of cross-border services and minimize bureaucratic impediments, as articulated in the European Union Services Directive. It offers comprehensive support throughout the various procedures and formalities essential for initiating a service activity or obtaining recognition for foreign professional qualifications. Numerous application submissions for business startups are conveniently accessible through the NRW Business Service Portal (WSP.NRW). Additionally, our website hosts a wealth of information guiding you through the recognition process for your foreign professional qualifications.
It is imperative to note that EA services are rendered free of charge, though competent authorities may impose fees for processing your applications.
The Point of Single Contact for North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW)
How Can the Singular Point of Contact Assist You?
As the solitary point of contact for all matters related to services, startups, and career recognition, EA provides the following services:
- Information pertaining to the requisite procedural steps for the commencement or pursuit of your business venture.
- Coordination and mediation of procedures between you and the competent authorities.
- Information regarding chambers, registers, and extracts.
- Formal assessment of application completeness.
- Information about consulting services.
Contact Points in Germany
At the national level, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) bears the responsibility for implementing the EU Services Directive. Its mandate encompasses coordinating the directive's implementation across the 16 federal states and offering inter-state support.
The individual federal states are tasked with executing specific measures, leading to divergent EA models within each state. If you intend to establish yourself in a different federal state, you will receive competent guidance accordingly.
The Singular Point of Contact in Europe
Since December 2009, the establishment of a singular point of contact has become legally binding in all European Union (EU) member countries. All EAs across EU member states are integrated into the European Union Points of Single Contact (EUGO) network. Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway participate voluntarily.
Legal Foundation
The EA operates on the basis of various legal foundations, formulated as follows:
Services Directive 2006/123/EC
The Services Directive references Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, dated December 12, 2006, pertaining to services in the internal market. Its core objective is to fortify the European internal market, simplifying expansion opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises beyond their national borders. This directive encompasses all commercial, craft, and professional activities, excluding activities in sectors such as finance, health, transport, temporary agency work, and private security services. Article 6 of this directive obliges Member States to ensure that service providers can undertake all necessary procedures and formalities for the establishment and operation of their services via points of single contact.
Professional Recognition Directive
Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, dated September 7, 2005, regulates the recognition of professional qualifications. Its primary objective is to streamline and enhance the recognition process for professional qualifications, thereby facilitating the recognition of vocational training qualifications for EU citizens within Germany. This directive contributes to a more flexible labor market by automating the recognition of professional qualifications and simplifying administrative procedures. Directive 2013/55/EU subsequently amended this directive, stipulating that all procedures and formalities under the Professional Recognition Directive can also be conducted through the Point of Single Contact.
Economic Portal Act North Rhine-Westphalia
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the requirements stemming from the EU Services Directive and the EU Professional Recognition Directive regarding the establishment of a single point of contact are transposed into national law through the enactment of the Act on the portal for economic-related administrative services (Wirtschafts-Portal-Gesetz Nordrhein-Westfalen, WiPG).
common.download:
Broschüre zur EU-Dienstleistungsrichtliniecommon.download:
Handbuch zur Umsetzung der EU-Dienstleistungsrichtliniecommon.download:
EU-Dienstleistungsrichtliniecommon.download:
Berufsanerkennungsrichtliniecommon.download:
Berufsanerkennungrichtlinie (Novelle 2013)common.download:
EA-Verfahrensverzeichnis extern Stand 25.01.22