Yhdenäismarkkinat

Yhdenäismarkkinat, also known as the single market, refers to the European Union's policy to create a borderless marketplace where goods, services, capital, and people can move freely among member states. This concept is a cornerstone of European integration, aiming to foster economic growth, competition, and consumer choice. The establishment of the single market was a gradual process, culminating in its formal creation in 1993.

The core objective of the single market is the removal of barriers that hinder the free movement of the four fundamental freedoms. These freedoms are the free movement of goods, which means that goods legally produced and marketed in one member state can be sold in any other member state without tariffs or quantitative restrictions; the free movement of services, allowing businesses and individuals to offer and receive services across borders; the free movement of capital, enabling investments and financial transactions to flow freely; and the free movement of people, granting citizens of member states the right to live, work, study, and retire in any other member state.

Achieving these freedoms required the harmonization of national laws and regulations in various sectors, from product standards and professional qualifications to competition rules and consumer protection. While significant progress has been made, challenges remain in fully realizing the potential of the single market, particularly in areas like digital services and cross-border healthcare. The ongoing development of the single market continues to be a priority for the EU, with efforts focused on deepening integration and adapting to new economic realities.