Spain’s popular ‘chiringuito’ beach bars are under threat as the EU has issued another warning to the country about the coastal businesses.

The European Commission warned the Spanish government again that the method used to approve concessions was not in accordance with EU law.

Sources from the central government’s Ministry for Ecological Transition say that the usual procedure in Spain is made up of an application of intention, which leads to the opening of a public consultation period of 20 days.

With that period, any parties who are also interested in the space can also opt to set up at the site.

However, Brussels considers that the formula used in Spain to grant beach bar concessions lacks the “transparency” that the EU requires for the type of procedure on public land.

Now, the Spanish government only have two months to debate the sanctions that they may be faced with. If not, the case will be taken to the Court of Justice of the European Union, which will decide whether or not the procedure is appropriate.

According to a report in Sur in English, Andalusia in Peninsular Spain has been directly impacted as the regional government (Junta de Andalucía) had the authority over beach concessions transferred to them.

Manuel Villafaina, president of the regional federation for beach traders, discussed his position on the accusations made by Brussels.

He said: “It is quite the opposite: the Ley de Costas [Spain’s national law on coastal use] already includes the element of competition and anyone can opt for it.”

“The problem is that we have been dealing with these case files for ten years now, they have been delayed for a long time despite the facr that we have done everything we can to bring them to a successful conclusion. The regional and central governments are not reaching the necessary agreements.

“It is barbaric, the [central] government cannot say that is is going to pass fines on to the Junta because it has the powers; it is necessary to continue processing the paperwork and not to stop for something that is not even law, and that could take several years in the EU court. Let’s see how central government responds now…”