The single market is Europe’s home market – a shared space of 450 million people and 26 million businesses. It drives prosperity, protects citizens and workers, and anchors our economy in an increasingly uncertain world.
With a GDP of €18 trillion, it is the world’s second-largest economy and provides the scale, strength and legal certainty businesses need to grow.
The new single market strategy is the European Commission’s plan to make the single market simpler, seamless and strong – unlocking its full potential for citizens, workers and businesses. It focuses on removing the most harmful barriers, reducing red tape, promoting investment and ensuring fair competition.
The single market has already raised EU GDP by 3–4% and created 3.6 million jobs. Completing it could double these gains.
Strategy focus areas
The problem
Businesses face outdated product rules, slow standard-setting, and inconsistent national regulations. This makes it harder to sell, scale or move goods and services across borders.
What the Commission will do
- focus on the 10 most harmful barriers as a priority.
- progressively introduce a digital product passport to simplify labelling and compliance
- speed up standard-setting, including by issuing common specifications from the Commission when needed
- tackle price discrimination from unjustified territorial supply constraints in retail
- make it easier for professionals to have their qualifications recognised
- make it easier to temporarily post workers and set up a company in another country
The problem
Barriers to cross-border services haven’t changed in decades. As part of a new sectoral approach, the Commission proposes to address challenges in specific services sectors, which will complement the EU’s horizontal services rules.
What the Commission will do
- launch a delivery act for construction services and revising parcel delivery rules
- support businesses that offer services like installation and repairs in other countries
- provide guidance and support for business services (legal, accounting, tax)
- help ensure fair retail rules across the EU
The problem
Regulation is too complex. Scaling up across borders is difficult. SMEs often don’t get the support or recognition they need.
What the Commission will do
- launch an SME ID – an online self-assessment tool in all EU languages
- introduce a new category for small and mid-cap companies (SMCs) to widen support
- apply an SME check to new EU policies to reduce burdens
- help SMEs show sustainability efforts and access green finance
The problem
Many procedures are still offline or hard to access. Digital rules vary, data formats don’t match, and systems don’t talk to each other.
What the Commission will do
- initiate a paradigm shift to make digital the default
- improve the single digital gateway – a one-stop shop for businesses and citizens
- expand the use of the digital product passport
- digitalise public procurement and improving coordination between authorities
The problem
EU rules don’t always deliver on the ground. Inconsistent implementation and lack of political ownership by national and regional authorities as well as weak enforcement lead to new or persisting barriers. This creates uncertainty and undermines the level playing field for businesses.
What the Commission will do
- promote smarter, more consistent implementation and enforcement of EU rules
- ask every EU country to appoint a single market representative ('Sherpa') to coordinate national efforts
- strengthen the enforcement task force (SMET) and launching an annual strategy to focus EU-level action
- if new fragmentation risks emerge, propose a barriers prevention act
- strategic enforcement through future annual progress reports on enforcement and implementation
The problem
There is currently little connection between EU investment funding and national reforms that support single market goals. This leaves untapped potential to remove barriers and support EU value chains.
What the Commission will do
- promote stronger links between EU funding and single market reforms
The problem
Global trade is increasingly volatile. Businesses and consumers need a stable, rules-based environment that defends their interests and ensures trust.
What the Commission will do
- ensure a high level of consumer protection to build trust and legal certainty
- use trade defence tools to address unfair practices and safeguard fair competition