Starting Monday, 23 February, residents and visitors in Barcelona will be able to book traditional taxis through the Cabify platform. This new Cabify Barcelona taxi service aims to expand the fleet and reduce passenger waiting times across the metropolitan area.
Expanding Fleet to Meet Demand
Cabify has operated in Barcelona since 2011, currently managing a fleet of approximately 1,100 VTC (vehicle for hire) cars. However, company officials argue that the city requires double or triple the current supply of vehicles to adequately meet demand, particularly during peak hours and high-tourism seasons.
Your browser does not support the video tag.Home » Cabify Barcelona Taxi: New Service Launches with Low Commission
While integrating taxis does not increase the total number of vehicles on the road, it consolidates options for the user. Alberto González, General Director of Cabify Spain, noted that the move is designed to offer “more possibilities to get a service in less time,” allowing users to choose between the nearest vehicle or the most economical option.
Competitive Commission for Drivers
To attract taxi drivers to the platform, Cabify has established an intermediation commission of 7%. The company describes this rate as “the lowest on the market,” positioning itself aggressively against competitors such as Free Now and Uber, which already work with over half of the city’s operating licences. Additionally, Cabify is offering a welcome bonus of €100 to new drivers.
The company highlights the financial benefits of the partnership, reporting that taxi drivers connected to Cabify in other Spanish cities earned over €14 million net in 2025. According to an internal survey, half of the collaborating drivers reported an income increase of more than 25% since adopting the app.
Regulatory Context and Local Focus
The launch coincides with the processing of a new law regulating vehicles up to nine seats. The initial text of this legislation suggests limiting VTC activity to interurban services outside the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, which may have prompted Cabify to diversify its local operations.
Cabify has spent recent months working with the Institut Metropolità del Taxi (IMET) to ensure technical compliance. González described the resulting project as “solid, aligned with the needs of the city,” ensuring the integration occurs in an orderly manner compatible with the existing mobility ecosystem.
This integration is part of the broader “Cabify loves Barcelona” campaign, which aims to increase the platform’s usage among local residents rather than just tourists. Since the campaign began, the platform has added 9,000 new users, with local residents now accounting for three out of every ten trips. This could be seen as a counter-movement to the commercial rent crisis forcing historic shop closures which has impacted the city.
Apply to join our community of Entrepreneurs, Senior Executives and Founders at Bizcelona .
