Quick answer: An official Barcelona taxi is black with a yellow stripe down the doors, carries a roof sign that shows green when free and red when occupied, displays a visible licence number inside, and runs a working meter in plain view. No roof sign or meter means it is not licensed — do not get in, especially near the airport or Sants station.
The Four Things Every Legal Taxi Has
- Black livery with a yellow stripe down the doors
- A roof sign that shows green when free, red when occupied
- A visible licence number inside the vehicle
- A working taximeter, in plain view of passengers
Why It Matters
Unlicensed drivers sometimes approach tourists directly, especially near the airport and major train stations. They are not required to run a meter, are not covered by the same insurance requirements for paying passengers, and there is no accountability if the fare or the ride goes wrong.
What ‘Taxi’ Looks Like in Spanish
The word is the same in Spanish: taxi. Phone-dispatched licensed cabs are often referred to as ‘radio taxi’ — the same official vehicles, just booked by phone rather than hailed or found at a rank.
FAQ
Black with a yellow stripe down the doors.
The roof sign shows green when available, red when occupied.
No — unlicensed drivers are not required to run a meter or carry the same insurance for paying passengers, and there is no accountability if the fare or the ride goes wrong.