Barcelona’s ‘Bonus Consum’ Vouchers Return This Autumn to Boost Local Trade
The Barcelona City Council is set to re-launch its successful ‘Bonus Consum’ voucher campaign this autumn, aiming to inject vitality into local commerce and neighborhood businesses. A total of 4 million euros will be allocated in two phases, with an anticipated economic impact of 12 million euros across nearly 30,000 local service establishments and, for the first time, municipal markets.
Key Dates and Phases
The new edition of the ‘Bonus Consum’ will commence with the start of the new school year in autumn 2026. A second phase is planned for early 2027, following the Christmas and sales seasons. This staggered approach is designed to maximize the impact and reach a wider audience.
How Do the ‘Bonus Consum’ Vouchers Work?
These are shopping vouchers that can be purchased for 10 euros but hold a value of 30 euros. They can be used in participating local businesses for purchases equal to or exceeding 30 euros. The system is designed to prevent individuals from hoarding vouchers, ensuring wider distribution.
The objective is to reach over 60,000 people, with a maximum of up to three vouchers per person in each phase.
Participation System for Consumers:
- First Voucher: Upon registration, individuals can acquire a first ‘Bonus Consum’ voucher, which must be redeemed within two months.
- Second Voucher: If the first voucher is used within the first 15 days, access to a second voucher will be granted. This second voucher will be issued between the first and second month from the program’s start, spreading out consumption. Failure to use the first voucher within this timeframe will forfeit access to a third voucher.
- Third Voucher: If both the first and second vouchers are utilized within the specified timeframes and at establishments within the user’s residential neighborhood, a third ‘Bonus Consum’ voucher will be issued as an incentive for local purchasing.
This procedure will be repeated when the second phase begins in 2027.
Which Businesses Can Join the Initiative?
The City Council is investing 4 million euros into this new ‘Bonus Consum’ campaign. Eligible establishments must meet the following criteria:
- Annual turnover of less than 50 million euros.
- Surface area less than 800 square meters.
- Maximum of 250 employees.
Significantly, for the first time, over 40 municipal markets across the city will be included in the program. Each participating business can exchange a maximum of 1,000 vouchers (with a maximum value of 30,000 euros) to ensure the measure’s impact is distributed widely across the commercial sector.
Excluded Activities:
Certain activities and products are excluded from the campaign to align with public health and ethical guidelines. These include:
- Restaurant services and other non-admitted activities such as dance halls, entertainment venues, gambling establishments.
- Expenses on any product that can create addiction or is harmful to health, such as tobacco or alcoholic beverages.
- Fast-food chains.
- 24-hour shops and services.
- Self-service businesses without staff.
- Vehicle rental services.
- CBD and cannabis-derived product stores, vapes.
- Franchises.
- The purchase of vouchers or gift cards.
Technological Platform and Management
A financial entity, selected through a competitive tender, will be responsible for managing the technological platform. This platform will handle voucher management, fund distribution to participating businesses, ensure traceability and control of all operations, and guarantee compliance with data protection regulations.
Background and Expected Impact
The ‘Bonus Consum’ initiative was first launched at the end of 2021 as a post-pandemic measure to boost the city’s commerce. It received a very positive reception from the commercial sector, with the initial 4 million euros generating an 8 million euro return for establishments. With the improvements implemented in this new edition, the City Council expects to surpass this figure, further strengthening Barcelona’s local economy.
This initiative is part of broader measures promoted within the framework of Barcelona’s European Capital of Local Commerce 2026 designation, highlighting the city’s commitment to supporting its vibrant local business community.
Source: https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/es/los-bonus-consum-volveran-en-otono_1638980.html
