Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000302/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE)
The 2025 annual report on the single market (on which articles have been recently published in the press) highlights a persistent issue affecting the EU’s economic performance: falling productivity and enduring barriers to business. Despite progress in some areas, significant challenges remain, particularly in the services sector, which suffers the most from these barriers.
While trade in goods within the EU has increased from just over 20 % of GDP to 23.8 % between 2018 and today, trade in services has grown only marginally, from 7 % of GDP to 7.8 % during the same period. This disparity underscores the sluggish progress in creating a truly integrated market for services.
The report also notes that many of today’s barriers to providing services are similar to those that existed two decades ago, indicating a lack of significant reform in this area. These barriers stifle competition, limit growth opportunities and hinder the EU’s ability to fully realise the potential of its single market.
What short- and medium-term measures does the Commission plan to implement to address the persistent barriers in the single market for services and to promote a more integrated and competitive market?
Submitted: 23.1.2025