Press Release: Free movement of services: infringement proceedings against Germany

The European Commission has taken action to put an end to obstacles to the free movement of services in Germany. The Commission has decided to send an additional formal request to Germany on its application of a bilateral agreement with Poland in relation to the construction sector. This formal request takes the form of a "reasoned opinion", the second stage of the infringement procedure laid down in Article 226 of the EC Treaty. If there is no satisfactory reply within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.

The Commission has also decided, under Article 228 of the EC Treaty, to send Germany a further reasoned opinion requesting it to comply immediately with a 2006 Court judgement concerning the posting of third-country nationals by EU companies.