How SOLVIT Helps Businesses Navigate the European Single Market
The Internal Market: Opportunities and Barriers
The European Union’s Single Market offers businesses across Member States great opportunities for growth, trade, and collaboration. However, navigating different national rules and administrative procedures can pose significant challenges, especially when problems arise in cross-border operations. The EU’s SOLVIT Network steps in as a practical solution, helping businesses resolve disputes with public authorities swiftly and without unnecessary bureaucracy.
What Is the SOLVIT Network?
SOLVIT is a free and informal problem-solving service provided by the national administrations of each EU member state, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Established in 2002, the network’s primary purpose is to address cases where EU law on the Single Market is not applied correctly by public authorities—helping both citizens and businesses overcome obstacles to cross-border trade, establishment, or operation.
How Does SOLVIT Work?
Each Member State hosts a SOLVIT centre, within its Public Adminsitration.. This setup allows centres to dialogue and negotiate with entities who allegedly are infringing EU Law. With regards to Malta, the SOLVIT centre is within the Commerce Department.
When a business encounters a problem with a public authority in another Member State, SOLVIT can intervene.
A case can be submitted online via the SOLVIT website. The business submitting the case can also opt to obtain an informal Legal Advice from SOLVIT’s sister service Your Europe Advice, which then forwards the case to SOLVIT if a potential infringement is found. The case is then handled directly by the SOLVIT centres of the home and host countries, aiming for practical solutions within ten weeks.
Types of Issues SOLVIT Handles
• Delays or refusals in recognising professional qualifications
• Unjustified barriers to selling goods or providing services across borders
• Issues with VAT reimbursement or market access
• Problems with residence or work permits for employees
• Disputes regarding the posting of workers or company establishment
Why should Businesses Use SOLVIT?
For Chamber of Commerce members, SOLVIT offers a valuable, cost-free alternative to lengthy legal proceedings. The network’s informal approach means that many cases are resolved quickly, with communication tailored to the needs of business users.SOLVIT does not replace courts but provides an efficient means to resolve disputes before litigation becomes necessary this mainly due to the strong networking connection between the SOLVIT centres established in all the Member States.
How to Access SOLVIT
Businesses can submit their case through the official SOLVIT website https://ec.europe.eu/solvit. The process is simple: provide details of the issue and supporting documents, and the home country SOLVIT centre will make contact to discuss next steps. The service is available in all EU languages, and strict confidentiality is maintained throughout the process.
Conclusion
The EU’s SOLVIT Network is an essential support mechanism for businesses operating across European borders. By resolving disputes with public authorities efficiently and informally, SOLVIT helps maintain the integrity of the Single Market and ensures that businesses can make the most of the opportunities it provides. For Chamber of Commerce members looking to expand or operate internationally, SOLVIT is a resource worth knowing and using.
For more information, or to submit a case, visit the official SOLVIT portal at https://ec.europe.eu/solvit. The local contact point may be also be contacted on 25690329 or by email solvit.malta@gov.mt.
