Overview
- The draft law under debate would bar VTCs from operating like taxis in the Barcelona metro area and limit them to special services booked at least two hours in advance.
- Uber, Cabify and Bolt are coordinating political pressure while preparing court challenges, with sector leaders warning of thousands of job losses and estimating compensation claims near €80 million.
- IMET data show extensive platform use by taxis: 4,345 licences work with Free Now and 1,684 with Uber, accounting for more than half of active taxi licences in the area.
- Platforms are accelerating integration of taxis into their apps, with Uber offering a €1,500 insurance contribution to new taxi partners through March 31 and targeting half of Barcelona’s cab fleet by late 2026.
- Élite Taxi’s latest street action drew about 500 vehicles after a call for 3,000, and its leader Tito Álvarez has filed a complaint against Uber with the Guardia Civil while pressing for a swift parliamentary vote.