The Catalan government has launched an overhaul of its administrative system, targeting more than 210 procedures for simplification and digitalization. Salvador Illa's executive is leading the plan, which aims to cut bureaucracy and make daily life easier for residents across the region. Authorities estimate the changes have already saved citizens around six million hours each year, with further improvements expected as the program expands. The Generalitat's public catalogue of plans and programmes provides an institutional structure for initiatives led by or involving the Department of the Presidency.
Patients no longer need to visit hospitals in person to give consent for medical procedures. They can now approve them digitally through the 'La meva salut' platform, which has processed 300,000 consents and eliminated the need for 6,000 in-person appointments. In civil matters, registering as a pareja de hecho (stable couple) has become easier. Previously, both partners had to complete separate paperwork; now one starts the process and the other confirms it online, reducing paperwork and the risk of errors. Digital access is also available for other Generalitat procedures: an online application for grants supporting equality plans, for example, can be completed using idCATMòbil or a digital certificate.
The government has streamlined 170 procedures and is preparing to extend the reforms to 40 more, many related to education. The modernization effort has received €11 million in investment. It involved 2,000 user interviews and an analysis of 20,000 public queries and complaints, which led to 350 targeted improvements. More than 1,800 PDF forms have been replaced, while 38 artificial intelligence programs are being gradually integrated to automate and improve services further. Separately, Catalan public bodies are testing AI for local administration through Agent.iA, a collaboration between the four provincial councils and the Consorci Administració Oberta de Catalunya (AOC). The project includes 10 proofs of concept involving assistants and AI agents for tasks such as answering residents' questions and supporting procurement and subsidy management. They are also being tested to review agreements and classify reports of street incidents. The AOC frames the initiative around public, ethical, sustainable, safe and responsible AI.
Education is also feeling the effects of the reforms. The new Bolsa de docentes app lets teachers accept or decline substitute positions in real time during working hours. With 78,000 teachers in the system, the app has already helped 20% of its 4,027 recent users secure employment. Certificates of Catalan language proficiency are also available to download digitally, removing the need for in-person visits. More than 8,000 certificates have been issued through the new system so far.
Other sectors are benefiting, too. Permits for beach activities have been streamlined, cutting inquiries by 55% while increasing authorizations. Roadwork procedures have been cut from more than 200 templates to just 15. In agriculture, new visual tools and mapping systems launching in September will help farmers identify land-use changes and cut approval waiting times from 5.5 to 2.5 months. The official registry for agricultural machinery has also been simplified, with fewer forms and shorter processing times. In road freight, a separate government-backed digital initiative, the Plataforma Administrativa de Documentació Electrònica del Transport (Padel-T), gives operators a free tool to create, manage and retain administrative-control documents. The platform can generate PDFs and QR codes, provide unique consultation links and connect with business software, supporting a shift away from paper-based records.
The Catgirem plan is part of a broader strategy to modernize Catalonia's public administration. More than 1,000 civil servants received training in 2025 to support the changes. Government officials describe the reforms as a cultural shift towards greater transparency and more responsive public services.
Spain has long faced criticism for its complex bureaucracy, which often slows access to impressive services and frustrates residents and businesses. The Catalan government's approach reflects a wider European trend, with digitalization and administrative simplification seen as ways to improve public-sector performance. As these measures take hold, Catalonia aims to set a benchmark for other regions seeking to modernize their administrative systems.
