The Single Market is one of the most important achievements of European integration and one of its main drivers. Established on 1 January 1993, the European Single Market enables goods, services, people and capital to move freely within the EU, simplifying people’s lives and opening up new opportunities for businesses.

Discover the benefits of the Single Market, the achievements, success stories and services offered by the Department for European Policies to citizens and enterprises.

Prize quiz: What are the benefits of the EU's single market? Answer the questions to win one of 10 prizes of two rail passes to explore the single market and Europe's rich cultural heritage for a month. Take the quiz!

But do you really know what European Single Market means? Test yourself with the European Parliament quiz!

Click here (2017 video - IT) to discover four stories of European citizens who tell in a few seconds how the opportunities and rules of the European Single Market impacted on their professional and entrepreneurial experiences, their study paths and everyday life. 

On 16 March 2023, adoption of "The Single Market at 30"