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This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain. In this way, you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense. Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain.
It is often said that knowledge is power, and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country, like Spain. Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture, rules, events, and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time.
This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain. In this way, you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense. Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain.
By Adam Woodward •
Published: 19 Dec 2024 • 8:35
• 1 minute read
European Commission is to fine Spanish government over the approval of beach bars, putting under threat some already existing ‘chiringuitos’.
The argument has been going on for years between the EC and successive Spanish governments, but now it has begun to rear its ugly head once more with threats of sanctions that could be sent to the Spanish government within a matter of months.
The Commission claims that the method the government uses to give permission to put a beach bar on the sand is not in line with EU rules, and they are demanding that Spain change. For years the method has always been that someone, anyone in fact, applies for a licence, the request is studied, put to public consultation for a period of 20 days, and either approved or declined.
Commission says beach bar rules conflict with EU law
The bone of contention with the Commission is Spain’s dedicating of permanent private structures on public land and the renting of annexes of beaches for the use of businesses such as beach bar terraces, paddle board concessions, and the like. All beaches in Spain are public property, one of the legal sticking points that has led to the demolition of some beachfront properties through the years.
With beach bars, the Commission is of the opinion that there is little legal transparency regarding how licences are granted for the construction of private establishments on public land and wants a more binary legal definition of what is and what is not permitted.
The introduction of potential EC sanctions against Spain is further putting strain on the relationship between Brussels and Madrid, not least with current tensions between the two over fishing rights. The question is whether potentially pressure from the European Commission could lead to some of our most beloved chiringuitos having their licences revoked and being demolished.
Under EU law there is not exception to any rule no matter what your culture and history decides.
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