European Economic Area

EU-Specific

Area of free trade between EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. EEA countries apply most EU single market rules.

Sources

1. EFTA — The European Economic Area efta.int accessed 23 September 2026

EFTA states it plainly: “The Agreement on the European Economic Area, which entered into force on 1 January 1994, brings together the EU Member States and the three EEA EFTA States — Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway — in a single market, referred to as the Internal Market.” It “guarantees equal rights and obligations within the Internal Market for individuals and economic operators in the EEA”, extending the four freedoms — goods, services, persons and capital — across the EEA States, along with cooperation in areas such as research, education, environment and consumer protection. Worth noting for exporters: the EEA extends the internal market, not the customs union, so customs formalities still apply between the EU and the EEA EFTA States.

EFTA’s own description. Switzerland is an EFTA member but not an EEA member, and trades with the EU under separate bilateral agreements.

Related terms

• DG Trade
• ECHA
• EDQM
• EFSA
• EMA
• EU Customs Single Window

From the AJG lexicon archive (July 2026).