Press Release: Free movement of services: Commission takes action against Portugal (estate agents and patent agents), Belgium (access to service activities) and Spain (medical expenses)

The European Commission took action to put an end to certain obstacles to the free movement of services in Portugal, Belgium and Spain. The Commission will take Portugal to the European Court of Justice over its rules on estate agent services. Portugal will receive a formal request regarding its rules on patent agents, as will Belgium regarding its rules requiring prior notification from self-employed professionals wishing to exercise service activities on a temporary basis. These formal requests take 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. Finally, Spain will receive a supplementary reasoned opinion regarding its rules on reimbursement of cross-border medical expenses.