This paper aims at discussing how the Single European Market is adapting to the changing global environment, especially to the effects of the economic and financial crisis, which was a major test for the European economies and created important social costs. Based on an attentive analysis of the main Communications of the European Commission, some interesting conclusions are derived regarding the beneficial results of the continuous strengthening of the four free movements (of goods, services, capital and people) created by the Single Market in the European Union.