Press Release: Free movement of services and freedom of establishment: Commission takes action against Greece and Germany, closes case against Austria

The European Commission decided to take action to ensure that the Internal Market principles of free movement of services and freedom of establishment are respected in Greece and Germany. The Commission decided to send formal requests to Greece concerning its rules on the establishment of service stations and to Germany concerning its requirements for actions relating to trademarks and patents. These formal requests took the form of ‘reasoned opinions’, the second stage of the infringement procedure laid down in Article 226 of the EC Treaty. If there is no satisfactory reply within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the European Court of Justice. The Commission also decided to send an official request for information to Germany concerning legislation that may restrict the establishment of retail facilities. This formal request took the form of a ‘letter of formal notice’, the first stage of the infringement procedure laid down in Article 226 of the EC Treaty. If there is no satisfactory reply within two months, the Commission may proceed to a ‘reasoned opinion’. Finally, the Commission decided to close infringement proceedings against Austria in relation to restrictions on the free movement of bovine artificial insemination services.