This took place at today’s plenary session

The City Council’s plenary session held today voted in favour of giving initial approval to next year’s by-laws, maintaining its policy of easing the tax burden on families, businesses and the self-employed in the city throughout 2027. The new tax by-laws provide for a real reduction in all municipal taxes and charges, as they do not apply the 2.3 per cent increase corresponding to last year’s CPI.

The measure represents a continuation of a tax policy developed over the last decade, which has left 34 million euros in the pockets of Fuenlabrada’s residents, thanks to direct reductions in taxes and charges, the decision not to apply CPI-linked increases and various tax relief measures.

Of this amount, 25 million euros relates directly to reductions in property tax (IBI).

The Mayor of Fuenlabrada, Javier Ayala, emphasised that “we have demonstrated over the years that lowering taxes and maintaining sound municipal finances are not incompatible objectives”.

Ayala has emphasised that this policy has been implemented “without compromising on a particularly ambitious social and urban regeneration policy”.

“We have very low debt and, at the same time, we are continuing to make a significant effort in social policies, investment and urban regeneration. Good economic management consists precisely of achieving both: easing the burden on residents and having the resources to improve Fuenlabrada,” he added.

“We have achieved something that is fundamental to us: that the City Council helps families financially whilst continuing to develop the city. We can talk about tax cuts, but also about investment, social policies, new facilities and urban regeneration. All of this is possible because it is underpinned by responsible economic management,” concluded the mayor of Fuenlabrada.

2027: lower tax burden and new incentives

The tax by-laws for 2027 include, in addition to the decision not to index taxes and charges to this year’s CPI, new economic and environmental measures.

Among the new features, the introduction of tax relief for facilities using renewable energy sources such as geothermal and aerothermal energy stands out, expanding the municipal incentives designed to promote energy efficiency and the transition to less polluting systems.

A rebate of up to 50 per cent of the Business Activities Tax (IAE) is also introduced for businesses that increase their workforce by at least 15 per cent, thereby linking municipal tax policy to job creation.

€1.6 million in environmental tax relief

In recent years, Fuenlabrada’s tax policy has used rebates to incentivise behaviour linked to sustainability.

Measures applied to eco-friendly vehicles and the installation of solar panels, amongst others, have enabled residents to receive up to 1.6 million euros in rebates linked to green policies. From 2027, this policy will be expanded to include new incentives for geothermal and aerothermal installations.

€2.4 million in savings on the refuse collection charge

The rebates applied to the waste collection charge have also resulted in direct savings for families in Fuenlabrada. In recent years, these measures have meant that residents have saved almost 2.4 million euros.

Fuenlabrada maintains the lowest waste collection charge amongst the large municipalities in the Community of Madrid, balancing the obligations arising from current regulations with measures designed to limit their impact on households’ finances.

Personalised payment plans have increased 25-fold

Another tool introduced by the City Council to facilitate compliance with tax obligations is personalised payment plans, which allow municipal bills to be spread over 2, 6 or 10 monthly instalments.

The number of bills covered by this scheme has risen from 779 eight years ago to 22,809 today, increasing more than 25-fold.

Furthermore, taxpayers on these schemes benefit from a 5 per cent discount, which has resulted in cumulative savings of approximately 2 million euros.