Freedom to provide cross-border services: admission to the third-country nationals established within the Community

The European Parliament adopted a resolution, drafted by Ms. Maria BERGER (PES, A), approving the Commission's proposal subject to a number of amendments. The amendments cover the following aspects: - scope: the Directive shall apply to service providers who are nationals of a third country and who are lawfully established within the Community; the Directive shall not apply to recipients of cross-border services who are nationals of third countries or to provisions of services in the transport sector. - a 'service provider' must have had his residence, in accordance with the legislation of the Member State in which he is established, for at least 12 months; - stricter criteria for the issue of the card: (a) insurance against the risk of sickness and occupational accidents - proof from the social insurance institution of the Member State in which the service provider is established or a private insurance policy; (b) the service provider is not obliged for reasons to do with the right of residence to leave the territory of the Member State; (c) if there is nothing in the relevant rules in force in the Member State where the services are provided to prevent him from pursuing his activities; and (d) if no Member State challenges the validity of the service provision card on its territory. If any of these conditions ceases to apply after the issue of the card, the card will cease to be valid and the relevant Member State shall require the service provider to cooperate in the return of the EU service provision card. - provisions regarding the details to be contained in the service provision card. - the Commission will be assisted by an advisory committee in drawing up the specimen document to be issued and the technical specifications designed to prevent falsification; the Parliament shall be kept informed by the Commission of the committee proceedings on a regular basis. - designated Member States authorities shall grant information on service cards issued to authorities of the other Member States.�