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Problems Trading in Europe - SOLVIT

SOLVIT is an initiative of the European Commission with the participation of all EU Member States to iron out problems in the functioning of the EU's Single Market.  SOLVIT Centres in each EU country work together to try to resolve problems arising from the misapplication of EU rules as encountered by those wanting to exercise their Single Market rights.  It is an informal dispute resolution mechanism and, as such, proposed solutions are not binding on the complainant.  If the complainant remains dissatisfied with the outcome they are able to take the matter further using formal, legal procedures.

There are certain instances where SOLVIT is unable to help.  These include:

  • where legal proceedings are already underway;
  • where deadlines under national law need to be respected to maintain rights; and
  • where the problem is a business-to-business or business to consumer one.

Examples of some of the problems SOLVIT can deal with include:

  • Market access of goods
  • Public Procurement
  • VAT issues
  • Border Control
  • Establishment of a Company
  • Recognition of Professional Qualifications
  • Car registration
  • Voting rights

Do not worry if you are unsure whether your firm's problem can be dealt with through SOLVIT.  We will be happy to advise and may well be able to help you even if SOLVIT is not the right way forward for your particular case. 

SOLVIT - How to Submit a Complaint

If you would like to submit a complaint to the UK SOLVIT Centre,  please use the following form:

SOLVIT complaint form Word document (91KB)

 

it will help us if you provide:

  • A brief summary of the issue
  • Any correspondence on the matter
  • Any relevant documentation
  • Any other supporting evidence

To comply with the Data Protection Act, please also complete the following consent form:

SOLVIT consent form Word document (216KB)

 

 

All material provided will be treated in confidence. You can send in your complaint by email, fax or post – details of which are at the end of this page, together with our contact numbers.

Alternatively, you can submit your complaint on the European Commission Website SOLVIT page (see related links on right of this page)

Do not worry if you are unsure whether your firms problem can be dealt with through SOLVIT. We will be happy to advise and may well be able help you even if SOLVIT is not the right way forward for your particular case. 

How We Pursue Your Complaint

Upon receipt of a complaint, if we have all the information we require, we will approach the SOLVIT Centre in the  Member State concerned or the British Embassy in the relevant Member State. We will then keep you informed of progress made.  If SOLVIT and our attempts are unsuccessful, you may consider taking the matter up with the European Commission.

Around 80% of SOLVIT cases are resolved without having to make a formal complaint to the European Commission. This is in part because the SOLVIT Centre team can call on a wide network of expertise in resolving your case, including:

  • Technical experts
  • Government legal services
  • Specialists throughout Whitehall
  • British Embassies throughout Europe

How to contact us:

UK SOLVIT Centre
Bay 4137
1 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0ET
Tel:  020 7215 2800/2833
Fax: 020 7215 2234
E-mail: solvit@bis.gsi.gov.uk

For information on the EFTA members of the Single Market (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) see http://www.efta.int or contact:

EFTA Secretariat, Brussels
Rue Joseph II, 12-16
B-1000 Brussels
Belgium

Telephone reception: (+ 32 2) 286 1711
Fax: (+ 32 2) 286 1750
Email: mail.bxl@efta.int

 

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