Barcelona’s mayor Jaume Collboni has unveiled a record-breaking budget proposal for 2026. The city’s spending plan will hit €4.08 billion, marking a 6% increase from this year’s €3.85 billion. It’s the biggest budget in the city’s history.
However, Collboni faces a challenge. He’s yet to get any budget through the usual approval process since taking office. Last year’s budget squeaked through via a confidence vote, whilst the 2025 budget had to be rolled over from the previous year.
The Socialist mayor’s minority government controls just 10 council seats. This means he’ll need opposition support to pass the proposals. For the past two years, only the left-wing ERC party backed his spending plans.
So where’s the money going? Housing takes centre stage in the 2026 budget, according to documents obtained by Tot Barcelona. Meanwhile, the city will maintain spending on public transport, the Pla Endreça urban improvement scheme, and social services.
The budget breakdown shows €583.1 million earmarked for real investments. Staff costs will reach €565.1 million, whilst current goods and services take €849.1 million. Transfer payments account for the largest chunk at €1.65 billion.
Additionally, the council has set aside a €113.3 million contingency fund. Capital transfers, including EU Next Generation funds, total €79.4 million.
On the income side, Barcelona expects €1.21 billion from direct taxes. Indirect taxes will bring in €242.5 million, with fees and other charges adding €384.8 million. Current transfers top the list at €1.84 billion.
If the standard approval process fails again, Collboni can deploy a confidence vote for the second and final time. But that’s a risky political move that could backfire.
The government must also begin processing the 2026 tax ordinances immediately. These set the rates that residents and businesses pay. Before the Mercè festival, Collboni suggested freezing taxes for families and small businesses as a starting point for budget negotiations.
The tax measures will once again focus on tourism-related levies. This continues the city’s push to manage visitor numbers and their impact on local life.
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