Posting of workers from the new Member States: the Commission asks the Netherlands to put an end to unjustified restrictions

The European Commission decided on 27 July 2005 to formally request the Netherlands to review its rules whereby businesses from the European Union must obtain work permits for stadd from ceratin member states before they can be temporarily posted to the country to perform services. The Commission considered that this requirement constituted a violation of the rules of the Treaty regarding the freedom to provide services (Article 49 of the EC Treaty).

The Commission's request took the form of a reasoned opinion, a stage which could culminate with bring the Netherlands before the European Court of Justice.