Economy

Benelux wants to improve the functioning of the European Single Market for businesses

29 Jul. 2026

Companies seeking to do business in other EU countries still too often encounter administrative obstacles, complex VAT rules, or lengthy procedures. In a letter to the European Commission, the Benelux countries call for these bottlenecks to be mapped more effectively so that they can be addressed more quickly and the European Single Market can function more efficiently.

To this end, experts from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are working on proposals for new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that provide a clearer picture of where businesses continue to face difficulties today. These indicators are intended to contribute to the European Commission’s annual report on the Single Market and competitiveness.

Better insights into bottlenecks
According to the Benelux countries, future indicators should not only measure economic performance but also capture the day-to-day challenges and obstacles faced by entrepreneurs. These include complex VAT rules, administrative burdens, access to finance and lengthy procedures. The Benelux also believes that more targeted monitoring is needed for the posting of workers and for specific sectors such as construction, engineering services, transport and logistics.

In addition, the Benelux advocates making better use of data from national statistical offices to obtain a more accurate picture of how the Single Market is functioning, while fully respecting privacy and data protection requirements. According to the Benelux, the integration of the European energy market and the enforcement of Single Market rules could also be monitored more effectively.

Entrepreneurs at the centre
One proposal put forward by the Benelux countries is to devote greater attention in the annual European report to the experiences of entrepreneurs. Through a so-called user journey, it would be possible to identify the actual obstacles businesses encounter when operating across borders.

The Benelux will further develop these proposals during the Dutch Benelux Presidency and aims to discuss the next steps with the European Commission before the end of 2026.

Liesje Schreinemacher, Deputy Secretary-General of the Benelux Union: “A strong Single Market starts with a clear understanding of the obstacles businesses face. With better indicators, we can identify challenges more quickly and address them more effectively, making it easier for entrepreneurs to do business across borders.”