L_2021039EN.01000101.xml

PROTOCOL

to the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America, on the other, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union

THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM,

THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA,

THE CZECH REPUBLIC,

THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK,

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,

THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA,

IRELAND,

THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC,

THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN,

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA,

THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS,

THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA,

THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG,

HUNGARY,

THE REPUBLIC OF MALTA,

THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS,

THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND,

THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC,

ROMANIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA,

THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND,

THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN,

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND,

Contracting Parties to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Member States of the European Union’,

and

THE EUROPEAN UNION,

on the one hand, and

THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA,

THE REPUBLIC OF EL SALVADOR,

THE REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA,

THE REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS,

THE REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA,

THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA,

hereinafter also referred to as ‘Central America’,

on the other,

WHEREAS the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Central America, on the other (1) (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’) , was signed at Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on 29 June 2012 and Part IV (Trade) thereof has been applied pursuant to Article 353(4) of the Agreement between the EU Party and Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama since 1 August 2013, between the EU Party and Costa Rica and El Salvador since 1 October 2013, and between the EU Party and Guatemala since 1 December 2013,

WHEREAS the Treaty concerning the accession of the Republic of Croatia (hereinafter referred to as ‘Croatia’) to the European Union (hereinafter referred to as ‘Treaty of Accession’) was signed at Brussels on 9 December 2011 and entered into force on 1 July 2013,

WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession of Croatia, its accession to the Agreement is to be formalised by the conclusion of a Protocol to the Agreement,

WHEREAS Article 358(2) of the Agreement stipulates that the Parties may agree on any other amendments of the Agreement, and Article 359 of the Agreement envisages the accession of new Member States to the European Union and lays down provisions to address the effects of such accession upon the Agreement,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION I

THE PARTIES

Article 1

Croatia hereby becomes a Party to the Agreement and it shall be added to the list of Parties to the Agreement.

SECTION II

ELIMINATION OF CUSTOMS DUTIES SPECIAL TREATMENT ON BANANAS

Article 2

The Table under paragraph 1 of Appendix 3 (Special Treatment on Bananas) of Annex I (Elimination of Customs Duties) to the Agreement shall be replaced by the Table set out in Annex I to this Protocol.

SECTION III

CONCERNING DEFINITION OF THE CONCEPT OF ‘ORIGINATING PRODUCTS’ AND METHODS OF ADMINISTRATIVE COOPERATION

Article 3

Articles 16(4) and 17(2) of Annex II (Concerning the Definition of the Concept of ‘Originating Products’ and Methods of Administrative Cooperation) to the Agreement shall be amended in accordance with Annex II to this Protocol.

Article 4

Appendix 4 (Invoice Declaration) of Annex II (Concerning the Definition of the Concept of ‘Originating Products’ and Methods of Administrative Cooperation) to the Agreement shall be replaced by Annex III to this Protocol.

Article 5

1. This Protocol may be applied to originating products from either Central America or Croatia which comply with Annex II (Concerning the Definition of the Concept of ‘Originating Products’ and Methods of Administrative Cooperation) to the Agreement and which, on the date of the entry into force of this Protocol, are either in transit or in the Parties in temporary storage in customs warehouses or in free zones.

2. Preferential tariff treatment shall be granted in cases referred to in paragraph 1, subject to the submission to the customs authorities of the importing Party, within four months of the date of the entry into force of this Protocol, of a proof of origin made out retrospectively in the exporting Party.

SECTION IV

ESTABLISHMENT, TRADE IN SERVICES AND ELECTRONIC COMMERCE

Article 6

Section A of Annex X (Lists of Commitments on Establishment) to the Agreement shall be replaced by Annex IV to this Protocol.

Article 7

Section A of Annex XI (Lists of Commitments on Cross-Border Supply of Services) to the Agreement shall be replaced by Annex V to this Protocol.

Article 8

Annex XII (Reservations on Key Personnel and Graduate Trainees of the EU Party) to the Agreement shall be replaced by Annex VI to this Protocol.

Article 9

Annex XV (Enquiry Points) to the Agreement shall be replaced by Annex VII to this Protocol.

SECTION V

GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT

Article 10

1. The entities of Croatia listed in Annex VIII to this Protocol shall be added to the list entitled ‘Indicative Lists of Contracting Authorities which are Central Government Authorities as defined by EU Procurement Directive’ in Schedule G (Schedule of EU Party) of Section A of Appendix 1 (Coverage) to Annex XVI (Government Procurement) to the Agreement.

2. Croatia shall be added to the list entitled ‘List of Supplies and Equipment purchased by Ministries of Defence and Agencies for Defence or Security Activities in Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, The Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom that are covered by the Title’ in Schedule G (Schedule of EU Party) of Section A of Appendix 1 to Annex XVI to the Agreement and the title thereof shall be replaced by the following: ‘List of Supplies and Equipment purchased by Ministries of Defence and Agencies for Defence or Security Activities in Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, The Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom that are covered by the Title’.

3. The entities of Croatia listed in Annex IX to this Protocol shall be added to the list entitled ‘Indicative Lists of Contracting Authorities which are Bodies Governed by Public Law as defined by EU Procurement Directive’ in Schedule G (Schedule of EU Party) of Section B of Appendix 1 to Annex XVI to the Agreement.

4. The entities of Croatia listed in Annex X to this Protocol shall be added to the list entitled ‘Indicative Lists of Contracting Authorities and Public Undertakings fulfilling the Criteria laid down under Section C’ under the relevant sector in Schedule G (Schedule of EU Party) of Section C of Appendix 1 to Annex XVI to the Agreement.

5. The list of media for publication means for procurement information provided for in Appendix 2 (Media for publication of procurement information) of Annex XVI to the Agreement shall be replaced by the list set out in Annex XI to this Protocol.

SECTION VI

WTO

Article 11

The Republics of the CA Party undertake not to make any claim, request or referral nor to modify or withdraw any concession pursuant to GATT 1994 Articles XXIV.6 and XXVIII or GATS Article XXI in relation to the accession of Croatia to the European Union.

SECTION VII

GENERAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 12

1. This Protocol shall be approved by the Parties in accordance with their own internal legal procedures.

2. This Protocol shall enter into force the first day of the month following that in which the Parties have notified each other of the completion of the internal legal procedures referred to in paragraph 1.

3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, provisions of this Protocol may be applied by the European Union and each of the Republics of the CA Party from the first day of the month following the date on which they have notified each other of the completion of the internal legal procedures necessary for this purpose.

4. The notifications referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall be sent, in the case of the EU Party, to the Secretary General of the Council of the European Union and, in the case of the Republics of the CA Party, to the Secretaría General del Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SG-SICA), which shall be the depositories of this Protocol.

5. The Parties for which this Protocol has entered into force may also use materials originating in a Republic of the CA Party for which this Protocol is not in force.

6. Where, in accordance with paragraph 3, a provision of this Protocol is applied by the Parties pending the entry into force of this Protocol, any reference in such provision to the entry into force of this Protocol shall be understood to refer to the date from which the Parties agree to apply that provision in accordance with paragraph 3.

Article 13

1. This Protocol is drawn up in duplicate in the Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish languages, each text being equally authentic.

2. The EU Party shall communicate to the Republics of the CA Party the Croatian language version of the Agreement. Subject to the entry into force of this Protocol, the Croatian language version shall become authentic under the same conditions as those drawn up in the other languages of this Protocol. Article 363 of the Agreement is hereby modified accordingly.

Article 14

This Protocol shall form an integral part of the Agreement. The Annexes to this Protocol shall form an integral part thereof.

Article 15

This Protocol does not allow unilateral reservations or interpretative declarations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, duly authorised, have signed this Protocol.

(1) OJ L 346, 15.12.2012, p. 3.

ANNEX I

(ANNEX I TO THE AGREEMENT)

Appendix 3

SPECIAL TREATMENT ON BANANAS

For the agricultural product originating in Central America under heading 0803.00.19 of the Combined Nomenclature (fresh bananas, excluding plantains) and listed under category ‘ST’ in the Schedule of the EU Party, the following preferential customs duty shall apply:

Year	Preferential customs duty	Trigger import volume, in tonnes
Year	(EUR/t)	Costa Rica	Panama	Honduras	Guatemala	Nicaragua	El Salvador
Until 31 December 2010	145	1 025 000	375 000	50 000	50 000	10 000	2 000
1.1-31.12.2011	138	1 076 250	393 750	52 500	52 500	10 500	2 100
1.1-31.12.2012	131	1 127 500	412 500	55 000	55 000	11 000	2 200
1.1-31.12.2013	124	1 178 750	431 250	57 500	57 500	11 500	2 300
1.1-31.12.2014	117	1 254 419	458 934	61 191	61 191	12 238	2 448
1.1-31.12.2015	110	1 301 599	476 195	63 493	63 493	12 699	2 540
1.1-31.12.2016	103	1 349 942	493 881	65 851	65 851	13 170	2 634
1.1-31.12.2017	96	1 397 316	511 213	68 162	68 162	13 632	2 726
1.1-31.12.2018	89	1 444 767	528 573	70 476	70 476	14 095	2 819
1.1-31.12.2019	82	1 493 881	546 542	72 872	72 872	14 574	2 915
1.1.2020 and after	75	not applicable	not applicable	not applicable	not applicable	not applicable	not applicable

ANNEX II

(ANNEX II TO THE AGREEMENT)

TITLE IV

PROOF OF ORIGIN

(1)

Article 16(4) of Annex II (Concerning the Definition of the Concept of ‘Originating Products’ and Methods of Administrative Cooperation) to the Agreement shall be replaced by the following:

‘4.

Movement certificates EUR. 1 issued retrospectively must be endorsed with the phrase “issued retrospectively” in one of the following languages:

BG “ИЗДАДЕН ВПОСЛЕДСТВИЕ”

ES “EXPEDIDO A POSTERIORI”

CS “VYSTAVENO DODATEČNE”

DA “UDSTEDT EFTERFØLGENDE”

DE “NACHTRÄGLICH AUSGESTELLT”

ET “TAGANTJÄRELE VÄLJA ANTUD”

EL “ΕΚΔΟΘΕΝ ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΥΣΤΕΡΩΝ”

EN “ISSUED RETROSPECTIVELY”

FR “DÉLIVRÉ A POSTERIORI”

HR “NAKNADNO IZDANO”

IT “RILASCIATO A POSTERIORI”

LV “IZSNIEGTS RETROSPEKTĪVI”

LT “RETROSPEKTYVUSIS IŠDAVIMAS”

HU “KIADVA VISSZAMENŐLEGES HATÁLLYAL”

MT “MAHRUG RETROSPETTIVAMENT”

NL “AFGEGEVEN A POSTERIORI”

PL “WYSTAWIONE RETROSPEKTYWNIE”

PT “EMITIDO A POSTERIORI”

RO “EMIS A POSTERIORI”

SK “VYDANÉ DODATOČNE”

SL “IZDANO NAKNADNO”

FI “ANNETTU JÄLKIKÄTEEN”

SV “UTFÄRDAT I EFTERHAND” ’.

(2)

Article 17(2) of Annex II (Concerning the Definition of the Concept of ‘Originating Products’ and Methods of Administrative Cooperation) to the Agreement shall be replaced by the following:

‘2.

The duplicate issued in this way must be endorsed with the phrase “duplicate” in one of the following languages:

BG “ДУБЛИКАТ”

ES “DUPLICADO”

CS “DUPLIKÁT”

DA “DUPLIKAT”

DE “DUPLIKAT”

ET “DUPLIKAAT”

EL “ΑΝΤΙΓΡΑΦΟ”

EN “DUPLICATE”

FR “DUPLICATA”

HR “DUPLIKAT”

IT “DUPLICATO”

LV “DUBLIKĀTS”

LT “DUBLIKATAS”

HU “MÁSODLAT”

MT “DUPLIKAT”

NL “DUPLICAAT”

PL “DUPLIKAT”

PT “SEGUNDA VIA”

RO “DUPLICAT”

SK “DUPLIKÁT”

SL “DVOJNIK”

FI “KAKSOISKAPPALE”

SV “DUPLIKAT” ’.

ANNEX III

(ANNEX II TO THE AGREEMENT)

Appendix 4

INVOICE DECLARATION

Specific requirements as for the making out of an invoice declaration

An invoice declaration, the text of which is set out below, shall be made out using one of the linguistic versions set out there and in accordance with the provisions of the domestic law of the exporting country. If the declaration is handwritten, it shall be written in ink in printed characters. The invoice declaration shall be drawn up in accordance with the respective footnotes. The footnotes do not have to be reproduced.

Bulgarian version

Износителят на продуктите, обхванати от този документ (разрешение № … от митница или от друг компетентен държавен орган (1)) декларира, че освен където ясно е отбелязано друго, тези продукти са с … (2) преференциален произход.

Spanish version

El exportador de los productos incluidos en el presente documento (autorización aduanera o de la autoridad pública competente n° … (1)) declara que, salvo indicación en sentido contrario, estos productos gozan de un origen preferencial … (2).

Czech versión

Vývozce výrobků uvedených v tomto dokumentu (číslo povolení celního nebo příslušného vládního orgánu … (1)) prohlašuje, že kromě zřetelně označených, mají tyto výrobky preferenční původ v … (2).

Danish version

Eksportøren af varer, der er omfattet af nærværende dokument, (toldmyndighedernes eller den kompetente offentlige myndigheds tilladelse nr. … (1)) erklærer, at varerne, medmindre andet tydeligt er angivet, har præferenceoprindelse i … (2).

German version

Der Ausführer (Ermächtigter Ausführer; Bewilligung der Zollbehörde oder der zuständigen Regierungsbehörde Nr. … (1)) der Waren, auf die sich dieses Handelspapier bezieht, erklärt, dass diese Waren, soweit nicht anders angegeben, präferenzbegünstigte Ursprungswaren … (2) sind.

Estonian version

Käesoleva dokumendiga hõlmatud toodete eksportija (tolliameti või pädeva valitsusasutuse luba nr. … (1)) deklareerib, et need tooted on … (2) sooduspäritoluga, välja arvatud juhul kui on selgelt näidatud teisiti.

Greek version

Ο εξαγωγέας των προϊόντων που καλύπτονται από το παρόν έγγραφο (άδεια τελωνείου ή της καθύλην αρμόδιας αρχής, υπ’ αριθ. … (1)) δηλώνει ότι, εκτός εάν δηλώνεται σαφώς άλλως, τα προϊόντα αυτά είναι προτιμησιακής καταγωγής … (2).

English version

The exporter of the products covered by this document (customs or competent public authority authorisation No ... (1)) declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of ... preferential origin (2).

French version

L’exportateur des produits couverts par le présent document (autorisation douanière ou de l’autorité publique compétente n° … (1)) déclare que, sauf indication claire du contraire, ces produits ont l’origine préférentielle … (2).

Croatian version

Izvoznik proizvoda obuhvaćenih ovom ispravom (carinsko ovlaštenje br. … (1)) izjavljuje da su, osim ako je drukčije izričito navedeno, ovi proizvodi … (2) preferencijalnog podrijetla.

Italian version

L’esportatore delle merci contemplate nel presente documento (autorizzazione doganale o dell’autorità pubblica competente n. … (1)) dichiara che, salvo indicazione contraria, le merci sono di origine preferenziale … (2).

Latvian version

To produktu eksportētājs, kuri ietverti šajā dokumentā (muitas vai kompetentu valsts iestāžu atlauja Nr. … (1)), deklarē, ka, izņemot tur, kur ir citādi skaidri noteikts, šiem produktiem ir preferenciāla izcelsme … (2).

Lithuanian version

Šiame dokumente išvardintų prekių eksportuotojas (muitinės arba kompetentingos viešosios valdžios institucijos liudijimo Nr. … (1)) deklaruoja, kad, jeigu kitaip nenurodyta, tai yra … (2) preferencinės kilmės prekės.

Hungarian version

A jelen okmányban szereplő áruk exportőre (vámfelhatalmazási szám: … (1) vagy az illetékes kormányzati szerv által kiadott engedély száma: …) kijelentem, hogy eltérő jelzs hiányában az áruk kedvezményes … származásúak (2).

Maltese version

L-esportatur tal-prodotti koperti b’dan id-dokument (awtorizzazzjoni kompetenti tal-gvern jew tad-dwana nru. … (1)) jiddikjara li, hlief fejn indikat b’mod car li mhux hekk, dawn il-prodotti huma ta’ origini preferenzjali … (2).

Dutch version

De exporteur van de goederen waarop dit document van toepassing is (douanevergunning of vergunning van de competente overheidsinstantie nr. … (1)) verklaart dat, behoudens uitdrukkelijke andersluidende vermelding, deze goederen van preferentiële … oorsprong zijn (2).

Polish version

Eksporter produktów objętych tym dokumentem (upoważnienie władz celnych lub upoważnienie właściwych władz nr … (1)) deklaruje, że z wyjątkiem gdzie jest to wyraźnie określone, produkty te mają … (2) preferencyjne pochodzenie.

Portuguese version

O abaixo assinado, exportador dos produtos cobertos pelo presente documento (autorização aduaneira ou da autoridade governamental competente n° … (1)) declara que, salvo expressamente indicado em contrário, estes produtos são de origem preferencial … (2).

Romanian version

Exportatorul produselor ce fac obiectul acestui document (autorizaţia vamală sau a autorităţii guvernamentale competente nr. … (1)) declară că, exceptând cazul în care în mod expres este indicat altfel, aceste produse sunt de origine preferenţială … (2).

Slovak version

Vývozca výrobkov uvedených v tomto dokumente (číslo povolenia colnej správy alebo príslušného vládneho povolenia … (1)) vyhlasuje, že okrem zreteľne označených, majú tieto výrobky preferenčný pôvod v … (2).

Slovenian version

Izvoznik blaga, zajetega s tem dokumentom, (pooblastilo carinskih ali pristojnih državnih organov št. … (1))izjavlja, da, razen če ni drugače jasno navedeno, ima to blago preferencialno … (2) poreklo.

Finnish version

Tässä asiakirjassa mainittujen tuotteiden viejä (tullin tai toimivaltaisen julkisen viranomaisen lupa nro … (1)) ilmoittaa, että nämä tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin ole selvästi merkitty, etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja … alkuperätuotteita (2).

Swedish version

Exportören av de varor som omfattas av detta dokument (tullmyndighetens tillstånd eller behörig statlig myndighet nr … (1)) försäkrar att dessa varor, om inte annat tydligt markerats, har förmånsberättigande … ursprung (2).

… (3)

(Place and date)

… (4)

(Signature of the exporter; in addition, the name of the person signing the declaration shall to be indicated in clear script)

(1) When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 20 of Annex II, the authorisation number of the approved exporter shall be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

(2) Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates, in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 34 of Annex II, the exporter shall clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol ‘CM’.

(3) These indications may be omitted if the information is contained in the document itself.

(4) See Article 19, paragraph 5, of Annex II of the Agreement. In cases where the exporter is not required to sign, the exemption of signature also implies the exemption of the name of the signatory.

ANNEX IV

(ANNEX X TO THE AGREEMENT)

LISTS OF COMMITMENTS ON ESTABLISHMENT

SECTION A

EU PARTY

The list of commitments below indicate the economic activities liberalised pursuant to Article 166 of this Agreement and, by means of reservations, the market access and national treatment limitations that apply to establishments and investors of the Republics of the CA Party in those activities. The lists are composed of the following elements:

(a)	a first column indicating the sector or subsector in which the commitment is assumed by the Party, and the scope of liberalisation to which the reservations apply;

(b)	a second column describing the applicable reservations.

When the column referred to under paragraph 1(b) only includes Member State-specific reservations, Member States not mentioned therein undertake commitments in the sector concerned without reservations (N.B. the absence of Member State-specific reservations in a given sector is without prejudice to horizontal reservations or to sectoral EU-broad reservations that may apply).

Sectors or subsectors not mentioned in the list below are not committed.

In identifying individual sectors and subsectors:

(a)	‘ISIC rev 3.1’ means the International Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities as set out in Statistical Office of the United Nations, Statistical Papers, Series M, N° 4, ISIC rev 3.1, 2002;

(b)	‘CPC’ means the Central Products Classification as set out in Statistical Office of the United Nations, Statistical Papers, Series M, N° 77, CPC prov., 1991;

(c)	‘CPC ver. 1.0’ means the Central Products Classification as set out in Statistical Office of the United Nations, Statistical Papers, Series M, N° 77, CPC ver. 1.0, 1998.

The list below does not include measures relating to qualification requirements and procedures, technical standards and licensing requirements and procedures when they do not constitute a market access or a national treatment limitation within the meaning of Articles 164 and 165 of this Agreement. Those measures (for example need to obtain a license, universal service obligations, need to obtain recognition of qualifications in regulated sectors, need to pass specific examinations, including language examinations, non-discriminatory requirement that certain activities may not be carried out in environmental protected zones or areas of particular historic and artistic interest), even if not listed, apply in any case to investors of the other Party.

In accordance with Article 159, paragraph 3, of this Agreement, the list below does not include measures concerning subsidies granted by the Parties.

In accordance with Article 164 of this Agreement non-discriminatory requirements as regards the types of legal form of an establishment are not included in the list below.

The rights and obligations arising from this list of commitments shall have no self-executing effect and thus confer no rights directly to individual natural persons or juridical persons.

The following abbreviations are used in the list below:

AT	Austria
BE	Belgium
BG	Bulgaria
CY	Cyprus
CZ	Czech Republic
DE	Germany
DK	Denmark
EU	EU Party
ES	Spain
EE	Estonia
FI	Finland
FR	France
EL	Greece
HR	Croatia
HU	Hungary
IE	Ireland
IT	Italy
LV	Latvia
LT	Lithuania
LU	Luxembourg
MT	Malta
NL	The Netherlands
PL	Poland
PT	Portugal
RO	Romania
SK	Slovak Republic
SI	Slovenia
SE	Sweden
UK	United Kingdom

Sector or subsector

Description of reservations

ALL SECTORS

Real estate

AT, BG, CY, CZ, DK, EE, ES, EL, FI, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LV, MT, PL, RO, SI, SK: Limitations on acquisition of land and real estate by foreign investors. (168)

ALL SECTORS

Public utilities

EU: Economic activities considered as public utilities at a national or local level may be subject to public monopolies or to exclusive rights granted to private operators. (169)

ALL SECTORS

Types of establishment

EU: Treatment accorded to subsidiaries (of third-country companies) formed in accordance with the law of a Member State and having their registered office, central administration or principal place of business within the EU is not extended to branches or agencies established in a Member State by a third-country company.

BG: Establishment of branches is subject to authorisation.

EE: At least one half of the members of the management board shall have their residence in the EU.

FI: A foreigner carrying on trade as a partner in a Finnish limited or general partnership needs a trade permit and has to be permanently resident in the EU. For all sectors except telecommunications services, nationality condition and residency requirement for at least half of the ordinary and deputy members of the Board of Directors. Company exemptions may, however, be granted. If a foreign organisation intends to carry on a business or trade by establishing a branch in Finland, a trade permit is required. A permission to act as a founder of a limited company is required of a foreign organisation or a private person, who is not an EU citizen. For telecommunications services, permanent residency for half of the founders and half of the members of the board of directors. If the founder is a juridical person, residence requirement for that juridical person.

IT: Access to industrial, commercial and artisanal activities is subject to a residence permit and specific authorisation to pursue the activity.

BG, PL: The scope of operations of a representative office may only encompass advertising and promotion of the foreign mother company represented by the office.

PL: With the exception of financial services, unbound for branches. Non-EU investors can undertake and conduct economic activity only in the form of a limited partnership, limited joint-stock partnership, limited liability company, and joint-stock company (in the case of legal services only in the form of registered partnership and limited partnership).

RO: The sole administrator or the chairman of the Board of Administration as well as half of the total number of administrators of the commercial companies shall be Romanian citizens unless otherwise stipulated in the company contract or its statutes. The majority of the commercial companies’ auditors and their deputies shall be Romanian citizens.

SE: A foreign company (which has not established a legal entity in Sweden) shall conduct its commercial operations through a branch, established in Sweden with independent management and separate accounts. Building projects with duration of less than a year are exempted from the requirements of establishing a branch or appointing a resident representative. A limited liability company (joint stock company) may be established by one or several founders. A founding party shall either reside in Sweden or be a Swedish legal entity. A partnership can only be a founding party if each partner resides in Sweden. Corresponding conditions prevail for establishment of all other types of legal entities. At least fifty percent of the members of the board shall reside in Sweden. Foreign or Swedish citizens not residing in Sweden who wish to conduct commercial operations in Sweden, shall appoint and register with the local authority a resident representative responsible for such activities. Residency conditions might be waived if it can be proved that they are not necessary in a given case.

SI: The establishment of branches by foreign companies is conditioned with the registration of the parent company in a court register in the country of origin for at least one year.

SK: A foreign natural person whose name is to be registered in the Commercial Register as a person authorised to act on behalf of the entrepreneur is required to submit residence permit for the Slovak Republic.

ALL SECTORS

Investment

ES: Investment in Spain by foreign government and foreign public entities (which tends to imply, besides economic, also non-economic interests to entity’s part), directly or through companies or other entities controlled directly or indirectly by foreign governments, need prior authorisation by the government.

BG: In enterprises where the public (State or municipal) share in the equity capital exceeds thirty percent, the transfer of these shares to third parties needs authorisation. Certain economic activities related to the exploitation or use of State or public property are subject to concessions granted under the provisions of the Concessions Act. Foreign investors cannot participate in privatisation. Foreign investors and Bulgarian juridical persons with controlling foreign participation require permission for: (a) prospecting, development or extraction of natural resources from the territorial seam continental shelf or the exclusive economic zone; and (b) acquisition of a controlling participation in companies engaged in any of the activities specified under point (a).

FR: Foreign purchases exceeding 33,33 percent of the shares of capital or voting rights in existing French enterprise, or twenty percent in publicly quoted French companies, are subject to the following regulations:

—	investments of less than EUR 7,6 million in French enterprises with a turnover not exceeding EUR 76 million are free, after a delay of fif