What does the Single European Act of 1986 primarily promote regarding individuals within the EU?

The Single European Act of 1986 primarily promotes the free movement of individuals within the EU, which encompasses the rights to live, work, study, and retire in any member state. This act was integral in laying the groundwork for the single market, enhancing economic integration and allowing citizens greater freedom across borders. By removing barriers to movement, it aimed to foster opportunities for individuals, enabling them to pursue employment, education, and even retirement within the EU without facing restrictive regulations.

While free movement to invest, participate in elections, and trade goods are important aspects of the European Union’s policies and objectives, the foundational focus of the Single European Act aligns most closely with enabling the personal mobility and rights of individuals within the member states, which significantly contributed to the development of a more interconnected and integrated European society.