# Catalonia AP-7 highway policy and toll debate

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/catalonia-ap-7-highway-policy-debate
> Updated: 2026-08-21T11:23:07.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 3.

In late July 2026, the Catalan government began advancing a new approach to the AP-7 motorway. ERC leader Oriol Junqueras proposed creating a public investment vehicle, the Societat Mercantil d'Inversions de Catalunya, to allow the Generalitat to manage maintenance and capacity-expansion works while the Spanish state retains ownership and financing. Junqueras cited a state audit showing Catalonia received only 8.6% of the 2025 regionalisable investment budget as justification for seeking greater fiscal sovereignty. President Salvador Illa described the proposal as “welcome” but called for a measured debate focused on sustainability, EU environmental directives, and safety.

Simultaneously, the Girona hospitality federation urged the reintroduction of tolls removed in 2021, citing a 40% rise in traffic and an 80% increase in heavy-vehicle traffic, which they link to congestion, accidents, and thefts. 

By late August 2026, the debate shifted toward active policy implementation. Interior Minister Núria Parlon announced that an interdepartmental working group will be established this autumn to evaluate various strategies, including the possibility of returning to a paid toll model. President Illa also suggested that the 2021 decision to eliminate tolls might have been a mistake. 

In the interim, the Catalan Transit Service is deploying a ten-measure shock plan. This includes a mobile application for real-time traffic alerts, AI-driven variable speed systems between Maçanet de la Selva and El Vendrell to predict accidents, new mobile radar units, and increased police inspections of heavy vehicles.

## Claims

- Interior Minister Núria Parlon stated that the debate regarding the return of tolls on the AP-7 is open. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- An interdepartmental working group will be created this autumn to analyze strategies for the AP-7 highway. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- President Salvador Illa suggested that the previous decision to remove tolls may have been a mistake. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Catalan Transit Service is implementing a ten-measure shock plan to address traffic and safety. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A new mobile application will provide real-time voice alerts regarding traffic jams and alternative routes. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- An AI-driven variable speed system will be implemented between Maçanet de la Selva and El Vendrell to predict accidents. (single source)
- Police will increase inspections of heavy vehicles to check maintenance, tachographs, and technical inspections. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-21: Catalan Government considers reinstating AP-7 highway tolls

The Catalan Government is studying the return of tolls on the AP-7 highway to reduce congestion and accidents. A working group will be formed this autumn to evaluate mobility strategies and safety measures.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catalan-government-considers-reinstating-ap-7-highway-tolls

### 2026-07-27: Girona hospitality sector pushes for AP-7 tolls, seeks Catalan staff

Girona’s hospitality sector seeks Catalan‑speaking staff through a language campaign and urges reinstating AP‑7 tolls to curb traffic, accidents and thefts.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/girona-hospitality-sector-pushes-for-ap-7-tolls-seeks-catalan-staff

### 2026-07-25: Catalonia pushes for direct control of AP‑7 highway works

ERC’s Oriol Junqueras proposes a new Catalan investment vehicle to let the Generalitat manage AP‑7 maintenance and expansion, a plan welcomed but urged to be debated calmly by President Salvador Illa.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catalonias-erc-chief-junqueras-seeks-new-investment-body-to-run-ap7-highway-works

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Cite as: Catalonia AP-7 highway policy and toll debate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/catalonia-ap-7-highway-policy-debate