The EC Services Directive (Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on services in the internal market) serves to realize the European internal market in the area of services. It must be transposed into national law by the end of 2009.

The aim is to simplify procedures and formalities throughout Europe and to make it easier to take up and provide services. This applies to those who only want to provide services in other member states on a temporary basis.

Important simplifications for established service providers include, in particular, the creation of a single point of contact and the possibility of complete electronic processing.