What is the single market?
The single market is the EU's system that lets goods, services, money and people move freely between member countries. It works almost as if they were one country. These are called the four freedoms. Members share common product rules and standards. The UK left the single market at the end of 2020.
The single market was completed in 1993, helped by a push from the UK. It removes border checks on goods by making all members follow the same rules on product safety, food and standards. Businesses can sell services across borders, and people can live and work in any member state. The European Economic Area adds Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, which follow single market rules without full EU membership. Since leaving, UK firms face extra paperwork and checks when selling to the EU. In return the UK can set its own rules and end free movement. Northern Ireland follows some EU single market rules for goods, under the Windsor Framework, to avoid a hard border in Ireland. Switzerland has access to much of it through separate deals.
Many on the left want to rebuild closer access to EU markets, while some worry single market rules limit state aid and nationalisation.
Many on the right value leaving the single market because it ended free movement and EU rule-making, though some want easier trade.
Britain is split. Now you decide.
In WeDecide you can choose to align with EU rules for easier trade, or diverge for more freedom, and see the effects.
Play WeDecide freeCommon questions
What are the four freedoms?
The free movement of goods, services, capital and people across the single market.
Is the single market the same as the customs union?
No. The single market removes barriers like differing rules. The customs union removes tariffs and sets a shared external tariff.