The European Commission has opened infringement procedures against Malta for lack of compliance with the Services Directive in the area of professional services.

Procedures were also opened against Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Poland and Spain on the grounds that national rules include excessive and unjustified obstacles in the area of professional services.

The commission urged member states to adapt their rules on shareholding requirements for architects and engineers in Austria, Cyprus and Malta.

Elżbieta Biekowska, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, said there were still barriers in a number of member states preventing companies and individuals from providing their services freely across the EU.

Excessive shareholding requirements – such as the requirement that the professionals should hold 100 per cent of voting rights and capital in a company – can make a second establishment or cross-border provision of services in these member states difficult.

The infringement procedures are opened with a letter of formal notice which constitutes an official request for information. The member states now have two months to respond to the Commission.