Press Release: Internal Market: Commission inquires into restrictions on estate agents’ activities in Cyprus

The European Commission decided to send Cyprus an official request for information on its national legislation restricting the activities of estate agents. The Law adopted in July 2007, after an initial letter of formal notice was sent in July 2006 concerning the provisions of Law 273/2004, does in fact pose certain conditions upon the recognition of the qualifications of the professionals of other Member States and imposes limits upon the exercise of this profession by legal persons, as well as upon the freedom to provide services in this sector. The Commission considered that these provisions may be incompatible with Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications, and with Articles 43 and 49 of the EC Treaty guaranteeing the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services within the European Union respectively. The letter of formal notice is the first step in an infringement procedure under Article 226 of the EC Treaty. Cyprus has two months to reply.