Answer to a written question – EU internal market rules and the activities of Barcelona’s historic coin and stamp market – E-003590/2025(ASW)

The Services Directive[1] applies to all economic activities provided for remuneration, except those expressly excluded in its Article 2. Specialised markets, including those with a cultural or heritage character, are not excluded from its scope.

However, the Services Directive allows Member States to introduce certain measures restricting the exercise of a service activity if justified for reasons of overriding public interest. This includes, notably, the protection of the urban environment or the conservation of the national historic and artistic heritage. Such measures should comply with all the conditions laid down by this directive .

• [1] Directive 2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on services in the internal market (OJ L 376, 27.12.2006, p. 36).