Free movement of goods and services
Citizens of EU Member States are entitled to study, shop, work, retire and live in any member state of the European Union, and to choose between products from every part of Europe. To this end, the free movement of goods, products, services, capital and people within the European Union’s single internal market is ensured. By removing technical, legal and bureaucratic obstacles, citizens are able to trade and do business freely.
Free movement of services
The free movement of services is essential for the completion of the internal market, as it offers great potential in terms of benefits for consumers and SMEs. The aim is to create an open single market for services within the EU, while ensuring that the quality of the services provided to consumers is high. The latest research shows that the benefits in terms of free movement of services, including professional qualifications and retail, amount to EUR 236 billion per year.
Free movement of goods
The elimination of customs duties and quantitative limits, and the prohibition of any measure with an equivalent effect, ensures that goods are able to move freely. The principle of mutual recognition, the elimination of physical and technical obstacles and the promotion of standardisation provide additional support to efforts to complete the internal market. The latest figures indicate that the benefits that stem from the free movement of goods and the related legislation amount to EUR 386 billion per year.