18. Public services and EU law

This chapter discusses EU law on public services. It begins by explaining the meaning of the term ‘public services’ and the related term used by the EU, ‘services of general economic interest’ (SGEIs). It then considers the rules on commercial monopolies set out in Article 37 TFEU and the rules on state aid in Articles 107 and 108 TFEU. This is followed by case studies on the following public services: utilities, social services, and health care.