European Services Directive

Fact: Services make up around 70% of the European economy. Only 20% of these services are delivered abroad.

 

Whatever their business sector, service companies, and especially SMEs, need to cross their national borders in order to achieve sustainable growth. The European Services Directive aims to liberalize the European services market by bringing down the barriers that make them hesitant to take these vital steps.

The free movement of services within Europe – emulating that of persons and goods – will lead to higher levels of competitiveness, increased innovation, stronger economic growth and more jobs.

Doing business with and in Flanders made easy

Companies that are looking to do business with or set up a company in Flanders will benefit from the European Services Directive in two major ways:

Fewer and better rules

Legislation and authorization systems will be screened to determine if they are necessary, complementary and non-discriminatory. Contradictory provisions will be removed. Transparency and administrative simplification are key goals in the Directive. An example? EU service companies no longer need to establish an office in Flanders to offer their services here.

Efficient (online) communication via business.belgium.be

Simultaneously, a unique Internet portal business.belgium.be offers foreign service companies easy and digital access to information on laws and regulation. Once on this portal, service companies  can download or fill out all the necessary formalities to start working abroad. This offers them a clear head-start.