Services

The EU’s Single Market for Services is a key component of the EU’s economic integration. It aims to create a unified market where services can be provided across the EU without unnecessary barriers.  

 

The core principles governing the single market for services are: 

  • The freedom to establisha company in another EU Member State (as provided for by Article 49 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU); and 
  • The freedom to provide or receive servicesin a different EU Member States from the one where the company or consumer is established (as established by Article 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU ). 

The application of these principles has been developed and clarified by the Court of Justice of the EU and was codified by the EU’s Services Directive (Directive 2006/123/ECon services in the internal market).  

 

For more information on the EU Single Market for Services, please check the dedicated pageon the EU’s Access2Markets website and the dedicated page of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW). 

The EU Single Market for Services also implies the freedom of movement of professionals between EU Member States to exercises their occupation or provide services.  

 

For more information on the EU legislation governing the recognition of professional qualifications in the EU, please check the dedicated pageon the EU’s Access2Markets website and the dedicated page of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW).

The EU’s Internal Market Information (IMI) System is an online tool developed by the European Commission to facilitate cross-border administrative cooperation between public authorities in the EU. It simplifies communication and information exchange, streamlining processes and reducing administrative burdens for businesses and citizens.  

 

For more information, please check the dedicated pagemanaged by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW).

In the framework of the SAAs, the Western Balkan Parties and the EU aim at a progressive alignment of regulation in the services sector and mutual concessions regarding three aspects of trade in services: 

  • Movement of workers: The SAAs contain provisions safeguarding the non-discriminatory treatment of workers from the Western Balkans in the EU Member States and vice versa; 
  • Establishment: The SAAs grant rights to citizens and companies of the EU and the Western Balkan Parties to set up businesses and operate in each other’s respective territories; and 
  • Supply of services: The SAAs recognise the right of companies and individuals to supply services in the other Party’s territory.  

Furthermore, the SAAs provide dedicated rules for financial services, allowing the establishment and operation of financial services providers from all Parties, guaranteeing the necessary prudential regulation to protect financial stability and consumer interests. 

 

For more information on the specific provisions on services agreed upon between the EU and each Western Balkan party, please check the annexes to the respective SAA, available here.

The EU-Moldova Association Agreement facilitates trade in services between the two parties. While the agreement offers significant improvement in the liberalisation of trade in services, specific limitations and reservations exist, particularly regarding market access and temporary movement of professionals.  

 

To learn more about the existing limitations or reservations regarding the supply of services in each of the parties, please check the dedicated page on the EU’s Access2Markets website.