What's the shortest amount of time a PhD can be completed in? - (Sep/16/2011 )

doing an extended undergrad is not common in most European countries (correct me when I am wrong), although it is tried to establish it.
Still a rule of thumb for time spent on the different biological degrees here in Europe is: undergrad (with BA or similar) - 3-6 month (although I have not seen many of these people enter a lab during the last 9 years since this degree was introduced at my university); masters degree 1-2 years (depening on PI and time spent on the project by the student - know people who took more than 5 years because they were not focussed on their project);
PhD usually a minimum of 3 years (used to be two years) because of the coursework required- average from what I have seen is 3.5 - 4.5 years again depending on the project, PI and personal motivation of the PhD student. So in total it takes you 4 - 7 years until you get you Master and PhD - which is similar to the US time.

Edit: getting simpler - I think there are too many ways to get through the system without knowing anything afterwards - and always have been. In Austria we have the "problem" that we do not have any restrictions at the universities - so everybody who is qualified to do so can enter every university and study he wants (which is good) but we more or less have the same amount of money, (practical) courses and teachers than 15-20 years ago but more than 10 times as much students. So it is getting easier for the students to hide when they do not know anything.