Conditions to ease provision of services and mobility of professionals

During the Competitiveness Council, an agreement was reached on general approaches on two proposals of the “Services Package” to make the internal market more effective: • a draft directive laying down rules on notification for authorisation requirements in the services sector, and • a draft directive aimed at carrying out a proportionality test before the adoption of a new regulation of professions. A Council general approach allows starting negotiations within the European Parliament.

“Businesses and professionals are still confronted with disproportionate regulation to provide services across borders. The Services Package is an essential tool to facilitate the movement of people and services. Companies, professionals, and consumers will benefit greatly from better access to different professional activities and services”, said Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business Chris Cardona.

The objective of the Services Directive is to remove barriers to the establishment of service providers and the temporary pro- vision of cross-border services.

The draft directive seeks to improve transparency on the way certain professions are regulated in the member states. More specifically, it aims at ensuring that national measures are proportionate and do not unduly restrict access to professions or create unjustified burdens in the internal market.

Promoting the competitiveness of services markets is essential for the creation of jobs and growth in the EU, with the services sector accounting for around 70% of the EU’s GDP.