The non-payment of traffic fines has become a structural problem that affects a significant portion of drivers in Catalonia. More than a third of the sanctions imposed during the last three years have not been paid voluntarily.
Between 2023 and 2025, the Catalan Traffic Service processed more than 4.3 million sanctioning files. Of that total volume, only about 2.8 million were paid within the established deadline.
The outstanding amounts are automatically transferred to the executive route managed by the Tax Agency of Catalonia.
Tarragona leads the delinquency ranking
The geography of non-compliance shows notable differences between territories. The regions of Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre register the highest percentages of unpaid fines.
Lérida presents the lowest levels of this negative statistic. Almost seven out of ten drivers in the province pay the fines on time and in full.
Residents abroad avoid payment
The origin of the driver largely determines the probability of settling the debt. Those domiciled abroad keep more than half of their fines unpaid.
"In a few years, the percentage of defaults exceeds 60% for this group" - Catalan Traffic Service
This figure is much higher than that of drivers residing in the Spanish State. The administration tries to alleviate this gap by sending notifications in the language of the offenders.
Sometimes the notices arrive directly from their countries of origin. Despite these measures, physical and legal distance continues to hinder the effective collection of sanctions.