Overview

• Mossos d'Esquadra report identifying 25 to 30 irregular operators around Barcelona-El Prat, which they estimate account for roughly 70% of the long-stay offer.
• A July 30 sweep led to 25 identifications and four detentions under immigration rules, with up to eight vehicles inspected and multiple administrative files opened.
• Labor inspectors opened sanction files that can reach €10,000 per worker without a contract, and expulsion procedures have begun for staff in an irregular situation.
• These firms solicit travelers at the terminals, advertise about €20 per week versus roughly €80 legally, and leave cars in nearby public lots such as the Viladecans outlet, the airport road, or near the Amazon facility.
• Victims report cars returned damaged or with high mileage, and at least one vehicle was used in a violent robbery in Martorell, yet most complaints are administrative with only a few criminal investigations underway.