EEA

European Economic Area (EEA) was established via the agreement on the European Economic Area, an International Agreement which makes the extension of the European Union’s single market to member states of the European Free Trade Association.

The right to free movement of persons between EEA member states and the relevant provisions on safeguard measures are identical to those applying between members of the EU. Rights and rules are applicable in all EEA member states including those which are not members of the EU, are specified in Directive 2004/38/EC and in the EEA Agreement.

The EEA consists of the following EU member states (27 countries):

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden

Non-EU EEA Member States (3 countries):

• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway

The EEA is managed through cooperation between the EFTA (European Free Trade Association) and the EU (European Union).  The headquarters related to the EEA’s functions within the EFTA (European Free Trade Association) are based in Geneva, Switzerland. However, some EEA related activities are also coordinated from the EFTA Secretariats offices in Brussels, Belgium.  Visit the official website to know more about the EEA: efta.int