SOLVIT is an informal problem-solving network established to resolve certain types of problems being experienced by EU citizens or businesses.
What is SOLVIT?
SOLVIT is an informal problem-solving network launched by the European Commission in 2002. It was established to resolve certain types of problems experienced by EU citizens or businesses with public administrations in EU Member States.
SOLVIT issues must be about denial of Internal Market Rights due to Internal Market law not being applied correctly. There are SOLVIT Centres in each EU country and in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Watch on YouTube: SOLVIT - YouTube
How SOLVIT works
There are three key criteria that must be met by all SOLVIT cases:
- a cross border element to the complaint
- caused by a perceived misapplication of EU law
- by a public authority of the host Member State
Where the Irish SOLVIT Centre is satisfied that a case referred to it is one that meets these criteria, it will raise the issue with the appropriate authority in Ireland or with its counterpart in the Member State concerned.
The SOLVIT Centres are committed to obtaining a response within ten weeks without prejudice to the right of clients to pursue other action, including legal action, if they are not satisfied with the response.
As SOLVIT represents an informal approach to problem solving, the SOLVIT system would not be used in situations where:
- legal proceedings are already under way
- the problem relates to national law
- deadlines under national law need to be respected
Problems commonly dealt with by SOLVIT
- Social Security
- VISA
- Residency
- Recognition of Professional Qualifications
- Taxation
How to submit a complaint
Complaints should be submitted through the European Commission SOLVIT complaint form. Before submitting a complaint you should ensure that you have gathered all supporting documentation so that it can be uploaded to the complaint database.
SOLVIT does not provide an advice service. Should you need information on your EU rights you should first consult the Your Europe website where you can find information on your EU rights including practical information on moving around the EU for citizens and businesses.
Should you require more specific legal advice you should consider contacting the Your Europe Advice service. Your Europe Advice is a team of independent legal experts who can:
- provide free and personalised advice in your language, within a week
- clarify the European law that applies in your case
- explain how you can exercise your EU rights
Contact information
Irish SOLVIT Centre, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Room 213a, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 TD30.
Email: solvit-ie@enterprise.gov.ie
More information on SOLVIT, including the contact details of all the SOLVIT Centres, can be found on the European Commission SOLVIT website.