Press Release: Free movement of services: infringement proceedings against Estonia and Portugal

The European Commission decided to pursue infringement proceedings against Estonia and Portugal in the area of free movement of services. The Commission will refer Portugal to the European Court of Justice over its rules on the provision of construction services. The Commission will also formally request Portugal to amend its rules on the provision of estate agent services. Finally the Commission will formally request Estonia to amend its rules on the recognition of medical prescriptions by pharmacists. 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.