Brussels, 19/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission launched infringement procedures on Thursday 18 June against Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Malta, Poland and Spain. The national rules of these countries contain a number of excessive and unjustified obstacles in the area of professional services that run counter to the services directive (Directive 2006/123/EC).
“There are still barriers in a number of member states preventing companies and individuals from providing their services freely across the EU - be it restrictions on legal form and shareholding, professional qualification requirements, or fixed tariffs”, said Internal Market Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska.
The commission requests that these states amend their legislations, particularly with regard to shareholding requirements and prohibitions of multidisciplinary practices and, in some instances, repeal minimum compulsory tariffs.
These six member states now have two months to respond to the arguments put forward by the Commission. (Pascal Hansens)