Brussels: EU countries imported £3,471 billion worth of services in 2024 from non-EU countries, according to figures published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Most of the services, amounting to 58.9% (£2,044 billion), were imported through a commercial presence within the reporting country. Cross-border supply accounted for 31.3% of imports (£1,087 billion), consumption abroad for 6.6% (£229 billion), and the presence of natural persons (mode 4) for 3.2% (£111 billion).
According to Emirates News Agency, in 22 EU countries, the majority of service imports came through a commercial presence within their territory. The highest shares of imports via commercial presence were recorded in Bulgaria (81.7%), Hungary (78.1%), and Spain (74.5%).
Cross-border supply was the dominant mode in Greece, accounting for 68.8% of imports. Cyprus (43.8%), Sweden (37.7%), and Denmark (37.4%) also reported high shares. Consumption abroad (mode 2) played a significant role in Denmark, where it accounted for 22.3% of imports. France (12.1%), Lithuania (10.8%), Croatia (10.4%), and Italy (10.3%) also recorded notable shares. For other EU countries, it accounted for less than 10% of the total imports.
The presence of natural persons (mode 4) was most pronounced in Cyprus and Denmark, each with a 7.3% share, and in Belgium (5.4%).