Catalonia’s new taxi law, backed by PSC, Junts, ERC, Comuns and CUP, is set to redraw the lines between traditional taxis and ride-hailing services such as Uber. The legislation, registered in Parliament this week, establishes taxis as a public service of general economic interest, while placing vehicles with driver (VTCs) under a separate framework.
For taxis, the obligations remain strict. They cannot refuse passengers, must charge fares visible on the taximeter, and are required to provide a minimum level of coverage across different areas and time slots. In emergencies or moments of public need, they must also make themselves available to the authorities and citizens.
Uber and other VTCs, by contrast, will not face such public service obligations. They will not be compelled to accept all passengers, nor to maintain regulated fares or ensure territorial coverage at all times. The law instead creates a regulated space for digital platforms, making clear that taxis and VTCs play different roles in the mobility ecosystem.
The legislation’s backers say the aim is to balance competition while safeguarding the essential public service role of taxis. Critics, however, argue that it risks limiting consumer choice in a city where waiting times are already among the longest in Europe.
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