Cabify España CEO Alberto González says driverless cars could be on Spanish roads by 2027. He believes these vehicles will add new ways to get around, not take away jobs—just as VTCs once changed the taxi market.
Alberto González, CEO of Cabify España, has set a date for a big change in Spanish city travel. He says autonomous cars could be on Spanish streets by 2027. For González, this is not some far-off idea. "The autonomous car is a reality that is already here," he says.
González spoke at the Foro Económico de El Diario Montañés. He said the main questions now are which cities will see these cars first and how people will adjust. For Cabify, driverless cars are not about cutting jobs or turning the sector upside down overnight. González sees them as a new force that will work alongside what exists—just as VTC services once grew the taxi market instead of wiping it out.
In September 2026, Spain authorized the first national pilot tests for Level 4 robotaxis in Madrid, with Uber, WeRide, and AVOMO permitted to operate 20 autonomous vehicles on public roads.
"The arrival of the autonomous car will be disruptive but it will not come to replace anything," González said. He stressed that many rides will still need a human driver. Cabify’s 4,000 direct employees remain key to the company’s plans. He called for a slow, steady transition with laws that protect everyone involved.
Cabify wants to bring people together, not split them apart. González pointed to the company’s work to add taxi drivers to its platform. This is already happening in several cities. In Madrid, thousands of taxi drivers now use Cabify’s app. González says this helps drivers earn more and gives riders more choice.
On rules and regulations, González said, "the taxi has reason in many aspects." He welcomed Madrid’s new special access permit for VTC drivers. He thinks this helps make the sector more professional and keeps competition fair. Official information from Comunidad de Madrid says all vehicles for hire with up to nine seats need a specific VTC authorization. Moving to autonomous services will still need clear laws, not just the usual transport rules.
Although pilot robotaxi tests are underway, commercial rides are not yet allowed. After the test phase, vehicles will need separate certification, and full-scale operations hinge on new European regulations expected to take effect in January 2027.
Urban transport in Spain is already changing. New companies and new tech are shaking up old habits. The push for new ideas goes beyond ride-hailing. As reported earlier, carmakers like BYD are moving in fast, making the market more crowded and speeding up change.
Cabify stands out for wanting a smooth transition. González does not see autonomous cars as a threat. He calls them the next step in a sector that has already seen big changes. Cabify’s plan to work with both taxi and VTC drivers, and its push for balanced rules, point to a future shaped by adaptation, not fights.
The real test for Spain will be whether this shift brings what it promises: city travel that is more efficient, greener, and open to all. If Cabify’s plan works, the sector could avoid old battles and build a system where tech and tradition move forward together. That would be a rare win for both drivers and passengers in a market known for friction.
