The objective of the Services Directive is to realise the full potential of services markets in Europe by removing legal and administrative barriers to trade. The simplification measures introduced by the Directive have increased transparency and made it easier for businesses and consumers to provide or use services in the Single Market. The Directive was adopted in 2006 and implemented by all EU countries in 2009. The European Commission is now working with EU countries to further improve the Single Market for services.
The Services Directive (Directive 2006/123/EC) brings many benefits to businesses and consumers providing or using services in the EU.
Businesses benefit from:
Customers benefit from:
Learn more about the benefits that the Services Directive brings into practice.
Learn more about the implementation of the Services Directive by EU countries and the steps taken to ensure that the Single Market for Services will be improved.