Your Europe, your rights : a practical guide for citizens and businesses on their rights and opportunities in the EU’s single market.
Date: 2015-01-21
Institutions: Directorate-General for the Internal Market and Services
Subjects: administrative formalities, domestic market, free movement of goods, free movement of persons, single market, trade policy, user guide

Your Europe
Your rights

A practical guide for  
citizens and businesses  
on their rights and  
opportunities in  
the EU’s single market

Know your rights, 

use your rights 

By freephone
00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*)

By e-mail or by visiting your 
local Europe Direct Information 
Centre
http://europedirect.europa.eu

Find practical information on 
your rights and opportunities 
in the EU
http://europa.eu/youreurope

(*)  Certain mobile phone  

operators do not allow access  
to 00 800 numbers, or these 
calls may be charged.

 
Contents

Introduction 

1.   Looking for a job abroad 

2.   Getting unemployment benefit abroad 

3.    Getting your professional qualifications recognised 

4.   Paying taxes 

5.   Accessing social security 

6.   Claiming pension rights 

7.   Getting healthcare abroad 

8.   Studying abroad 

9.   Online shopping 

10.   Buying or selling a car 

11.   Enjoying your passenger rights 

12.   Making cheaper mobile calls 

13.   Paying, borrowing and investing 

14.   Setting up and expanding a business 

15.   Financing your business 

16.   Buying and selling goods 

17.   Providing services abroad 

18.   Paying company taxes 

19.   Protecting your intellectual property 

20.   Competing for public contracts 

Defending your rights and seeking redress 

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5

Introduction

This booklet presents your rights and opportunities in the EU’s single market. Are you 
running an SME? This booklet can help you identify sources of financing, access new 
markets and cut through red tape. Are you a student, jobseeker, consumer or worker? This 
booklet gives you tips on working, travelling or studying in the EU. Whoever you are, there 
are advantages and opportunities for you in the EU’s single market. 

This  guide  will  help  you  learn  about  the  many 
opportunities  the  single  market  has  to  offer  and 
allow  you  to  fully  exploit  them.  In  some  areas 
similar  rules  apply  even  beyond  the  EU  (Iceland, 
Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).

This  booklet  reflects  the  situation  in  October 
2014.  Although  many  barriers  have  been  lifted, 
the  single  market  is  an  evolving  European  project 
and  more  opportunities  will  open  up  to  you  in  the 
future. For up-to-date information, please check the 
Internet links at the bottom of each page.

And if you find yourself in a situation where your 
rights  are  not  being  upheld,  or  would  simply  like 
some  advice,  there  are  many  EU  services  that  can 
help  you  find  a  solution  or  get  redress  —  find  out 
about them at the end of this guide.

The  single  market  has  changed 

the  way 
Europeans  work,  learn,  buy  and  sell  around  the 
continent.  In  the  past,  a  short  trip  to  a  neighbour-
ing  country  was  no  easy  feat;  it  would  most  likely 
start  with  a  stop  at  a  currency  exchange  desk  and 
require paperwork for a potential visit to the doctor 
or hospital and paying duties on even the smallest 
of souvenirs. And if you found a problem with that 
souvenir when you got home, you could forget about 
getting  a  refund.  Nor  could  you  have  been  entirely 
sure it was safe, as standards around Europe varied.
And if you had a business at the time, the bureau-
cracy  involved  in  trading  or  providing  services  in 
another EU country would have been a major obsta-
cle in your plans to expand abroad.

Significant progress has been achieved over the 
last  years.  As  an  individual  or  business,  you  now 
enjoy concrete benefits thanks to the single EU mar-
ket.  You  have  access  to  more,  better  quality  and 
cheaper  goods  and  services.  You  enjoy  the  same 
high  level  of  business  and  consumer  protection  in 
any country.  And you can start a company, sell your 
products and do business in a market of 500 million 
people across the EU.

6

1. Looking for a job abroad

As an EU national, you have the right to work in another EU country without a work permit.

same treatment as locals

this could be you 

When looking for work abroad, you have the same 
rights  as  nationals  of  the  host  country  regarding 
access  to  work  (except  for  certain  public  sector  jobs 
which involve the exercise of public authority powers 
and  the  safeguard  of  general  interests  of  the  state), 
assistance  from  employment  services  and  financial 
support to help you find work.

Some  types  of  financial  support  to  help  you  find 
work  require  you  to  have  established  a  genuine  link 
with the local labour market.

Job vacancies in europe

You  can  find  job  vacancies  in  other  EU  coun-
tries  on  the  European  jobs  portal  EURES  (European 
Employment Services): http://ec.europa.eu/eures

In  some  EU  countries,  nationals  of  Croatia  may 
temporarily  still  need  a  work  permit  to  become  an 
employee. All restrictions will be removed by the end 
of 2020 at the latest.

you may get support when looking for work abroad
Valdis is Latvian and has moved to Finland to look for 
work. As an EU national, he has full access to the local 
employment  service  and  can  get  their  support  while 
looking  for  vacancies.  He  learns  that  the  job  centre 
organises  a  1-day  workshop  on  drafting  an  effective 
CV to maximise the chances of getting an interview. He 
applies for the training and is entitled to attend under 
the same conditions as Finnish nationals.
Later, he starts sending out CVs to potential employers, 
goes to two interviews, but he doesn’t get the job. 
His finances are running low, so he applies for a special 
jobseekers’ benefit which aims at facilitating jobseekers’ 
access to the labour market. 
However, before agreeing to pay financial benefits, the 
Finnish authorities can assess whether an EU citizen has 
established a genuine link with the local labour market.
Their assessment of Valdis’ qualifications, the length of 
his  stay  and  efforts  to  get  a  job  is  positive  and  they 
decide to grant him benefits.

Need help?  
More information?

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/work-abroad/work-related-rights/index_en.htm

2. Getting unemployment benefit abroad

If unemployed, you can get help finding a job in another EU country.

looKing for worK abroad

if you don’t find worK 

If  you  are  receiving  unemployment  benefits,  you 
can  arrange  with  your  employment  service  to  go 
to  another  EU  country  to  look  for  a  job  and  carry  on 
receiving  that  benefit  —  usually  for  3  months  with  a 
possibility to extend up to 6 months. To do this, you have 
to apply for authorisation (using a U2 or E 303 form).

If  you  do  not  find  a  job  within  the  3  months  cov-
ered by your authorisation, you can apply for a 3-month 
extension.  For  this,  you  need  to  apply  before  your 
authorisation  expires  to  the  national  employment  ser-
vice in the country where you became unemployed, not 
the service in the host country.

Generally, you must first have been registered with 
the  employment  services  in  the  country  where  you 
became unemployed for at least 4 weeks.

If you want to keep your entitlement to unemploy-
ment benefit for a longer period, you have to return to 
the country where you became unemployed within the 
time limit set out in your authorisation.

formalities in the host country 

To avoid any interruption in your benefit payments, 
you will need to present your authorisation and register 
locally as a jobseeker with the national unemployment 
services  within  7  days  of  leaving  the  country  where 
you became unemployed. If you register any later, your 
benefits will be paid only from the day you register.

You  will  then  have  access  to  local  jobseeker 
assistance  services  and  will  have  to  comply  with  the 
obligations and control procedures of the local employ-
ment service.

this could be you  

be sure to apply for your extension in time 
João from Portugal goes to Hungary, taking with him a 
U2 form (formerly the E 303) so he can keep recei ving 
unemployment  benefit  for  3  months  during  his  stay. 
But he stays longer. 
When  João  goes  back  to  Portugal,  he  loses  his  enti-
tlement  to  unemployment  benefit.  To  avoid  this, 
you  should  always  apply  for  an  extension  from  your 
national  employment  centre  before  the  end  of  the 
3-month authorised period.

7

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http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/unemployment-and-benefits/unemployment/index_en.htm

8

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3.  Getting your professional  
qualifications recognised

As an EU national, you have the right to practise your profession in another EU country.

recognition of qualifications

If your profession is not regulated in the host coun-
try, you can practise it there under the same conditions 
as  nationals  of  that  country,  even  without  an  official 
certificate of recognition.

If your profession is regulated in the host country, 
you  might  need  to  get  your  qualifications  officially 
 recognised there.

If your profession is regulated there but not in your 
home country, you may also have to prove you have 
practised in your home country for at least two of the 
last 10 years.

You  can  find  out  which  rules  apply  to  your  pro-
fession  and  where  to  find  the  national  contact  point 
(http://ec.europa.eu/
by  consulting  our  database 
internal_market/qualifications/regprof).

certified copies of documents

The  authorities  may  ask  for  certified  copies/
translations  of  key  documents  in  your  application, 
such  as  certificates  proving  your  qualifications.  
If you want to practise as an architect, dentist, doctor, 

midwife, nurse, pharmacist or veterinary surgeon, the 
host country may require a certificate of qualification 
from the responsible authority in your country stating 
that  you  have  met  the  minimum  European  training 
requirements for this profession.

this could be you

check  what  conditions  apply  before  you  start 
working!
Mojca, a general care nurse trained in Slovenia, wants to 
work in Munich, Germany. This should be easy because 
general care nurses benefit from automatic recognition 
of their qualification. However, she does not know where 
to apply for recognition of her Slovenian qualification.
She  contacts  the  German  national  contact  point  for 
re cognition of professional qualifications, which provides 
the address of the responsible authority in Bavaria. The 
contact  point  also  helps  her  with  the  administrative 
 formalities she needs to complete.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/work-abroad/recognition-of-professional-qualifications/index_en.htm

4. Paying taxes

If you move to another country, you may face tax obligations in both your home country 
and your host country. 

no eu-wide rules on taxation

tax residence

There  is  no  Europe-wide  law  that  says  how  EU 
nationals  living  and  working  in  another  EU  country 
are to be taxed on their work income. Instead you will 
be  covered  by  the  relevant  national  laws  and  double  
taxation agreements between countries.

equal treatment

You should not be treated differently than the nation-
als of your host country for tax purposes if you are in a 
similar situation to them. Furthermore, you should get 
the  same  tax  deductions  in  respect  of  payments  (for 
example for a mortgage) to, and income earned in your 
home country, as you would get if you made those pay-
ments or received income in your host country.

income tax

The country where you work will normally tax the 
income you earn on its territory. If you are living in a 
country  other  than  the  country  where  you  work,  the 
country where you live might also tax the income you 
earned in the country where you work.

Fortunately, most countries have concluded inter-
national agreements to prevent double taxation. These 
usually make the tax authorities of the country where 
you live deduct the tax that you have paid in another 
country from the taxes that you have to pay to them.

If you spend more than 6 months a year in another 
EU country, you might be considered a tax resident there. 
That country might then be able to tax your total income 
from all countries worldwide.

If you spend less than 6 months a year in another 
country,  you  would  normally  remain  a  tax  resident  in 
your home country (the country where you live for most 
of the year). In that case, you would be subject to tax 
in your host country only on income and gains earned 
in that country.

this could be you  

you may be entitled to deductions in your country 
of work — even for contributions to foreign pen-
sion funds
Sven,  a  Swedish  national  employed  and  resident  in 
Denmark, is continuing to pay premiums to a Swedish 
pension fund under a contract he signed before coming 
to Denmark.
Denmark must allow Sven a deduction against Danish 
tax  on  his  salary  because  such  deductions  would  be 
allowed for premiums paid to Danish pension funds.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/taxes/index_en.htm

9

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10

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5. Accessing social security

When moving within the EU, you only pay social security contributions in one country at 
a time, even if you are working in more than one. Generally, you will also receive social 
security benefits exclusively from this country.

country covering social security

this could be you

As a basic rule, you are covered by the legislation of 
the country where you actually work as an employed or 
a self-employed person and this is where you pay con-
tributions. It does not matter where you live or where 
your employer is based.

The country where you work is responsible for your 
social  security  coverage  even  if  you  commute  at  least 
once a week from another EU country. 

If  you  become  unemployed,  you  should  register 
with  the  employment  services  and  claim  unemploy-
ment benefits in the country where you last worked or 
in your country of residence if you were commuting.

your social security remains the same if you are 
posted to another eu country
Karel owns the Rainbow Painting Company in the Czech 
Republic  which  has  an  order  for  work  in  Luxembourg 
for  2  months.  The  company  sends  six  painters  to  do 
the work.
If all the conditions of posting are met, they will still be 
covered by the Czech social security legislation during 
their time working in Luxembourg.
Rainbow will remain their employer, even if they tem-
porarily receive daily orders from another company on 
the site.

short-term assignments

being unemployed

To  avoid  frequent  changes  in  your  social  security 
coverage, an exception is made for short assignments 
when posted by your employer: you remain covered in 
the country from which you were sent for a maximum 
of 2 years.

If  you  receive  unemployment  benefits,  you  are 

co vered by the country that pays your benefits.

If you don’t receive unemployment benefits and are 
not working, you are covered by the legislation of the 
country in which you reside.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/unemployment-and-benefits/index_en.htm

6. Claiming pension rights

If you have lived and worked in more than one EU country, you may have accumulated  
pension rights in each. If you meet the national entitlement conditions, each country  
will pay you a separate pension, proportionate to the years you worked there.

maKing a claim

other pensions

You should make a claim to the pension authority 
where you live. If you have never worked there, contact 
the  authority  in  the  country  where  you  last  worked. 
They  will  be  your  ‘contact  institution’  and  liaise  with 
the  authorities  in  all  the  other  countries  where  you 
have worked to put together your insurance history.

Each  country  will  check  whether  you  meet  their 
national  requirements  for  an  old-age  pension.  These 
requirements,  such  as  pensionable  age  and  amounts 
paid, differ from one country to another, but EU rules 
require that each country take into account your con-
tribution history in other countries if this is necessary 
to meet the minimum number of years required to get 
a pension there.

Each national authority will inform you of the deci-
sions  they  have  made  on  your  pension  entitlements. 
Finally, your ‘contact institution’ will send you a sum-
mary of the decisions made on your claim by all the 
countries involved.

retiring abroad

Your pension will be paid regardless of where you 

stay or are resident within Europe.

In general, the rules that apply to old-age pensions 
also apply to invalidity pensions and pensions for sur-
viving spouses or orphans.

this could be you  

check  your  pension  rights  from  all  countries 
where you have worked
On retiring, Regina lives in Germany, so she makes her 
claim  to  the  authorities  there.  However,  although  most 
of her working life was spent in Germany (25 years), she 
also spent 8 years working in Austria.
The German pension authority — now her ‘contact institu-
tion’ — gets in touch with the Austrian pension authority. 
Although a minimum of 10 years are required to qualify 
for  a  pension  in  Austria,  the  Austrian  authorities  must 
take into account the years Regina worked in Germany.
The result is that Austria will pay her a pension propor-
tionate  to  the  8  years  worked  there  and  Germany  will 
pay a separate pension proportionate to the 25 years in 
Germany.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/retire-abroad/index_en.htm

11

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12

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7. Getting healthcare abroad

Under EU law, you can seek medical treatment in another EU country and may be entitled to 
have the costs reimbursed by your national health insurer.

healthcare during short visits

Before travelling — whether on holiday, a business 
trip or for the purpose of studies — you should get a 
free European Health Insurance Card from your statu-
tory health insurer.

With  your  card  you  can  access  state-provided 
healthcare if you unexpectedly fall ill or have an acci-
dent during a stay in an EU country.

If you show your card to a doctor, dentist, hospital 
or pharmacy, you will receive medically necessary treat-
ment under the same conditions as locals.

Even if you don’t have your card with you, you are 
entitled  to  receive  the  healthcare  you  need.  In  many 
cases you will be entitled to reimbursement from your 
home health system.

planned medical treatment

If  you  are  entitled  to  a  particular  treatment  at 
home then you can choose to receive it in another EU 
country, and have some or all of your costs covered by 
your health insurer or system. You may be required to 
ask for authorisation beforehand.

If  you  seek  authorisation  first,  you  may  not  have 
to  pay  upfront  for  the  treatment.  You  should  check 
financial conditions with your health insurer or system 
before leaving as different procedures and reimburse-
ment rates may apply.

Authorisation  cannot  be  refused  if  the  treatment 
you  need  is  covered  by  the  legislation  of  your  home 
country  and  the  medical  circumstances  of  your  case 
mean you might not receive the treatment in time there.
When  receiving  planned  healthcare  abroad  you 
should  be  treated  on  the  same  terms  as  a  person 
covered  by  the  healthcare  system  of  the  country  of 
treatment.

Before  you  decide,  contact  either  your  home 
healthcare  provider  or  the  National  Contact  Point  in 
the  EU  country  where  you  would  like  treatment  who 
can provide full information and advice.

this could be you

Kirsti from Estonia is spending a few months in Lithuania 
to finish her studies.
One evening, she breaks her ankle in the gym.
Kirsti gets all the necessary care she needs in Lithuania 
simply  by  presenting  her  European  Health  Insurance 
Card and identity card.
She is treated in Lithuania as if she were paying con-
tributions  to  the  Lithuanian  system,  and  should  be 
reimbursed there at the applicable rate.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/index_en.htm

8. Studying abroad

As an EU national, you have the right to study in any EU country under the same  
conditions as nationals of that country.

admission to higher education

Admission  rules  vary  significantly  between  coun-
tries  and  universities,  but  regardless  of  other  entry 
conditions, you may not be refused access to training 
or education in another EU country on the grounds of 
your nationality.

Knowledge  of  the  national  language  may  be 
required, so in some countries you could be asked to 
take a language test.

Check with your national authorities if you can get or 
keep a maintenance grant from your country of origin. 
If, as an EU national, you have been living in another 
EU  country  legally  and  continuously  for  5  years  or 
more, you are entitled to a maintenance grant under 
the same conditions as nationals of that country. 

Another  possible  source  of  funding  could  be  the 
grants  and  loans  offered  by  the  EU’s  Erasmus+  pro-
gramme  if  you  are  interested  in  doing  part  of  your 
studies abroad. 

recognition of academic degrees

There is no automatic EU-wide recognition of aca-
demic degrees. If you would like to study in another EU 
country, check beforehand if your current degree will be 
recognised there, and at what level.

For matters related to the recognition of your qua-

lifications for work purposes, see Chapter 3.

fees and financial help

When  you  go  to  university  in  another  EU  country, 
you cannot be required to pay higher course fees than 
nationals of that country. 

You are entitled to the same grants to cover course 
fees  as  nationals  of  that  country  but  this  does  not 
automatically extend to maintenance grants and loans. 

this could be you  

you  are  entitled  to  receive  local  study  grants 
after living in the country for 5 years
Elitsa  is  Bulgarian  and  has  been  living  in  Paris  since 
she was 12. She would like to go to university in France 
but can only afford it if she gets a grant.
As she has been living in the country for over 5 years, 
she is in fact eligible to receive the same maintenance 
grant as French students.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/education/university/index_en.htm

13

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9. Online shopping

You are protected by EU law when shopping online in Europe.

returning unwanted goods and

redress for non-delivery

cancelling services 

In the EU, you have the right to withdraw from an 
online purchase up to 14 working days after receiving 
the  goods  or  concluding  a  service  contract.  You  can 
choose  to  cancel  your  purchase  for  any  reason  within 
this timeframe — even if you simply change your mind.
The  seller  must  give  you  a  refund  within  14  days. 
This refund must include any standard shipping charges 
you paid to receive the goods — but you will normally 
have to pay the  shipping costs to return the goods to 
the seller. 

The cancellation right does not apply to certain cat-
egories of products, such as perishable foodstuffs, hotel 
and car rental reservations for specific dates and online 
digital  content  once  you  have  started  downloading  or 
streaming.

repairs, replacements, refunds

When you buy from an online seller in the EU, you 
have  at  least  2  years  to  request  repairs  or  replace-
ments, free of charge, if the items turn out to be faulty 
or not as advertised. If the product cannot be repaired 
or replaced within a reasonable time or without incon-
venience, you may request a refund or price reduction.

Under EU rules, the goods should be delivered within 
30 days from the conclusion of the contract, unless you 
have  agreed  otherwise  with  the  seller.  If  you  do  not 
receive the goods within this period, you must remind 
the  trader  giving  an  additional,  reasonable  time  limit 
to deliver. If the trader still does not deliver within the 
extended  deadline,  you  are  entitled  to  terminate  the 
contract and to a refund. If delivery of the goods by a 
certain date is essential, you can terminate the contract 
immediately if the trader fails to deliver.

this could be you

be aware that online orders should be delivered 
within 30 days unless agreed otherwise
In mid November Andrej from Slovakia ordered a case 
of wine online from Italy for his family’s Christmas cel-
ebrations. Christmas came and went, without the wine 
being delivered.
As the product was not delivered within 30 days, under 
EU rules this automatically nullified the sale. Andrej is 
entitled to a refund from the trader.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/shopping/buy-sell-online/rights-e-commerce/index_en.htm

10. Buying or selling a car

You can buy or sell a car in any European country and benefit from EU rules  
on VAT exemptions or recovery of VAT.

buying abroad

this could be you  

If you buy a new car (less than 6 000 km on the 
clock or less than 6 months old) from another EU coun-
try, you pay no VAT there, but will have to register the 
car and pay VAT in your home country. 

If you buy a used car (over 6 000 km on the clock 
and over 6 months old) from a private individual in the 
EU you pay no VAT. If purchased from a professional 
dealer in another EU country, you must pay VAT in that 
country, not in your home country.

For both new and used cars bought outside the EU, 

you will have to pay import VAT.

Wherever you buy the car, you will need to pay the 
applicable  car  registration  tax  (if  any)  in  your  home 
country.

recover some of the vat you paid if you sell on 
your new car
Merete buys a new car in Denmark for EUR 20 000 plus 
EUR 5 000 VAT (25 %). Four months later, she sells the 
car  (still  considered  new  for  VAT  purposes)  to  Hagen 
for EUR 16 000.
Hagen  takes  the  car  to  Austria,  where  he  lives,  and 
pays  EUR  3  200  VAT  to  the  Austrian  tax  authorities 
(VAT in Austria is 20 %).
As  the  seller,  Merete  is  entitled  to  recover  from  the 
Danish authorities EUR 4 000 of the EUR 5 000 VAT 
she  had  paid  when  she  bought  the  car.  This  corre-
sponds to the amount that would have been payable in 
Denmark on this second transaction.

selling abroad

For new cars you will not have to pay VAT, if you 
sell as a private person, but if the buyer lives in another 
EU country and takes this car there, they will have to 
pay VAT there.

This also means you can recover (from the authori-
ties in your country) the VAT you initially paid on the 
vehicle. This is to ensure VAT is not paid twice on the 
same vehicle.

For used cars, no VAT is due on the transaction if 
you, as a private person, are selling your car to a buyer 
based in another EU country.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/cars/index_en.htm

15

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16

11. Enjoying your passenger rights

Whether you travel by air, rail, ship, or bus/coach, or if you have special mobility needs, you 
are protected by a full set of passenger rights.

air, rail, ship or bus/coach travel

this could be you

don’t hesitate to make a complaint 
Stefania had planned to fly from Rome to Nicosia for 
work, but her flight was delayed by 6 hours. She missed 
the  conference  she  was  due  to  attend  and  wants 
compensation.
By filling in an EU complaint form (available at the air-
port or on the airline’s website) and submitting it to the 
airline,  she  should  receive  a  full  refund  of  the  ticket 
price.  She  should  also  be  entitled  to  compensation 
unless  the  delay  was  due  to  extraordinary  circum-
stances, which the airline would need to prove.  

As a rule, your rights apply to:
•  flights  departing  from  any  airport  in  the  EU  or  from 
Iceland,  Norway  or  Switzerland  or  arriving  in  the  EU 
with an EU carrier;

•  all international rail travel within the EU;
•  ships arriving or leaving any port in the EU with any 

carrier;

•  regular long distance (more than 250 km) journeys by 

bus or coach starting or finishing in an EU country.

If  your  journey  is  cancelled  or  very  delayed,  your 
flight is overbooked or you are denied boarding, you can 
choose between being rerouted to your final destination 
or having your ticket refunded. You may also be entitled 
to refreshments, meals and an overnight stay, depend-
ing on the distance and/or length of the delay.

Except in the case of bus/coach travel, you may also 
be entitled to financial compensation under certain con-
ditions and depending on the distance and/or length of 
the delay.

If you have a disability or reduced mobility, you have 
the same right to travel as anyone else. In order to make 
sure the assistance you require during your journey is 
available, you should contact the carrier, ticket vendor, 
or tour operator 36 or 48 hours (depending on the mode 
of transport) in advance of travelling.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/index_en.htm

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12. Making cheaper mobile calls

When you use your mobile phone in another EU country, there is a limit on what your 
operator can charge you.

price caps on calls, sms and

this could be you  

you are protected against ‘bill shock’
Aniko,  from  Hungary,  uses  many  applications  on  her 
smartphone, such as music streaming services, social 
networks  for  staying  in  touch  with  friends  and  web 
mapping programmes for finding restaurants.
While  on  holiday  in  Greece,  she  forgets  to  switch  off 
the  automatic  updates  on  her  smartphone.  But  she 
no  longer  needs  to  worry  about  accidentally  running 
up a huge bill: unless she agrees differently with her 
operator, the cost of her data roaming is automatically 
capped at EUR 50 (plus VAT).

data downloads

1 July 2014

Outgoing voice calls (per minute)

19 cents

Incoming voice calls (per minute)

Outgoing SMS (per SMS)

Data (per MB)(*)

5 cents

6 cents

20 cents

(*) The cap is per MB but you will be charged per Kilobyte used.
Prices exclude VAT. 

These  price  caps  are  the  maximum  permissible 
prices.  Operators  are  free  to  offer  cheaper  rates:  be 
on the lookout for better deals! These price caps apply 
to  everybody  unless  you  opted  for  a  special  package 
offered by your operator.

To  protect  you  against  excessive  data  roaming 
bills, the volume of downloaded data on your mobile 
device is capped at a corresponding value of EUR 50 
worldwide, unless you have agreed to a different limit 
with your operator.

notification of prices

Your  operator  must  send  you  an  SMS  when  you 
cross a border within the EU to inform you of the price 
you will be paying for making and receiving calls, data 
or SMS services.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/money-charges/mobile-roaming-costs/index_en.htm

17

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18

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More information?

13. Paying, borrowing and investing

European rules protect you when moving your money around the EU.

payments abroad

deposit guarantee

If  the  payment  is  in  euros,  you  pay  the  same 
charges  for  both  domestic  and  foreign  transactions 
within the EU.

This  rule  applies  to  transfers  between  bank 
accounts in two different countries, withdrawals from 
cash machines in other EU countries and payments by 
debit or credit card across the EU.

Companies  or  administrations  that  accept  trans-
fers in euros within their country must also accept euro 
payments from abroad.

Similarly,  companies  or  administrations  willing  to 
make transfers in euros within their country must be 
prepared  to  make  such  payments  to  euro  accounts 
located in other EU countries (e.g. your salary, pension 
or refunds for returned e-shopping goods).

taKing cash abroad

When you enter or leave the EU with EUR 10 000 or 
more in cash (or its equivalent in other currencies and 
any  other  financial/monetary  instrument  that  can  be 
transferred anonymously from one person to another) 
you must declare it to the customs authorities by using 
the EU cash declaration form. When you travel within 
the EU you might have a similar obligation, as intra-EU 
cash controls are also applied in some EU countries. 

Your bank savings are covered up to EUR 100 000 
(or its equivalent in countries which use a different cur-
rency).  This  protection  applies  per  depositor  and  per 
banking group.

borrowing and investing

As  a  private  individual,  you  can  take  out  a  con-
sumer  loan  in  any  EU  country.  EU-wide  rules  on 
advertising  and  up-front  information  allow  you  to 
easily compare offers. If you change your mind, you 
can withdraw from a loan agreement at any time in 
the 14 days after you sign.

You  can  buy  and  sell  shares  and  other  financial 
products across the EU while enjoying the same level 
of protection as at home. When buying financial ser-
vices over the Internet you have the right to withdraw 
from the contract without penalty during a period of at 
least 14 calendar days.

this could be you

you can receive payments in euros to an account 
located in another eu country
Marijke lives in Belgium and works in the Netherlands. 
She wants her salary transferred directly to her Belgian 
bank  account.  Her  Dutch  employer  cannot  refuse  this 
request. She can also pay the utility bills and local taxes 
for her holiday home in Spain using her Belgian account.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/shopping/banking/index_en.htm

14. Setting up and expanding a business

You are entitled to do business anywhere in the EU.

trade from home

this could be you  

find a business partner and expand your activities
Mark,  a  British  software  developer,  starts  a  company 
to develop digital nature guides, helping nature lovers 
identify  tree  species  through  tablet  and  smartphone 
applications.
Mark needs partners who can provide specialised con-
tent  for  his  applications.  He  turns  to  the  Enterprise 
Europe  Network,  which  puts  him  in  touch  with  a  sci-
ence-focused media consultancy based in France. The 
companies agree to join forces and have since devel-
oped a series of popular applications.

As a company owner you can sell goods and provide 
services all over Europe under the same conditions as a 
local company. You can also establish a branch of your 
company in another EU country.

If  you  are  active  in  the  service  sector,  also  see 

Chapter 17.

starting a new company abroad

You can set up a company in any other EU country. 
The same conditions and rules apply as for nationals of 
that country, such as abiding by professional codes of 
ethics and getting the relevant permits.

getting help to expand abroad

Your  first  stop  should  be  the  Your  Europe  Business 
portal.  Additionally  you  can  get  free  advice  from  the 
Enterprise  Europe  Network  (http://een.ec.europa.eu). 
This service can put you in touch with one of 550 busi-
ness support organisations on the ground in every EU 
country, which can give you practical help and advice 
on starting up in the country you are targeting.

You can also get advice from experienced entrepreneurs.
•  Erasmus  for  Young  Entrepreneurs  will  find  you  a 
placement  with  a  host  entrepreneur  in  another  EU 
country  for  up  to  6  months  (http://www.erasmus-
entrepreneurs.eu).

http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/start-grow/start-ups/index_en.htm

19

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20

15. Financing your business

As an entrepreneur in Europe you have access to sources of finance for your business.

banK loans

this could be you

european  funding  might  be  available  to  your 
company 
Petteri from Finland needs funding to develop his new 
app  for  smartphones.  He  is  able  to  get  part  of  the 
money  in  Finland  but,  through  industry  colleagues, 
he learns about a private equity firm in London that 
offers him further funding in return for a stake in his 
business.
Petteri  also  learns  that  if  he  does  some  product 
development  in  neighbouring  Estonia  as  well  as 
Poland,  he  qualifies  for  EU  funds.  His  application  is 
accepted,  allowing  him  to  grow  his  business  with  a 
solid financial base. 

As an EU business owner, you can take out a bank 
loan  in  any  other  EU  country.  Banks  may  reject  your 
application on commercial grounds, but not on the basis 
of your nationality.

raising capital abroad

You can:
•  sell equity in your existing business across the EU;
•  set up a company in another EU country and buy and 

sell its capital;

•  buy and sell shares in an existing company in another 

EU country.

eu funding

You might need financial support to further develop 
your  business.  The  EU  supports  entrepreneurs  and 
businesses  through  a  wide  range  of  EU  programmes 
providing loans, guarantees and equity financing.

The EU also provides grants aimed at specific policy 
objectives like research or environment, mostly by fund-
ing cooperative projects. A list of EU grant programmes 
can be found at: 

http://europa.eu/about-eu/funding-grants

http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/funding-grants/access-to-finance/index_en.htm

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16. Buying and selling goods

You can buy and sell most goods freely all over the EU, without specific requirements  
or other obstacles.

eu-wide rules for most products

this could be you  

you can market your goods in other eu countries
Conor’s  company  in  Ireland  produces  medical  meas-
urement  devices  and  he  wants  to  expand  to  Malta. 
He is already selling the product legally in Ireland and 
other EU countries.
The  Maltese  authorities  initially  refuse  to  allow  the 
product onto their market and request additional test-
ing.  But  since  this  is  not  in  line  with  EU  rules,  they 
eventually have to accept the product in Malta.

The  vast  majority  of  products  on  the  EU  market 
are subject to common European rules which set high 
standards  of  safety  for  consumers  and  the  environ-
ment.  This  applies  to  machines,  cars,  toys,  medical 
devices, chemicals, radio equipment, textiles, electrical 
equipment and many other manufactured products.

mutual recognition

For products not subject to these rules (e.g. articles 
made  of  precious  metals,  certain  construction  prod-
ucts), each EU country sets its own safety levels. The 
principle of ‘mutual recognition’ applies: if your prod-
uct is authorised for sale in one EU country, you are in 
principle allowed to market it in any other EU country. 

product safety

As a manufacturer, distributor or importer of prod-
ucts, you must meet a number of obligations to ensure 
quality and safety. This includes indicating your trade 
name/mark and address on the product or its packag-
ing, providing instructions and safety information and 
providing compensation for damage caused by defec-
tive products.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/product/technical-standards/index_en.htm

21

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22

17. Providing services abroad

You can supply a service in any EU country.

temporary supply of services

points of single contact

You  can  supply  services  in  other  EU  countries  on 
a  temporary  basis  without  setting  up  a  branch  there. 
Restrictions can only be imposed under very limited cir-
cumstances if justified by public policy, security, health 
or the protection of the environment.

‘Points of single contact’ have been set up in every 
country  to  inform  you  of  the  rules  and  formalities 
involved  and  enable  you  to  complete  administrative 
procedures online (http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/
eu-go).

You  can  also  provide  your  services  online.  If  you 
fulfil  the  requirements  in  your  home  country,  other 
EU  countries  cannot  generally  impose  any  additional 
requirements.

opening a branch

You can set up a branch of your business in another 
EU country if you want to provide services there per-
manently (see Chapter 14).

this could be you

provide services abroad just as you would at home 
Radu’s company provides housekeeping and concierge 
services in Bucharest. After working for a French client, 
Radu decides to offer a similar service in Paris.
At first he works through his Romanian company, but 
as business grows Radu uses the French point of single 
contact to set up a company branch in France.

Need help?  
More information?

http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/sell-abroad/service-providers/index_en.htm

18. Paying company taxes

You are protected from discriminatory tax treatment when you trade across borders.

23

business taxes

EU  countries  are  each  fully  responsible  for  their 
own tax systems, but they can’t impose discriminatory 
tax treatment on companies from other EU countries.

You  usually  have  to  pay  corporation  tax  in  the 
country  where  your  company  is  incorporated.  If  you 
are a sole trader, you have to pay income tax — again, 
usually in the country where you are trading.

There are EU rules in place to avoid double taxation 
of  interest,  royalty  and  dividend  payments  between 
associated  companies  in  different  EU  countries  and 
when restructuring a company with assets  in several 
EU countries.

vat

The EU makes it easier for you to trade across bor-
ders  by  creating  standard  rules  for  VAT,  even  though 
individual countries have a certain amount of flexibility 
in setting VAT rates.

VAT is normally due in the country where you buy 
the product or take the service. This may not coincide 
with the country where you are established: in this case 
you need to register in each EU country where VAT is 
due. But if you provide telecommunication, broadcast-
ing  and  electronic  services,  you  can  use  MOSS  (mini 
one stop shop) from 1 January, 2015 which lets you 
fulfil all your obligations in your country.

If  your  business  incurs  VAT  in  an  EU  country  in 
which you are not established, you are entitled to claim 
back the VAT charged in that country. A fully electronic 
procedure is in place that will ensure quick treatment 
of your claim.

this could be you  

you pay taxes in the country where most of the 
business is done
Max and his brother run a painting and decorating busi-
ness in Luxembourg. But since they also paint houses 
for private customers in Belgium and France, they are 
confused about where they should pay business tax.
As they do most of their business in Luxembourg and 
having  no  establishment  elsewhere,  they  pay  tax  on 
their income in Luxembourg.
However,  they  have  to  register  for  VAT  purposes  and 
pay  VAT  in  all  countries  where  they  provide  services 
because  the  VAT  is  due  where  the  buildings  are  situ-
ated. In each of these countries they can claim back VAT 
paid on their purchases (such as paint, equipment, etc.). 

http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/vat-customs/buy-sell/index_en.htm

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24

19. Protecting your intellectual property

Intellectual property rights (IPR) protect your commercial activities and creations in the EU.

copyright

online breaches of your rights

You  may  encounter  situations  where  your  intel-
lectual  property  is  being  breached,  especially  on  the 
Internet.

Intermediaries  such  as  Internet  service  provi ders 
are  not  liable  if  they  have  no  knowledge  of  illegal 
activity.

In  the  case  of  breaches,  the  EU  rules  help  you 
enforce and safeguard your intellectual property rights.

this could be you

register your trademark to protect it
Agnieszka  from  Poland  has  developed  new  software 
and wants to sell it across the EU. Some of her intel-
lectual property rights are already protected because 
the source code is her creation alone (copyright).
At  the  same  time  she  is  developing  her  brand  and 
wants  to  protect  her  trademark  for  that.  One  simple 
registration with OHIM automatically gives her protec-
tion in every country of the EU.

When you create an original work (literary or artis-
tic,  music,  television  broadcasting,  software,  database, 
advertising,  etc.),  copyright  protection  is  granted  auto-
matically  throughout  the  EU,  with  no  need  for  formal 
registration.

trademarKs and patents

If  you  register  trademarks  and  design  rights  with 
the  Office  for  Harmonisation  in  the  Internal  Market 
(OHIM), they will be protected throughout the EU.

This saves you the effort, time and money involved 

in registering individually in each country.

You  can  apply  for  a  national  patent  with  your 
national patent office or for a European patent at the 
European  Patent  Office.  European  patents  still  need 
to be validated in each country where you want pro-
tection. The new European unified patent system will 
enable you to obtain a Europe-wide patent without the 
need for validating it in each EU country. The new sys-
tem will enter into force once all participating countries 
have ratified the agreement on a new patent litigation 
system.

If you produce agricultural products or foodstuffs, 
these may be eligible for protection under special EU 
quality  schemes  (‘protected  designation  of  origin’  or 
‘protected  geographical  indication’).  To  qualify,  the 
products’  quality  or  main  characteristics  must  be 
derived from their geographical origin.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/start-grow/intellectual-property-rights/index_en.htm

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20. Competing for public contracts

As a general rule, your EU-based company can bid freely for public contracts in  
other European countries.

same treatment as national 

contractors

Public  authorities  have  to  make  sure  that  your 
company  and  other  bidders  from  EU  countries  are 
given equal access to their markets and that all bids 
are treated equally and fairly.

Your bid will be assessed through a standard pro-
cedure that public authorities throughout the EU have 
to  apply.  It  will  be  evaluated  on  an  equal  basis  with 
large competitors.

Depending on the country involved, you will usually 
be  asked  to  provide  various  certificates  and  attesta-
tions. You can find them through the EU’s free online 
information system, eCertis (http://ec.europa.eu/markt/
ecertis/login.do).

finding contracts

You can find information on a range of public ser-
vice and supply contracts worth over EUR 130 000 and 
work contracts worth over EUR 5 million on the Tenders 
Electronic Daily website (http://ted.europa.eu).

This site contains all European tenders that are eli-

gible for bids from any EU country.

You can also make joint bids with other firms (e.g. 
in partnership or consortia), which should enable you 
to  participate  in  higher-value  contracts.  Some  con-
tracts are also broken down into smaller sub-contracts 
(known  as  ‘lots’),  which  may  be  more  attractive  for 
smaller companies.

You  can  get  more  background  details  about  ten-
dering for EU public contracts on SIMAP (http://simap.
europa.eu).

this could be you  

you can bid for public contracts in europe
Miguel  runs  a  business  in  Vigo  building  concrete 
bases  for  power  plants  in  Spain.  Having  heard  that 
he  can  bid  for  public  contracts  in  Germany,  Miguel 
notices  a  tender  to  build  a  new  solar  power  plant  in 
Baden-Württemberg.
To  acquire  the  extra  expertise  and  capacity  he  will 
need for this contract, Miguel’s company forms a con-
sortium  with  two  other  firms,  one  Spanish  and  one 
Portuguese. Their bid turns out to be attractive to the 
Baden-Württemberg  authorities  and  the  consortium 
wins the contract.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/business/public-tenders/rules-procedures/index_en.htm

25

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26

Defending your rights and seeking redress

What happens if you have problems trying to exercise your EU rights? Below are some 
services that can help you find a solution or seek redress.

expert advice

complain to the european

commission

If  you  think  a  Member  State  is  violating  EU  law, 
you  can  complain  to  the  European  Commission.  It  will 
consider your complaint and may ask the country con-
cerned to change its law.

 http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-eu-law/
complaints_en.htm

petition the european parliament

You  can  petition  the  European  Parliament  on  an 
EU-related  matter  that  affects  you  directly.  Although 
it  has  no  power  to  remedy  the  situation  directly,  the 
European Parliament can draw attention to the issue 
and put pressure on those concerned.

 https://www.secure.europarl.europa.eu/
aboutparliament/en/petition.html

If  you  want  to  clarify  your  EU  rights  in  a  specific 
situation, contact Your Europe Advice. A legal expert will 
provide a personalised answer within 1 week and sug-
gest further sources of assistance where relevant.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/advice

mediation with national authorities

If  you  are  having  problems  getting  a  public 
administration  in  another  country  to  recognise  your 
EU  rights,  contact  Solvit.  Staff  from  national  admin-
istrations  will  mediate  to  find  a  solution  within  
10 weeks.

http://solvit.eu

consumer advice and redress

If  you  have  problems  with  a  product  or  a  service 
you  bought  in  another  EU  country,  including  online, 
contact  a  European  consumer  centre.  Local  experts 
will  provide  advice  and  assistance  to  settle  your  dis-
pute with a vendor. If an amicable agreement cannot 
be  reached,  the  centre  will  help  you  with  alternative 
dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, including online 
procedures (ODR), which offer out-of-court means for 
effective and efficient consumer redress.
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/ecc

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