Overview

• The City Council of Madrid implemented a regulation in December 2024 requiring graffiti offenders to repaint vandalized walls as the only alternative to paying fines.
• To date, 33 participants have completed 1,228 hours of supervised cleaning, covering 2,625 square meters of graffiti and commuting €64,100 in fines.
• Fines for illegal graffiti range from €300 to €3,000, with offenders working at a rate of €50 per hour to offset penalties.
• A recent public cleaning event in Plaza de Juan Muñoz involved six offenders repainting an 85-meter wall under the supervision of city officials and media, drawing criticism for its perceived public-shaming aspect.
• Graffiti artists and residents advocate for authorized legal walls to promote urban art and reduce vandalism, while city officials emphasize cost savings and behavior correction.