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 pick up customers on public roads, wait for hailing passengers, or occupy taxi ranks. However, a passenger who has booked via an app or by direct arrangement can be picked up at an airport or station as normal. In fact, pre-booked airport transfers are one of the sector’s most valuable services — Andalusian operators in the verified network derive a significant proportion of their business from this.
Key points to bear in mind:
- Verifiable pre-booking. The service must be booked in advance and this must be demonstrable (the app booking or the contract serves as your proof in the event of an inspection). Operating on a ‘wait-and-see’ basis is the classic offence in the sector.
- Regional conditions. Following RDL 13/2018, some regions have imposed additional conditions on urban operations — ranging from minimum pre-booking periods to requirements to return to base, depending on the region and the current regulatory framework. These are the kinds of rules that change and are subject to legal challenges: check the regulations for your region with source and date on the regulatory map.
- The physical layout of each facility. Airports and stations organise their drop-off and pick-up areas (express lanes, waiting car parks, meeting points); professional drivers know the logistics of their airport just as well as they know the off-peak times.
- The local area is also a key factor here. Airport pick-ups fall under the general rule that most services are provided within the region of domicile — the details are set out in the 80/20 rule.
For the buyer or investor, the key consideration is asset value: a licence registered in a province with a high-volume airport — Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, the Balearic Islands, Alicante — has that service volume factored into the price, and this is part of the reason why these locations top the index. The specific operational procedures and the penalties for non-compliance are set out in what penalties a private hire vehicle may face.
LAST REVIEWED · Jul 19, 2026 — VTC360 guide: general criteria, not advice for your specific case.