In recent months, the situation with VTC (vehículos de turismo con conductor) in Galicia has become one of the most talked-about topics among locals. More than 450 infractions recorded in 2025 and early 2026 have raised concerns among everyone monitoring the transport sector. The reason is simple: most VTC drivers were found transporting passengers within a single municipality, which directly contradicts current Galician legislation. This has not only fueled tension between taxi drivers and companies like Uber, Bolt, and Cabify, but also cast doubt on the effectiveness of oversight by local authorities.
Faced with a surge of complaints from taxi drivers, the Galician authorities were forced to step up inspections. As a result, it turned out that most violations occur because VTC cars continue to operate within the same city, despite the law requiring them to provide service between different municipalities. The problem is especially acute in cities like A Coruña, where more than ten fines totaling €16,000 have been issued just in recent months. However, despite this, the municipality still lacks a clear regulatory framework for VTC operations, causing dissatisfaction both among taxi drivers and the VTC operators themselves.
Conflict of interests
Municipalities have found themselves in a difficult position: on one hand, they receive inspection results from regional authorities, but on the other — they lack sufficient powers for prompt response. The Director of Mobility for Galicia, Judit Fontela, stressed in parliament that it is municipalities that should assume responsibility for regulating and overseeing VTC. She pointed out that inspections are carried out at the regional level, but the final decision on sanctions rests with local authorities. Her statement sparked intense discussions among city officials, who are demanding clearer rules and more support from the Galician government on enforcement issues.
In A Coruña, the situation is further complicated by the fact that the city has only just begun the public consultation process for future VTC regulations. Residents and professional groups have been given the opportunity to submit proposals, working alongside technical experts to develop new rules. Mayor Inés Rey has already requested that the regional authorities suspend the issuing of new VTC permits until the new regulations are in place. Many taxi drivers have backed this decision, as they fear increased competition and declining earnings.
Law and practice
Regional authorities emphasize that they issue inter-municipal VTC licenses only when all requirements are met, including environmental standards. However, according to Fontela, current legislation also allows municipalities to issue local urban licenses independently if the operator already holds an inter-municipal permit registered in Galicia. This creates additional confusion and complicates oversight of the companies providing VTC services.
Back in October last year, Galician authorities reported the first hundreds of violation notices: 116 in Santiago de Compostela, 112 in A Coruña, 17 in Vigo, and 2 in Culleredo. Four months later, the situation remains unchanged: the number of infractions continues to rise, while specific city data is no longer made public. This raises concerns among the public and fuels discontent among taxi drivers, who claim that VTC operators are acting outside the law.
Public response
In recent weeks, taxi drivers unaffiliated with major industry associations have staged protests in A Coruña, demanding stricter oversight and clear sanctions for VTC operators who break the rules. City authorities, in turn, are forced to balance between the demands of taxi drivers and the need to ensure modern transport services are accessible to residents and visitors. The question of who should be responsible for oversight and penalties remains unresolved.
At the same time, similar conflicts between traditional carriers and new services are unfolding in other regions of Spain. For example, a recent disruption in the Rodalies rail system in Barcelona sparked a strong reaction among passengers and prompted widespread discussion about the challenges facing transportation infrastructure. For more details on how such incidents shape public opinion, see the article about the unexpected Rodalies stoppage in Barcelona.
Overall, the situation with VTC services in Galicia reflects a nationwide trend: the rise of new transport providers is making it necessary to revisit old regulations and seek a balance between the interests of various market players. While authorities and operators debate the details, residents deal with the consequences of unresolved issues on a daily basis.
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly become a battleground for heated disputes between taxi drivers and VTC companies. In Madrid and Barcelona, mass protests and strikes by taxi drivers have already led to temporary restrictions on Uber and Cabify services. Some regions introduced strict quotas and special zones for VTC, but these measures have not solved all the problems. The question of fair market distribution and oversight of new transport operators remains one of the most challenging for local authorities. These conflicts erupt regularly in different cities, each time demanding new solutions and compromises.
