EU Internal Market

1. Free Movement of Goods

1.1. Elimination of internal barriers (customs, administrative, technical)

1.2. Two stages of development:

1.2.1. 1968: Removal of customs duties within the EU, Common External Tariff

1.2.2. 1986-1993: Harmonization of technical rules

1.3. Key principles: No customs duties or equivalent measures between member states Common customs tariff for third countries Free movement of third-country goods under conditions

2. Free Movement of Services

2.1. Covered activities: Industry, commerce, crafts, liberal professions

2.2. Freedom of establishment: Operators can set up branches in other member states

2.3. Mutual recognition of qualifications

2.4. Directive on Services (2006): Eases service provision across borders

3. Free Movement of People

3.1. Not just workers: Includes individuals with broader needs

3.2. Rights for workers: Move, work, and stay after employment in another state

3.3. Freedom of establishment: Establish branches and agencies

3.4. Schengen Area: No border controls between participating countries

4. Free Movement of Capital

4.1. Introduced in 1990

4.2. Covers foreign direct investment (FDI), real estate investments, securities loans

4.3. No restrictions on capital movements between member states or with third countries, barring certain exceptions (e.g., tax evasion, prudential controls)

5. Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol

5.1. Avoids a physical border on the island of Ireland post-Brexit

5.2. Windsor Framework: Solves issues with trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland

5.3. Stormont brake: NI Assembly can pause laws with major impacts

6. Schengen Area

6.1. Free movement for over 400 million people across 29 countries

6.2. Security cooperation: Joint policing, data sharing for counter-terrorism, organized crime

6.3. Temporary reintroduction of internal border checks during crises (e.g., COVID-19)