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Services - United Kingdom

Updated 03/2011

Legal requirements

From 28 December 2009, the Services Directive removed many barriers to service sector businesses established in a Member State, making it easier to provide services throughout the EU.

The Provision of Services Regulations 2009 is the main Statutory Instrument which implemented the EU Services Directive into UK law.

Administrative procedures

The Services Directive required EU Member States to simplify procedures and formalities that service providers needed to comply with to facilitate setting up a business and the cross-border provision of services.

They were obliged to set up online portals, called Points of Single Contact (PSC) so businesses could research information, and apply and pay for any authorisations, electronically and remotely.

Foreign businesses can find information on the provision of services in the UK and apply for licences at Business Link:

Resources

Business Link provides tailored advice and information for businesses in the UK; it includes an international trade in services section.

Invest Northern Ireland operates a Business Link service, NI Business Info, which also offers an international trade in services section.

In Scotland, business support, information and advice is provided by Scottish Enterprise's Business Gateway.

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

  • References

    Legal texts

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Further help

SOLVIT helps businesses deal with problems that arise when national authorities wrongly apply EU market rules.

If you wish to establish a business or perform temporary cross-border services in the EU/EEA area (the 27 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), turn to the ‘Points of Single Contact (PSC)’ – Members of the EUGO network – that will help you to complete all necessary administrative procedures on-line! Get the information you need and submit your applications to the responsible authorities online. You no longer have to worry about contacting several different authorities one by one – the PSC will do it for you!