Services Act

The Services Act (Dienstenwet) makes it easier for service providers like you to do business in all EU Member States. The Services Act implements the EU Services Directive, which took effect on 28 December 2009, and incorporates the main rules from the EU Services Directive into Dutch law.

Accessible European market

The EU Services Directive is designed to lower the threshold to access the EU internal services market. This means that EU Member States are no longer allowed to impose certain requirements. They must also simplify licence application procedures. This is the role of the Service Counter (Dienstenloket), for example.

Service Counter

Pursuant to the Services Directive, all EU Member States have created an online service counter for the owners of service companies. The website of the European Commission includes an overview of all Points of Single contact in the EU.

In the Netherlands, the Answers for Business website (AnswersForBusiness.nl/AntwoordvoorBedrijven.nl) was created to serve as the Dutch Service Counter. Information on all procedures subject to the Services Act is presented here. Requests/applications (e.g. applications for licences) can also be handled electronically via the Message Box.

Target audience

The Services Act applies to nearly all service companies in the EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It does not apply to a number of sectors, however, namely financial services, electronic communication services, transport, temporary work agencies, audio-visual services, gambling, private security services, civil-law notaries, health care, social services (social housing), public interest services, activities involving taxes, labour law and transnational secondment of workers.