Spain has passed a law that could change the daily lives of many city residents. Now, repeat petty thefts—even if the damage is less than 400 euros—can result in up to three years in prison. The move comes in response to growing dissatisfaction among citizens and mayors, especially in Catalonia, where theft and street crime have been a long-running concern.
The bill was supported by several major political forces, including socialists, conservatives, and nationalists. The focus is on thefts of mobile phones and other electronics, which have long been a headache for police and city dwellers. The new rules apply only to those who have already been convicted three times for similar crimes, which, according to the reform’s authors, should help curb the wave of repeat offenses.
Political disagreements
The Congress decision sparked a heated response in parliament. Representatives of most parties voted for the reform, but not without sharp debates. Some lawmakers accused the initiative’s authors of trying to shift responsibility for social problems onto vulnerable groups. Left-wing parties opposed the measure, while some nationalists abstained, citing concerns over increased social tensions.
The situation in Catalonia drew particular attention, as the number of thefts has risen sharply in recent years. Mayors of cities in the region have repeatedly called for tougher penalties, believing that previous measures are ineffective. Representatives of municipalities were present in the chamber, insisting on the urgent need for changes.
Arguments of both sides
Supporters of the reform are convinced that only real prison terms can stop criminals who have avoided serious punishment for years. They stress that these are not accidental offenders but repeat offenders who systematically commit theft, taking advantage of lenient laws. In their view, the new regulation will help reduce street crime and restore a sense of security for residents.
Opponents of the law consider it excessively harsh and unjust. According to them, stricter penalties will not solve the root problems and will only worsen the situation of the poor and migrants. Some lawmakers compared the reform to ‘populist’ initiatives that ignore the social causes of crime. They voiced concerns that the new rules would lead to overcrowded prisons and greater social isolation.
Impact on the regions
Special attention is given to Catalonia and Barcelona, where the issue of repeat thefts is particularly acute. The region reports a record number of fast-track court proceedings for petty theft cases. Local authorities insist that without tougher penalties, it will be impossible to tackle the crime wave that is undermining trust in the police and the judicial system.
Meanwhile, in Madrid and other regions, the situation is less tense, but concerns about rising crime are also present there. Some politicians link the increase in thefts to migration processes, others attribute it to shortcomings in law enforcement. In any case, the new law has already sparked heated debates at all levels of government.
Context and consequences
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly faced waves of public discontent over lenient punishments for repeat petty crimes. In 2024, Barcelona and Valencia saw mass protests where residents demanded tougher measures against street theft. Similar laws have already been discussed in other European countries, but they have not always delivered the expected results. Now, Spain will have to observe how the new rules affect crime statistics and public opinion.
