"Ventanilla" is the industry slang term for the possibility of obtaining new private hire vehicle licences by applying to the authorities. It is effectively closed across almost all of Spain because the regulations allow new licences to be refused when the ratio of one ride-hailing vehicle for every 30 taxis is exceeded — and that ratio is exceeded practically throughout the whole country.
You can see these statuses on the regulatory map on VTC360, each with its source and date:
- Closed: new applications are refused due to the ratio; actual access to the market is via the secondary market.
- Restricted: there are additional regional conditions that make operation or transfer more difficult.
- Under legal review: there are significant ongoing legal disputes whose outcome could shake up the local landscape.
- Open: exceptional; specific windows of opportunity that have historically been short-lived.
Could it reopen? The 2023 CJEU ruling requires restrictions to be better justified and maintains pressure for greater supply; but today, the practical route in remains buying an existing licence — which is why [the marketplace] (/licencias-vtc) exists. If you’re planning to apply and take the matter to court, be prepared for a lengthy process and seek specialist advice: we explain it plainly at new licences.
LAST REVIEWED · Jul 19, 2026 — VTC360 guide: general criteria, not advice for your specific case.