Overview
- The Justice Committee approved the bill’s report by 31–5 with 1 abstention, with PSOE, Junts, PP, Vox and PNV in favor, Sumar, EH Bildu and Podemos against, and ERC abstaining.
- The text stiffens the Penal Code and criminal procedure, introducing 6–18 months in prison after three prior petty-theft convictions and 1–3 years for theft of mobile or similar electronic devices, excluding items on shop display.
- Reporting diverges on the monetary trigger for repeat thefts: El Periódico says the €400 cumulative threshold is removed, while El Mundo says it remains, leaving the final scope unclear publicly.
- The package also adds petty theft as an aggravating factor, extends similar treatment to fraud offenses, and allows precautionary geographic bans during investigations to protect victims or prevent reoffending.
- The full Congress vote is slated for the first February 2026 plenary before Senate review, and outlets report the PP majority may respect the deal, which could allow enactment by spring if the text is unchanged.