Time is of the essence, as if you are lucky enough to be licenced in one of the European states that hasn’t yet implemented the new Air Crew regulations below, you will not be affected until after the 8th of April 2013 when all States have to implement the new rules:
Subpart H to Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material to Commission Regulation:
(a) Paragraph (b)(1) of FCL.740 determines that if a class or type rating has lapsed, the applicant shall take refresher training at an ATO. The objective of the training is to reach the level of proficiency necessary to safely operate the relevant type or class of aircraft. The amount of refresher training needed should be determined on a case-by-case basis by the ATO, taking into account the following factors:
(iv) expiry longer than 3 years: the applicant should again undergo the training required for the initial issue of the rating or, in case of helicopter, the training required for the ‘additional type issue’, according to other valid ratings held.