Taxi licences in Madrid hit €200,000
Taxi licences in Madrid have reached €200,000, an all-time high. A look at profitability, robotaxis and capital gains.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Is it worth paying €200,000 for a taxi licence in Madrid?
The price of taxi licences in the Spanish capital has hit an all-time high, hovering around €200,000. For an entrepreneur looking to enter the sector, that is a staggering barrier to entry. And it keeps climbing. Just two weeks ago, according to an industry source, a two-year-old taxi with its licence could be found for €140,000. The difference is enormous.
Behind this surge is a mix of limited supply and pent-up demand. Madrid City Council keeps a closed number of licences, and the few that come onto the market fetch a premium. Some see it as a safe investment: the value keeps rising. Others, however, view with suspicion the arrival of robotaxis within a decade, which could leave the licence worthless. The debate is wide open.
Meanwhile, taxation also plays its part. What happens if a taxi driver retires and sells the licence for €200,000? Capital gains tax is due, but the exact calculation is a maze. What is clear is that, at these prices, becoming a taxi driver in Madrid today is a luxury few can afford. Or a bet on the future, depending on how you look at it. Because, as the saying goes, you reap what you sow... and those who bought ten years ago should count themselves lucky.
The price of taxi licences in the Spanish capital has hit an all-time high, hovering around €200,000. For an entrepreneur looking to enter the sector, that is a staggering barrier to entry. And it keeps climbing. Just two weeks ago, according to an industry source, a two-year-old taxi with its licence could be found for €140,000. The difference is enormous.
Behind this surge is a mix of limited supply and pent-up demand. Madrid City Council keeps a closed number of licences, and the few that come onto the market fetch a premium. Some see it as a safe investment: the value keeps rising. Others, however, view with suspicion the arrival of robotaxis within a decade, which could leave the licence worthless. The debate is wide open.
Meanwhile, taxation also plays its part. What happens if a taxi driver retires and sells the licence for €200,000? Capital gains tax is due, but the exact calculation is a maze. What is clear is that, at these prices, becoming a taxi driver in Madrid today is a luxury few can afford. Or a bet on the future, depending on how you look at it. Because, as the saying goes, you reap what you sow... and those who bought ten years ago should count themselves lucky.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (46 replies).
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