On Thursday 25 July, the European Commission decided to refer Greece and Belgium to the Court of Justice of the European Union for infringement of European legislation governing the internal market.
Professional qualifications. The EU institution considers that Greek legislation does not comply with Directive 2005/36/EC, as amended by Directive 2013/55/EU on the recognition of professional qualifications.
Under Greek law, professionals qualified as school directors and other education managers in other Member States must follow a heavier procedure than that provided for under the directive for professional recognition of their qualifications to be able to work in Greece. This situation makes access to the Greek labour market more difficult for these professionals from other EU countries.
Construction services. In addition, Belgium will have to explain itself before the Court of Justice of the EU for failure to comply with the Services Directive (2006/123/EC).
In the Commission’s view, the Belgian rules on financial guarantees required in the context of the selling of dwellings “in future state of completion” (buying on plan) create an unjustified obstacle for the provision of construction services.
Belgian law requires that non-approved entrepreneurs provide a 100% financial guarantee, as opposed to only a 5% guarantee from approved contractors having gone through a Belgian certification scheme. However, it is extremely difficult for non-Belgian individuals and entrepreneurs to access this procedure. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)