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El Prat records 529 complaints against “pirate taxis” in six months
The activity of so-called “pirate taxis” is gaining ground again at Barcelona Airport. In the first six months of 2026, 529 complaints have been recorded, a figure that has led to reinforced controls at terminals and alerts travellers arriving in the city for the first time.
These drivers usually approach passengers in the arrivals areas, before they reach the official taxi rank. They offer to take them straight to Barcelona, a hotel or any other destination, normally at a verbally agreed price and without going through the regulated system.
Their approach is particularly effective with tired tourists, laden with luggage or disoriented after the flight. Some do not know where the official queue is, while others accept the offer to avoid waiting without realising that they are hiring an irregular service.
Different situations fall under the label of a ‘pirate taxi’. There are private individuals who transport travellers without authorisation, but also drivers linked to licensed vehicles who solicit customers outside permitted channels, negotiate the fare directly or provide services without respecting the established conditions.
The risk to the user goes beyond paying a high fare. As the journey is not recorded as an ordinary service, it is much more difficult to complain about excessive charges, forgotten belongings, route changes or any incident occurring during the trip.
The Mossos d’Esquadra have stepped up surveillance to detect these practices, which are concentrated above all in the terminal lobbies and access points. The checks seek to identify both those who solicit travellers inside the airport and the vehicles used to complete the journeys.
The problem has persisted for years and has prompted protests and clashes with the taxi sector. Licensed professionals report unfair competition and warn that the presence of solicitors also creates confusion among passengers, particularly at times of the greatest arrival of flights.
Anyone needing a taxi should go to the marked ranks at T1 or T2 and avoid offers made inside the terminal. Barcelona’s official vehicles are black and yellow, have a taximeter and must apply regulated fares, including airport supplements.
The scene is repeated amid suitcases, welcome signs and travellers looking for a quick way out of El Prat. The key is not to accept the first offer: a few minutes to the official rank can prevent a journey without guarantees and an arrival in Barcelona far more expensive than expected.