Barcelona's new Coexistence Ordinance has led to a 32.7% reduction in citations during its first four and a half months in effect. Between February 15th and June 30th, 2026, 17,461 were recorded, compared to 25,956 in the same period last year. This evolution is attributed to a new regulatory framework that enhances the proportionality of sanctions and focuses municipal action on behaviors impacting coexistence and neighborhood rest.
The Guàrdia Urbana has applied the regulations more selectively, particularly in areas like alcohol consumption, where citations dropped by 62.1% (from 18,015 to 6,830). The reform eliminated previous citation categories to concentrate on behaviors that effectively disrupt coexistence, such as consumption in risk groups or protected zones.
Actions against public urination and defecation have increased by 15.2% (from 2,722 to 3,136), with new aggravated sanctions for performing these acts near establishments or on narrow streets. Citations for spitting have also doubled, from 182 to 363.
Public space littering has seen a 310% increase in citations (from 414 to 1,698), and improper use has risen from 43 to 481 cases. Unauthorized street vending has also increased by 13%, with 4,538 citations, bringing the total related incidents to 17,954.
The Coexistence Office has issued 11,557 sanctions and strengthened its deterrent capacity with higher fines for serious offenses. The discount for voluntary immediate payment has been reduced from 75% to 50%. Concurrently, alternative measures to sanctions have increased by 169.8%, from 96 to 259, to promote accountability.
The ordinance's implementation included training for over 260 municipal professionals and the Mossos d’Esquadra. The establishment of the new Coexistence Office reinforces the municipal model, promoting preventive policies and improving neighborhood coexistence.
