Microsystems technology has gained considerable interest world-wide amongst research institutes and industry. Despite the obvious benefits of and needs for this technology, the successful production and marketing of microsystems are more difficult than anticipated. This article reviews the possible market opportunities for such systems and analyses the problems that still impede broad economical success. It has been established that possibilities for a few mass products exist, that will mainly be offered by large companies, and for a large variety of specialist applications, which are traditional targets of small and medium-sized companies. However, to date only large companies control all the complex steps required for the qualified production of microsystems, but they are normally not interested in that kind of market. Coordinated European measures in the field of industrial policy, technology development, organisation and infrastructure could overcome these problems. European activities that are planned or that have already been started are described.