Every question about the VTC asset, answered.

What exactly is a VTC licence?

A VTC licence is an administrative authorisation for the hire of vehicles with a driver, regulated by the LOTT (Law 16/1987) and its implementing…

How does a private hire vehicle licence differ from a taxi licence?

Both are authorised to carry passengers in passenger cars, but the regulations differ in almost every other respect: Booking. Taxis can pick up…

Why are VTC licences bought and sold?

Because it is still the fast track. From 2024, the authorities will no longer be able to refuse a new licence solely on the basis of the 1/30 ratio —…

What does it mean for a licence to be ‘endorsed’, and why does it matter?

The validation is the periodic review (generally every two years) through which the authorities check that the licence continues to meet the…

Does the VTC licence expire? Renewal and reinstatement

A VTC licence does not expire due to age: it does not have an expiry date like a driving licence. What it does have is a periodic review — the…

How do I check a private hire licence in the official register?

You can check this for yourself, free of charge: transport licences — including private hire vehicle licences — are listed in the Ministry of…

How much does a VTC licence cost in Spain?

It depends on the region more than on any other factor. Based on the VTC360 index for July 2026: Balearic Islands: around €198,000 — the most…

What are the fixed costs involved in holding a private hire vehicle licence?

It is advisable to keep the asset separate from the business. The licence itself is inexpensive to maintain: periodic renewal fees and little else.…

Apart from the price, how much does the transfer itself cost?

The licence fee is the biggest expense, but not the only one. You should also budget for: Transfer taxes. Depending on who is selling: VAT (21 per…

How much does a private hire licence cost in Madrid?

The VTC360 index puts the price of a VTC licence in Madrid at around €145,500 in July 2026, with an approximate range of €135,000–€156,000 and a…

How much does a private hire licence cost in Barcelona?

The VTC360 index puts the cost of a private hire licence in Barcelona at around €92,064 in July 2026, with an approximate range of €85,600–€98,500…

How much does a private hire licence cost in Málaga and Andalusia?

Málaga ranks third in the index VTC360: in July 2026, the licence is valued at around €67,952 (range €63,200–€72,700, n=21), with a year-on-year…

How much does it cost to rent a VTC licence per month?

On the VTC360 marketplace, advertised and agreed rents currently range from €1,500 to €2,200 per month (July 2026), with the province being the most…

How much does insurance for a private hire vehicle cost?

Quite a bit more than that of a private car, because it is not the same product: a ride-hailing vehicle requires a passenger transport policy for…

What do I need to purchase a VTC licence?

Less than most people think. A VTC licence may be obtained by either an individual or a company, provided that the applicant meets the general…

What sort of vehicle do I need to operate a private hire vehicle?

The licence is used with a vehicle assigned to it, and the specific conditions are set by each autonomous community in accordance with national…

Should I buy as a self-employed person or set up a company?

Both approaches are valid and the market uses both; the choice is based on tax and asset considerations rather than administrative ones: Individual…

What is transport manager training and who needs it?

Professional transport training (the ‘transport manager’ qualification) is the official examination that certifies competence to run a transport…

Which car is best suited for private hire in 2026?

The right car for ride-hailing in 2026 is chosen based on four criteria, none of which is the make: emissions label, total cost per kilometre,…

Where can a private hire vehicle operate? The 80/20 rule

In principle, a VTC licence authorises the provision of services throughout the country. However, there is one caveat: the regulations require that…

Can I own a private hire vehicle without driving it myself?

Yes, and it’s a growing part of the market. There are three models, ranging from the most to the least involvement: Hiring a salaried driver. You…

What happens if I leave the licence unused?

An inactive licence is an asset that loses value through three channels: Administrative risk. The licence must continue to meet its requirements…

Can I hire a private hire licence to use myself?

Yes. It’s the same licence agreement that exists from the owner’s perspective, but seen from your point of view: you pay a monthly rent to the…

Is it legal to lease a private hire licence? Contract requirements

Yes, the transfer of the right to operate under a private hire licence in exchange for rent is a legal and widespread practice — it forms the basis…

How much does a private hire licence generate per month?

It depends on the city, operating hours and vehicle model. Actual figures from 2026, to help gauge expectations: Revenue per vehicle on the platform.…

How much income does leasing a private hire licence generate?

On the VTC360 marketplace, advertised and agreed rents currently range from €1,500 to €2,200 per month depending on the province: Seville at the…

Is a private hire licence a good investment in 2026?

Honest answer: it might be, and it might not be — it depends on the entry price, the market and your investment thesis. The facts on the table: Pros.…

What is the ‘VTC360 guaranteed rental income’?

This is the highest level on the certainty scale: a licence sold with a guaranteed minimum rental contract from a verified operator on the VTC360…

Taxis or ride-hailing services: which is the better investment in 2026?

The short and uncomfortable answer: only one of the two can be purchased using publicly available data — and that asymmetry should weigh just as…

What happens if my tenant stops paying the rent?

Firstly, to ease your mind: you won’t lose the property. The licence remains yours; what’s at stake in the event of non-payment is rent and time, not…

What taxes do I pay when buying a VTC licence?

It depends on who is selling and how the transaction is structured. The general overview: The seller is a business owner or practising professional…

What taxes do I have to pay when I sell my licence?

The tax liability on the sale depends on how you hold the asset: Individual. The difference between the cost of the licence (plus any investments and…

How is the income taxed if I lease out my licence?

The leasing of a private hire vehicle licence involves the transfer of a right in return for consideration, and this has two tax implications: VAT.…

Is VAT or vehicle registration tax payable on the purchase of a VTC licence?

The rule of thumb can be summed up in a single line: if you’re buying from a business owner or a practising professional, VAT applies; if you’re…

Can I write off the VTC licence in my accounts?

Yes. A purchased VTC licence is an intangible fixed asset — an operating right with a documented acquisition cost — and as such it is amortised. It…

How is the sale taxed if the licence is held by a limited liability company (S.L.)?

When holding a licence through a company, there are two ways to sell it, and they are taxed differently. Choosing the structure before negotiating —…

What is ‘la ventanilla’ and why is it closed?

"Ventanilla" is the industry slang term for the possibility of obtaining new private hire vehicle licences by applying to the authorities. It is…

Is the 1:30 ratio legal? What the CJEU and the Supreme Court said

Short answer regarding 2026: it can no longer be applied automatically. The process has two milestones. The CJEU, 8 June 2023 (Case C-50/21, Prestige…

What is the situation regarding ride-hailing services in the Balearic Islands?

The Balearic Islands are Spain’s most expensive ride-hailing market: the VTC360 index puts the figure at around €198,000 in July 2026 — higher than…

What specific regulations apply to Barcelona and its metropolitan area?

Barcelona is the most litigated ride-hailing market in Spain. Building on national legislation, the Catalan Government and the Barcelona Metropolitan…

What is Madrid’s urban planning authorisation and what does it change?

Ever since Royal Decree-Law 13/2018 transferred the regulation of urban transport services to the autonomous communities, Madrid has developed its…

What is the situation regarding ride-hailing services in the Valencian Community?

The Valencian Community is the long-distance ride-hailing market of the Mediterranean arc: growing demand for ride-hailing platforms in Valencia and…

What is the situation regarding ride-hailing services in the Canary Islands?

The Canary Islands is a ride-hailing market with its own rules and its own demand — and it is worth stating both points with equal clarity. Demand:…

Can a private hire vehicle pick up passengers at airports and railway stations?

Yes — provided the service has been booked in advance. That is the whole rule, and also the key distinction from taxis: ride-hailing services cannot…

What penalties can a private hire vehicle accumulate, and how much do they cost?

Penalties for private hire vehicles are set out in the LOTT and its regulations, which classify offences as minor, serious and very serious — with…

How many VTC licences are there in Spain (and in my province)?

The honest answer starts with the source: the official figure is held in the Ministry of Transport’s register of authorisations, which publishes…

What does a driver need to work for a ride-hailing service?

Fewer formal requirements than is commonly believed, and more practical demands than it seems: A valid Category B driving licence. The former BTP…

How much does a private hire driver earn?

In large cities, a full-time ride-hailing driver typically earns a net income of €1,300–1,700 per month, depending on the city, working hours,…

How long does it take to transfer a private hire licence?

Through the traditional route, between 4 and 8 weeks — and with a real risk of it not arriving. Three things eat into the timetable: problems being…

What is the ‘VTC360’ escrow service?

This is the standard process for buying and selling on VTC360: six fixed stages with the money held in escrow until ownership is transferred. Dossier…

How can I avoid scams and unpleasant surprises when buying a licence?

Problems in this market almost always give warning signs. Red flags that should make you stop in your tracks: A price well below the provincial index…

How do you transfer a VTC licence, step by step?

The transfer of a VTC licence is, in essence, a change of ownership of the authorisation registered with the autonomous community’s transport…

What documentation is required to transfer ownership of a private hire vehicle?

The transfer file consists of three sections, and there is one golden rule: submit it complete the first time, or you’ll have to come back to rectify…

How long does it take for each regional government to register a change of ownership?

The honest answer: there is no single timeframe or official comparison table — each transport authority operates according to its own timetable,…

Can I finance the purchase of a VTC licence?

It is possible, but not in the same way as a mortgage: banks do not treat a VTC licence as a convenient form of security — it is a regulated…

Can you buy a VTC licence if you have debts or your assets have been seized?

It is possible — the problem is buying it without realising. A private hire licence may be subject to administrative seizures, and the licence…

Can I buy a VTC licence as a foreign national?

Yes. There is no nationality restriction on VTC licences: the regulations require that the purchaser — whether an individual or a company — meets the…

Can you buy VTC licence packs? Are they cheaper?

Yes, the ‘pack’ is an established market format — on the VTC360 marketplace, each listing specifies its format: individual, business or pack — and…

Can I sell a licence that has just been granted? Restrictions on transferability

If your licence is a new grant, hold off before publishing it: transport regulations have imposed a restriction on transferability — generally two…

What happens to the private hire licence if the licence holder dies?

The licence does not lapse upon the death of its holder: transport regulations provide for transfer mortis causa, and the heirs may retain the…