Europäischer Rechnungshof - European Court of Auditors
Cross-border provision of services in the EU –progress achieved?
Press invitation
for 25 March 2026
Cross-border provision of services in the EU –progress achieved?
- Online press briefing: Wednesday 25 March at 10.00 a.m. CET
- Publication: Same day at 5.00 p.m. CET
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) would like to invite you to an online press briefing on its upcoming special report on cross-border provision of services in the EU – at 10.00 a.m. CET on Wednesday 25 March 2026.
The purpose of the briefing is to provide a detailed overview of the audit, and to put its conclusions and recommendations into context. There will also be an opportunity to discuss the report with ECA Member Hans Lindblad and representatives of the audit team.
RSVP: Please let us know by 1.00 p.m. on Tuesday 24 March whether you intend to take part in the online briefing; we will then send you detailed instructions on how to connect. To allow for an informed discussion, confirmed participants can receive an embargoed copy of the report and press release upon request ahead of the briefing. Both documents will be published on the ECA website at 5.00 p.m. on Wednesday 25 March.
Background
In the EU, individuals and companies have the right to provide and receive services across borders without discrimination or unjustified restrictions. In practice, the free movement of services promotes economic integration and competition, and underscores the bloc’s single market. However, for years services have found it an uphill struggle to benefit fully from the single market.
The auditors assessed whether the European Commission succeeded in removing barriers to services hindering growth and development in the EU. In addition, they analysed the national barriers and their root causes, looking closely at a sample of six countries: Germany, Estonia, France, Italy, Lithuania, and Hungary. The auditors’ observations are expected to help the Commission to become more effective at integrating the single market for services.
Contact:
ECA press office: press@eca.europa.eu