(Reference for a preliminary ruling– Freedom to provide services– Posting of workers– Directive 96/71

54Since these proceedings are, for the parties to the main proceedings, a step in the action pending before the national court, the decision on costs is a matter for that court. Costs incurred in submitting observations to the Court, other than the costs of those parties, are not recoverable.

On those grounds, the Court (Sixth Chamber) hereby rules:

Article5 of Directive 96/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16December 1996 concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services, read in conjunction with Article47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and in the light of the general principle of EU law relating to the right to good administration, must be interpreted as not precluding national legislation providing for a five-year limitation period for failure to comply with obligations relating to the remuneration of posted workers.

[Signatures]

*Language of the case: German.