Confused about the possibility of doing different modules in different countries
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Locarno
Confused about the possibility of doing different modules in different countries
Hello all,
I'm making yet another post as I'm very confused about the various requirements and implications in pursuing a modular path in different EASA countries.
My final objective is of course to obtain a EASA "frozen" ATPL, and possibly a pilot job, possibly in Italy. I'm a Swiss citizen so thanks to bilateral agreements I have the famous "right to live and work" in the EU.
I'm now enrolled in a remote PPL ground school in Spain and I will fly there once I'm done, provided that I obtain a medical. They mentioned that once completed, I can apply for the issue of the license in any EASA country. Here is where I start to get confused.
-I could have my PPL issued by the Swiss Authorities, still EASA, very fast to obtain an I actually reside in the country.
-ENAC in Italy is another choice as I hope to work there, although I heard they are extremely slow. The main advantage would be that I won't need to re-do the medical class 1 if I then complete my CPL, MCC/JOC etc modules in there (and I'm afraid about medicals, I have a astigmatism in my right eye of -2.25, by EASA rules an ophthalmologist needs to confirm that I'm fit to fly under -2, in Switzerland I was told is most likely not an issue but what if I re-take the exam some place else and is suddenly not OK? I wasted all my money and time?)
Also (just as an example), what if I plan to do PPL in Spain, CBIR in Hungary, MEP in Lithuania, etc... Would I need a new medical each and every single time? If I want to have an Italian medical and I already hold a Swiss one, is it treated like a renewal (with the renewal regulations AKA no published limits on astigmatism) or it would be like a first time issue?
Finally, if I do get to the point where I can finally apply to a pilot job, would it matter which authority issued my licenses? Or it has to be a specific one?
On a side note, if someone have astigmatism, could you tell me how your experience at the AME was? I enrolled in the theory course without it anyway because worse comes to worse i will undergo a LASIK and correct that tiny amount of astigmatism over the limit, but by the information I have, it shouldn't be that problematic.
Thank you for your patience in answering me!
Luca
I'm making yet another post as I'm very confused about the various requirements and implications in pursuing a modular path in different EASA countries.
My final objective is of course to obtain a EASA "frozen" ATPL, and possibly a pilot job, possibly in Italy. I'm a Swiss citizen so thanks to bilateral agreements I have the famous "right to live and work" in the EU.
I'm now enrolled in a remote PPL ground school in Spain and I will fly there once I'm done, provided that I obtain a medical. They mentioned that once completed, I can apply for the issue of the license in any EASA country. Here is where I start to get confused.
-I could have my PPL issued by the Swiss Authorities, still EASA, very fast to obtain an I actually reside in the country.
-ENAC in Italy is another choice as I hope to work there, although I heard they are extremely slow. The main advantage would be that I won't need to re-do the medical class 1 if I then complete my CPL, MCC/JOC etc modules in there (and I'm afraid about medicals, I have a astigmatism in my right eye of -2.25, by EASA rules an ophthalmologist needs to confirm that I'm fit to fly under -2, in Switzerland I was told is most likely not an issue but what if I re-take the exam some place else and is suddenly not OK? I wasted all my money and time?)
Also (just as an example), what if I plan to do PPL in Spain, CBIR in Hungary, MEP in Lithuania, etc... Would I need a new medical each and every single time? If I want to have an Italian medical and I already hold a Swiss one, is it treated like a renewal (with the renewal regulations AKA no published limits on astigmatism) or it would be like a first time issue?
Finally, if I do get to the point where I can finally apply to a pilot job, would it matter which authority issued my licenses? Or it has to be a specific one?
On a side note, if someone have astigmatism, could you tell me how your experience at the AME was? I enrolled in the theory course without it anyway because worse comes to worse i will undergo a LASIK and correct that tiny amount of astigmatism over the limit, but by the information I have, it shouldn't be that problematic.
Thank you for your patience in answering me!
Luca
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 4
From: Bristol, England
You need to choose an Authority to issue your licence. It can be any EASA Authority. People choose based on their own preferences of language, cost and their view of how easy or reasonably priced they think the Authority will be to deal with. Once you have chosen your Authority (known as the State Of Licence Issue(SOLI)) you get a Class 1 from medical examiners acceptable to them. From that point on you can collect modular certificates from any combination of EASA States, for instance CBIR in Hungary, MEP in Lithuania etc.. The only constraint is that all the ATPL exams have to be taken with a single EASA State, Austro is a common choice. Once you have certificates such as the CBIR pass you can send them on to your SOLI and they will add the rating to your licence. Sometimes you do not pass the certificates directly to the SOLI; in the case of the ATPL exams, for instance, when you apply for your CPL/ATPL you identify on the form which State you used and your SOLI will ask that State directly for confirmation of the exam passes. From the outside the system seems to work reasonably well, the only complaints are from the bureaucratic delays and high charges in some of the States.
As far as the astigmatism goes, although I am not an expert I believe that even though all EASA medicals should be the same there are still differences in how various states apply the rules. In this case it sounds like Switzerland would be a good choice for SOLI but others who have the same issues will undoubtedly be able to give you advice. There may be another State that would be a better SOLI overall. Once you have your Class 1 as long as you keep your licence with, say, Switzerland, you will only be examined under Swiss rules. You will not need to take a medical under any other State unless you switch your licence to have that State keep your records, a new SOLI.
As far as the astigmatism goes, although I am not an expert I believe that even though all EASA medicals should be the same there are still differences in how various states apply the rules. In this case it sounds like Switzerland would be a good choice for SOLI but others who have the same issues will undoubtedly be able to give you advice. There may be another State that would be a better SOLI overall. Once you have your Class 1 as long as you keep your licence with, say, Switzerland, you will only be examined under Swiss rules. You will not need to take a medical under any other State unless you switch your licence to have that State keep your records, a new SOLI.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Locarno
You need to choose an Authority to issue your licence. It can be any EASA Authority. People choose based on their own preferences of language, cost and their view of how easy or reasonably priced they think the Authority will be to deal with. Once you have chosen your Authority (known as the State Of Licence Issue(SOLI)) you get a Class 1 from medical examiners acceptable to them. From that point on you can collect modular certificates from any combination of EASA States, for instance CBIR in Hungary, MEP in Lithuania etc.. The only constraint is that all the ATPL exams have to be taken with a single EASA State, Austro is a common choice. Once you have certificates such as the CBIR pass you can send them on to your SOLI and they will add the rating to your licence. Sometimes you do not pass the certificates directly to the SOLI; in the case of the ATPL exams, for instance, when you apply for your CPL/ATPL you identify on the form which State you used and your SOLI will ask that State directly for confirmation of the exam passes. From the outside the system seems to work reasonably well, the only complaints are from the bureaucratic delays and high charges in some of the States.
As far as the astigmatism goes, although I am not an expert I believe that even though all EASA medicals should be the same there are still differences in how various states apply the rules. In this case it sounds like Switzerland would be a good choice for SOLI but others who have the same issues will undoubtedly be able to give you advice. There may be another State that would be a better SOLI overall. Once you have your Class 1 as long as you keep your licence with, say, Switzerland, you will only be examined under Swiss rules. You will not need to take a medical under any other State unless you switch your licence to have that State keep your records, a new SOLI.
As far as the astigmatism goes, although I am not an expert I believe that even though all EASA medicals should be the same there are still differences in how various states apply the rules. In this case it sounds like Switzerland would be a good choice for SOLI but others who have the same issues will undoubtedly be able to give you advice. There may be another State that would be a better SOLI overall. Once you have your Class 1 as long as you keep your licence with, say, Switzerland, you will only be examined under Swiss rules. You will not need to take a medical under any other State unless you switch your licence to have that State keep your records, a new SOLI.
You have been super kind! I believe I will avoid Italy for now, by experience anything bureaucratic in Italy is generally a terrible experience. While for the medical I will wait for the Class 1 and only get a class 2 which I can get with no delay immediately, and get a class 1 later while I study for the ATPL theory, after I have done laser surgery which requires 3 months of license suspension anyway!
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Locarno
Yes I would, that’s why I’m willing to expedite using this strategy. Worse come to worse I will have a PPL which I would have done anyway. Thanks!
