The Single Market Tour started in September 2023. It celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Single Market and aimed to engage citizens across the European Union. The Tour, which concluded at the end of June 2024, visited 44 cities across 24 EU countries.
It attracted around 28,000 visitors, who took the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of the Single Market. The tour also actively sought citizen feedback through an online questionnaire, which visitors were encouraged to fill out. Their responses helped identify the Single Market benefits that are particularly important to citizens in different countries and to assess the overall usefulness of the Single Market Tour itself for citizens.
The full itinerary and photo gallery of the Single Market Tour are available below.
What was the Single Market Tour?
From September 2023, the Single Market Tour embarked on an exciting journey across Europe, bringing an immersive travelling exhibition to life. This unique initiative showcased the many benefits and opportunities the European single market offers.
The tour featured a dynamic line-up of activities, blending learning with fun. From interactive exhibits and stimulating games to thought-provoking interviews, it had something to captivate every attendee.
Visitors could test their knowledge with quizzes and had the chance to win exclusive merchandise. The Single Market Tour offered a memorable way to explore the single market in an interactive, enjoyable, and rewarding way.
Key achievements of the single market
- Erasmus - one of Europe’s biggest successes, Erasmus started as a student exchange programme and is now supporting close to 640 000 people in their studies, traineeships or voluntary work abroad (in 2020). In addition, more than 11 000 young entrepreneurs have benefitted from work experience and mentoring in companies in other EU countries through the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme.
- Professional qualifications - Single Market rules ensure that professional qualifications from one country are recognised by another. Lawyers, engineers or people qualified in other professions regulated by EU countries can rest assured that they will enjoy equal opportunities in other EU countries.
- Safety of personal data - the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guarantees tech users certain rights, including control and access to their data, and even the right to request to delete their data. Organisations are now obliged to use security tools like encryption whenever possible to minimise the damage to users in the event of a data breach.
- Vaccines - vaccines have played a key role in bringing the COVID-19 pandemic under control. Once granted medical approvals, Europe stepped up the production of vaccines for Europeans and the rest of the world.
- Energy provision - EU rules on energy providers empower consumers, making it easier for them to compare deals and switch electricity suppliers.
- Safety and quality of consumer products - EU rules and standards ensure that consumer products like clothes, toys, cosmetics or food contact materials are safe to use. For instance, chemicals rules ensure that these products do not contain harmful chemicals. Standards ensure that items like children’s clothes do not contain dangerous cords or drawstrings.
- Energy efficiency of products - thanks to EU energy labels, consumers can see how much energy and water an appliance will use. Ecodesign rules also ensure that household products like fridges or washing machines are becoming more energy efficient, helping to save energy and money.
- Right to repair - EU law guarantees that consumers have the right to repair or replace defective products without cost, during a period of 2 years.
- Roaming - when travelling to another EU country, consumers don't have to pay any additional charges to use their mobile phones.
- Common charger - new rules will ensure that people will be able to charge their mobile phones and other electronic devices using only one type of charger. This will be more convenient for consumers and help to reduce e-waste.
- Making business easier for SMEs - a network of national portals, available through Your Europe, provides information for businesses and the general public on how EU rules are applied in each EU country for cross-border users, as well as on available assistance services. The system should soon allow for the completion of many administrative procedures fully online, in all EU countries.
- Timely payments - EU rules ensure that public authorities remunerate businesses for the products and services they provide in a timely manner. To further discourage a culture of late payments, current rules will be strengthened, especially to protect SMEs and the most vulnerable businesses.
- Public procurement - EU rules ensure that tenders by public authorities are open and transparent. Public authorities are also encouraged to procure innovative, cleaner and more digital products and services, for instance by opting for cleaner vehicles in public transport.
- Unitary patent - companies can protect their intellectual property by registering for a single, unitary European patent. This system also makes it easier to enforce companies’ rights in court, and overall make it simpler and cheaper for companies to protect their innovations.
- Critical inputs and technologies - businesses need essential inputs like critical raw materials or key technologies like semiconductors to help advance our economy’s greening and digitalisation. Thanks to the Single Market, Europe is working on reducing our dependencies on non-EU countries, including through the Critical Raw Materials Act, by diversifying supplies, increasing production in Europe and supporting recycling.
One single market, many different benefits
The Single Market upholds strict safety standards. These ensure that consumer products meet stringent quality and safety requirements, giving you peace of mind when you make purchases.
The ease of purchasing goods and services online from any EU country empowers you with a broader range of choices and the convenience of cross-border shopping.
The push for a common charger for electronic devices reduces electronic waste, making them more compatible and environmentally friendly.
Consistent data protection regulations across the EU safeguard your personal information, bolstering trust in digital transactions.
Travelers within the Single Market benefit from standardised passenger rights, ensuring fair treatment and compensation in cases of disruptions or inconveniences.
A unified approach to environmental regulations supports sustainable practices, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment across EU countries.
Since goods and services move freely within the Single Market, businesses benefit from reduced delays and costs.
Students have the opportunity to pursue higher education in various EU countries, fostering cultural exchange and expanding their horizons.
The Single Market enables professionals to seek employment in different member states, promoting skill mobility and career growth.
Citizens can retire in any EU country while enjoying their pension and social security benefits, enhancing their quality of life and cultural experiences.
The mutual recognition of qualifications allows professionals to work and share their expertise across borders.
Travelers can stay connected without incurring extra costs for mobile roaming, promoting seamless communication throughout the EU.
The ability to access digital content while traveling ensures a consistent experience for services like streaming and e-books.
Temporary stays in other EU countries are made safer with access to necessary medical treatment through the European Health Insurance Card.
2024 Itinerary – part 1
- Tuesday 12/03Teramo, Italy
- Saturday 16 – Sunday 17/03Rijeka, Croatia
- Friday 22 – Saturday 23/03Salzbourg, Austria
10:00 – 19:00 (Friday)
10:00 – 18:00 (Saturday)
Location: Europark Shopping Center, Europastraße 1