Many international aviation students from the U.K. who have reviewed our EASA ATP program and realized that it offers better career prospects and much lower cost of training, are asking us how to convert CAA (UK) PPL and other licenses to the EASA format. So, here is a short article discussing these questions.
First of all, since Brexit, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have operated as completely separate aviation regulatory bodies. Pilots who once held licenses valid across Europe now face a split regulatory framework, making conversion between UK CAA and EASA licenses essential for those seeking flight privileges in both jurisdictions.
The need to convert a UK-issued license to an EASA one arises from such considerations as employment search in an EU-based airline or AOC holder, pursuit of training or instruction roles within the EU, maintaining career flexibility across both the UK and EU, regulatory compliance for license renewal, revalidation, or upgrades, and so on.
Prior to January 1, 2021, the UK was a member of EASA, and license holders issued by the UK CAA had full rights to operate across all EASA member states. Following the UK’s departure from the EU, the UK formally ceased to participate in EASA, making its licenses “third-country” certificates from the perspective of EASA.
This change means that the UK licenses are no longer automatically recognized in EASA member states, pilots must go through a conversion or validation process to obtain equivalent EASA privileges. (This conversion process is governed by Annex I to Regulation EU No 1178/2011, particularly the Appendix 3 provisions on third-country license conversion).
Converting UK CAA PPL to EASA PPL
The UK CAA PPL is an ICAO-compliant private pilot license. However, converting it to an EASA PPL now requires a formal process due to its third-country status.
Conversion Requirements:
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Pass all 9 EASA PPL theoretical exams (no credits from UK CAA exams)
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EASA PPL skill test with an EASA-certified examiner
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Hold or obtain an EASA Class 2 medical certificate
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Provide verification of UK license from the CAA
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Demonstrate ICAO English Language Proficiency (Level 4+)
Some EASA member states may require a minimum number of dual instruction hours before the skill test can be taken.
Converting CAA Instrument Rating (IR) to EASA IR
The UK CAA IR (whether as part of CPL/ATPL or standalone) no longer carries over into EASA privileges. Pilots must now convert their UK IR under specific criteria.
Conversion Pathway
Depending on whether the UK IR is current and valid, the typical process includes:
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EASA ATPL theory exams: At a minimum, EASA IR (A) theory exams must be passed, often through an approved ATO.
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Skill Test (IR): Conducted by an EASA-approved examiner in accordance with EASA Part-FCL.
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Minimum flying hours under IFR: Must meet EASA Part-FCL experience requirements.
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License verification: Directly from UK CAA to the EASA authority.
For holders of a UK CB-IR (Competency-Based Instrument Rating), similar processes apply, but with some flexibility on training hours depending on experience.
Converting CAA ATPL (Frozen) to EASA ATPL (Frozen)
A “Frozen” ATPL refers to a license holder who has Passed all ATPL theoretical knowledge exams, Holds a CPL with Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) but has not yet met the minimum flight experience (1,500 hours) required to unfreeze the ATPL. So, the frozen ATPL is functionally equivalent to a CPL + MEIR, but with all theoretical credits required to upgrade to a full ATPL.
Current EASA Conversion Requirements
If a pilot holds a UK CAA Frozen ATPL and seeks to obtain an EASA Frozen ATPL, the conversion will generally involve the following:
1. Theoretical Knowledge
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No credit is given for UK ATPL theory exams post-Brexit.
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You must retake all 13/14 EASA ATPL theory exams via an EASA-approved ATO.
2. Flight Training & Experience
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Logbook evidence of flight experience meeting EASA CPL + MEIR minimums.
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Flight time from the UK license may still be credited for these minimums.
3. Flight Tests
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EASA CPL Skill Test
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EASA IR Skill Test (if not separately endorsed)
4. English Language Proficiency
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ICAO Level 4 or higher, endorsed by an EASA examiner.
5. Medical Certification
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EASA Class 1 Medical Certificate required prior to issuance.
6. License Verification
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A formal letter from the UK CAA confirming the validity of your current licenses and ratings.
Frozen to Full ATPL (CAA and EASA)
Upgrading your Frozen ATPL to the full one is not a passive process, and it doesn’t happen automatically with gaining of the required aeronautical experience. If you’ve met all of the following EASA ATPL unrestricted requirements, and submitted the proof of this to your local EASA-member aviation authority, your ATPL will become unrestricted. You will need to log:
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1,500 total flight hours
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500 hours multi-pilot aircraft (or equivalent)
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100 hours night, 75 hours instrument, etc.
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You submit documentation to the competent EASA authority
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License is upgraded from ATPL Frozen to full ATPL (A) with all associated privileges.
Note: The process of “unfreezing” the ATPL is only possible within the issuing regulatory system. So if you hold a UK Frozen ATPL, you must convert it to EASA first before “unfreezing” it under EASA. If the license is “unfrozen” means that pilot can now act as PIC in the EASA airline operations. In other words, he can upgrade from First Officer to Captain.
Beware of European non-EASA Countries
As we mentioned previously, some countries that are located in Europe, and even on the EU may not be members of EASA. Here is the list of such countries:
E.U. Members, not in the EASA:
Cyprus and Malta are EU members that have opted to retain their own national aviation safety oversight instead of delegating regulatory authority to EASA. This means pilots licensed by the Cyprus DCA or Transport Malta Civil Aviation Directorate are regulated under those authorities, even though they’re within the EU. These countries still recognize EASA licenses and work within the general EU aviation framework, but they issue and manage licenses independently of EASA.EU Members, but not
European Countries, not in the E.U. and not in the EASA
Countries that are geographically in Europe but are not members of either the EU or EASA include: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, Moldova, North Macedonia, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. These nations operate their own civil aviation authorities and regulatory frameworks outside the jurisdiction of EASA and the European Union.
Plan Strategically for Career Flexibility
If an international, non-EU student pilot—for example, from India—wants to pursue a professional aviation career in Europe, it is crucial that they complete their training in an EASA member state. Doing so ensures their license is issued by an EASA authority, which provides maximum flexibility for employment opportunities across all EASA member countries. Training in the UK, while high quality, results in a UK CAA license, which is no longer part of EASA since Brexit. This severely limits job prospects to the UK alone, and even then, only if the student is able to secure a work visa—something notoriously difficult for new graduates. This is precisely why our EASA ATPL program is conducted in Romania, a full EU and EASA member state. Romania not only offers high-quality flight training at nearly half the cost of schools in the UK or Germany, but also provides a clear EU immigration pathway through a 3.5-year instructor internship, giving students both license portability and long-term career stability in Europe.
Questions? Comments?
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