MEP Pina Picierno (S&D) has submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission, demanding clarification on its decision to discontinue the 'Your Europe Advice' (YEA) service, a free legal advice helpline for citizens and businesses on EU internal market and citizenship rights. The move, which will see the service end on 1 September 2026, impacts thousands of users and the SOLVIT network, which relies on YEA for alternative dispute resolution.
The question, filed on 13 April 2026 under Rule 144, follows reports that the Commission's Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) decided not to issue a new call for tenders, effectively ending the service after 30 years. Picierno notes that YEA handles over 30,000 queries annually, responding in all 24 EU languages within a week.
Concrete asks and policy direction
Picierno's question contains three specific requests: first, clarification on why the service is being discontinued without a public consultation; second, whether an impact assessment was conducted on citizens, SOLVIT centres, and other DGs; and third, whether transferring management to another DG was considered. The MEP's orientation is clearly pro-service continuity, questioning the lack of transparency and potential negative consequences for EU citizens and businesses.
Expected follow-up
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether the decision is final or open to reversal, and whether any mitigating measures are planned. The response may also reveal internal assessments and the rationale behind the abrupt discontinuation, shaping future policy on citizen-facing EU services.