BlaBlaCar denounces Spain before the EU in response to sanctions

   The Spanish subsidiary of the French company faces a possible fine of 8,803 euros, for unprecedented sanctions in the 22 countries in which it operates

   BlaBlaCar, the leading shared car travel application, has denounced Spain to the European Commission in response to three sanction files received for allegedly operating without the proper license, the company announced on Tuesday.

The Spanish subsidiary of BlaBlarCar, Comuto SA., "Yesterday filed a complaint to Spain with the European Commission for the administrative practices carried out by the Community of Madrid against the platform and two of its users," says a statement from the company.

   These practices "imply a violation of European law: in particular, the freedom to provide services and freedom of establishment," says the company.

The complaint was presented to the general secretariat of the Commission, Jaime Rodríguez, director of BlaBlaCar for Spain and Portugal, told reporters in Madrid, saying he was willing to resort to "all legal mechanisms."

Fine of up to 8,800 euros

The sanctions decided in Madrid are unprecedented in the 22 countries in which the French company operates, which, through a digital platform, connects drivers and passengers who are going to make the same journey, with no profit motive for drivers.

In total, the Spanish subsidiary of BlaBlaCar faces a possible fine of 8,803 euros in the Madrid region.

According to a lawyer of the company, Juan Manuel Rodríguez Cárcamo, the lawsuit has two objectives: to denounce administrative practices that in the company's opinion hinder its activity and force the Spanish State to clarify the legislation, at the moment "confusing".