Taxi drivers across Catalonia will soon be legally obliged to demonstrate a minimum level of Catalan under a new draft law presented by the Generalitat. The measure, long demanded by linguistic advocacy groups, aims to guarantee passengers’ right to be served in the region’s official language.
According to Plataforma per la Llengua, the requirement was secured through an amendment negotiated with Élite Taxi, the main drivers’ union. The draft legislation will be presented to the Catalan Parliament this week after first passing through the Consell del Taxi.
The current proposal sets the minimum threshold at level B1, but campaigners are pushing for B2 certification to be made mandatory. If adopted, the law would apply retroactively to all active drivers, including those working for ride-hailing services such as VTCs, who would be given a maximum of two years to comply.
Plataforma per la Llengua argues the reform represents a historic milestone for linguistic rights in Catalonia and could inspire similar requirements in other professions. The group has pledged to work with unions and the Generalitat to provide resources and training so that drivers can achieve the required standard.
The law enjoys broad parliamentary support and is expected to pass, marking a turning point in the intersection between mobility services and language policy in Catalonia.
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