Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs)
European Union - Singapore Digital Trade Agreement (EUSDTA)
The European Union - Singapore Digital Trade Agreement (EUSDTA) enhances digital connectivity and facilitates end-to-end digital trade between the EU and Singapore.
About the European Union – Singapore Digital Trade Agreement (EUSDTA)
The EUSDTA was signed on 7 May 2025 and entered into force for Singapore and the EU on 1 February 2026. It builds on the longstanding and strong economic relations between Singapore and the EU, which are anchored by the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA).
The EUSDTA is the EU’s first bilateral digital economy agreement with another country. The Agreement promotes greater region-to-region digital connectivity and facilitates end-to-end digital trade between the EU and Singapore. It also establishes robust and legally binding rules for digital trade and cross-border data flows, providing clarity and legal certainty for citizens and businesses accessing opportunities in the digital economy.
Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu and EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič signed the European Union-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement (EUSDTA) in Singapore on 7 May 2025.
Key Features of the EUSDTA
Enable and facilitate open and secure data flows
The EUSDTA supports trusted cross-border data flows for electronic commerce and other digitally enabled activities, while maintaining a legal framework for personal data protection based on internationally recognised principles.
Facilitate end-to-end digital trade
The EUSDTA will promote the use of internationally accepted standards, enhance interoperability, and foster innovation and competition in e-payment services. It will also support cross-border interoperability of e-invoicing frameworks to improve the cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and reliability of digital trade, and encourage the adoption of paperless trading.
Establish trusted and secure digital systems
Singapore and the EU will collaborate to strengthen cybersecurity, including threat mitigation and workforce capability building. To enhance online consumer protection, both sides will adopt or maintain measures against fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive practices in electronic commerce.
Promote greater participation in the Digital Economy
Singapore and the EU will cooperate to share best practices on leveraging digital tools to enhance the participation of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in digital trade.