Press Release: Free movement of services: Commission takes action against Bulgaria (law firms), Luxembourg (medical tests) and Austria (bank accounts)

The European Commission took action to put an end to certain obstacles to the free movement of services in Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Austria. The Commission will send a formal request to Bulgaria concerning national rules that restrict the free circulation of EU lawyers and EU law firms in Bulgaria. This formal request takes the form of a 'reasoned opinion', 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 will also refer Luxembourg to the European Court of Justice over its failure to reimburse the cost of medical tests carried out in another Member State. Finally, the Commission will send a letter of formal notice under Article 228 of the EC Treaty requesting compliance with a previous Court judgement on legislation obliging doctors to open an account at a specific bank.