Catalonia's government is rolling out a major plan to simplify over 210 administrative procedures. The initiative aims to save millions of hours for residents and modernize public services. Key changes affect health, education, and civil documentation.
The Catalan government has launched an ambitious overhaul of its administrative system, targeting more than 210 procedures for simplification and digitalization. The plan, led by Salvador Illa's executive, is designed to cut bureaucracy and make daily life easier for residents across the region. Authorities estimate that these changes have already saved citizens around six million hours each year, with further improvements expected as the program expands.
Among the most notable updates, patients no longer need to visit hospitals in person to give consent for medical procedures. Instead, approvals can now be managed digitally through the 'La meva salut' platform, which has already 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 significantly easier. Previously, both partners had to complete separate paperwork, but now one initiates the process and the other confirms it online, reducing the number of forms and minimizing errors.
The government has already streamlined 170 procedures and is preparing to extend these reforms to 40 more, many related to education. The total investment in this modernization effort stands at €11 million. The process has involved 2,000 user interviews and the analysis of 20,000 public queries and complaints, resulting in 350 targeted improvements. More than 1,800 PDF forms have been replaced, and 38 artificial intelligence programs are being gradually integrated to further automate and optimize services.
Education is also seeing the impact of these reforms. The new Bolsa de docentes app allows teachers to 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. Additionally, certificates for Catalan language proficiency can now be downloaded digitally, bypassing the need for in-person visits. Over 8,000 certificates have been issued through the new system so far.
Other sectors are benefiting as well. Permits for beach activities have been streamlined, cutting inquiries by 55% and increasing authorizations. Roadwork procedures have been reduced from over 200 templates to just 15. In agriculture, new visual tools and mapping systems launching in September will help farmers identify land use changes and reduce waiting times for approvals from 5.5 to 2.5 months. The official registry for agricultural machinery has also been simplified, with fewer forms and shorter processing times.
The Catgirem plan, as the initiative is known, is part of a broader strategy to modernize Catalonia's public administration. Over 1,000 civil servants received training in 2025 to support these changes. According to government officials, the reforms represent a cultural shift towards greater transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness in public services.
For context, Spain has long faced criticism for its complex bureaucracy, which often slows down access to essential services and frustrates both residents and businesses. The Catalan government's approach reflects a wider trend across Europe, where digitalization and administrative simplification are seen as key to improving public sector performance. As these measures take hold, Catalonia aims to set a benchmark for other regions seeking to modernize their own administrative systems.
