EU Services Directive

NEW: Take a look at this European Commission video about the benefits of the Point of Single Contact. 

In the UK, the Point of Single contact is UKWelcomes, a site provided by by Business Link.

EU Member states were required to implement the Directive by 28 December 2009. BIS leads on implementation in the UK and has worked closely with other Government Departments, the devolved administrations, local authorities, regulators and others in tasks such as screening legislation for compliance with the Directive. We have also worked to establish an online ‘Point of Single Contact’ for service providers to find out about doing business in the UK and apply for licences online.

Are you a business in the services industry?

You can increasingly apply online for any licences you need in other EU countries through their Points of Single Contact, which can be found at www.eu-go.eu. You can identify Points of Single Contact in other European countries by the EU-GO logo:

As a result of the Services Directive, new features have been added on Business Link to enable fully online licence applications: click here for the Apply for Licences page.

Businesses from outside of the UK can access online licence applications and information about doing business in the UK at UK Welcomes: www.ukwelcomes.businesslink.gov.uk

This European Commission video also highlights the benefits of the Point of Single Contact (Business Link in the UK).

We also produced Guidance for Businesses on the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, which provides more details of the benefits and obligations of the Services Directive. Obligations of the Services Directive on businesses are summarised on this Business Link page.

Consumers

The European Consumer Centre for Services is a portal with information about your rights when buying services in other EEA countries. It's a new free website and telephone service for consumers that provides general information on consumer laws and rights when buying a service in other European countries.

Services that UK consumers can get advice on include tourism services such as hotels, timeshares and car hire; construction services such as architects, builders, electricians and plumbers; estate agents and letting agents; private education providers such as language schools; and accountancy services and lawyers.

The website also has contact details of organisations that could provide practical assistance in the case of dispute.

Other Government Departments, Devolved Administrations and Competent Authorities including Local Authorities

We have published practical guidance on how to remain compliant with the continuing obligations of the Services Directive: 

What to do if your work affects service businesses: guidance for departments and competent authorities on the Provision of Service Regulations 2009 (PDF, 951 Kb) 

The Directive was brought into UK law by the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, which came into effect on the 28th December 2009. The Regulations affect a very wide range of service businesses. This guidance is aimed at those bodies who set rules or requirements which service providers have to comply with, and those who are involved in authorising service providers (i.e. ‘competent authorities’). These bodies include Government Departments, Devolved Administrations, local authorities, licensing and authorisation bodies and other authorities such as professional bodies or bodies who maintain required registers or deliver required training qualifications. The guidance contains user friendly flowcharts which will guide you through the steps that you need to take, and point you to the sections of the guidance that you will need to look at.

Competent Authorities including Local Authorities

• Information for Local Authorities 
• Information for Competent Authorities 
• List of formalities within scope of the directive
• Internal Market Information system (IMI): an internet based, secure messaging system developed by the European Commission. Under Article 29 of the Service Directive, Competent Authorities in all EEA Member States are obliged to provide mutual assistance to each other if requested, by electronic means.
• The Electronic Licence Marketing System (ELMS) is a resource is intended to help you and your colleagues implement and maintain the Services Directive within your authority and meet your legal obligations under the “Provision of Services Regulations 2009”.  

Other Government Departments and Devolved Administrations

For the latest Primary Legislation Checklists, click here for our Services Directive Implementation Updates page.

Screening flowcharts and formality lists can now be found on the Legislation pages.

Previous updates

Previous updates can be found on our old home page.

Text of the EU Services Directive

EU Service Directive Final Text 27 December 2006 (PDF) 

If you require further information or would like to receive regular updates, give feedback, ask questions or share views on the Services Directive, please email us at: servicesdirective@bis.gsi.gov.uk

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