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Decentralization of powers

Explore all the different sectors where municipalities and parishes are shouldering responsibilities as part of the decentralisation of powers.

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Important note

Data regarding the decentralization of competences of municipalities is being updated. We are working to ensure that information is available as soon as possible.

Greater proximity to citizens

Decentralising powers from the central administration to the municipalities has the main objective of providing local authorities with all the instruments they need to help solve the population's main problems in an agile and effective way.

As analysis indicators within this context, the total expenditure in each of the thematic areas should be taken as a benchmark, as well as the related expenditure and the amounts transferred from the central administration to the municipalities.

Thematic areas of

decentralisation of powers

Municipalities that have already taken

powers

thousand Parishes that have already taken over

powers

Areas of decentralization of powers

Indicators by thematic areas

57 of 201 Municipalities

Central Administration Transfers

Data from 2021
12 of 57 Municipalities

Current expenditure

Data from 2021
14 of 57 Municipalities

Own revenue

Data from 2021
0 of 57 Municipalities
Source DGAL, INE
11.03.2022

What does the decentralization of powers to the municipalities imply?

Health

The municipality entrusted with the operational and financial management of the health centres provided to the population in its geographical area, specifically the maintenance, upkeep and management of equipment and logistic support services, as well as the management of the workers inserted in the career of an operational assistant.

Decentralization at the national level

Chart
Areas of decentralization of powers
Values of 2022
Values of 2022 in detail
Health
Education
Housing
Culture
Citizen Assistance
Heritage
Justice
Communication routes
Port areas
Beaches
Inland waterway transport
Protected areas co-management
Civil protection
Social work
Community policing
Fire safety
Public car parking
Afforestation and re-afforestation
Gambling
Fire brigade associations

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

57 of 201 Municipalities

Amount available for the Health power

93 million €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

3 million €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

0 €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Health area

10,4 million €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

125 of 278 Municipalities

Value available for the Education competency

934 million €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

247,9 million €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

10,6 million €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Education area

276,8 million €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

8 of 10 Municipalities

Amount available for the Housing competency

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

0 €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Housing area

4,4 thousand €
Total amount spent
Note

In 2021, for the areas of Culture, Housing, and Port Areas, municipalities that, while having accepted the power, have not yet fulfilled all the required formalities (deed of transfer, establishment of a commission) were not considered.

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

56 of 63 Municipalities

Value available for the Culture competency

1,2 million €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

122,8 thousand €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Culture area

228,2 thousand €
Total amount spent
Note

In 2021, for the areas of Culture, Housing, and Port Areas, municipalities that, while having accepted the power, have not yet fulfilled all the required formalities (deed of transfer, establishment of a commission) were not considered.

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

278 of 278 Municipalities

Value available for the Citizen Assistance competency

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

3,8 thousand €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Citizen Assistance area

165 thousand €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

278 of 278 Municipalities

Value available for the Patrimony competency

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

0 €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Patrimony area

1,3 thousand €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

278 of 278 Municipalities

Amount available for the Justice competency

0 €
Total amount available

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

243 of 243 Municipalities

Value available for the Communications competency

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

1,4 thousand €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Communications area

22 thousand €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

57 of 58 Municipalities

Value available for the Port Areas competency

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

0 €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Port areas area

7,6 thousand €
Total amount spent
Note

In 2021, for the areas of Culture, Housing, and Port Areas, municipalities that, while having accepted the power, have not yet fulfilled all the required formalities (deed of transfer, establishment of a commission) were not considered.

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

121 of 121 Municipalities

Value available for the Beaches competence

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

503,7 thousand €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Beaches area

1,3 million €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

127 of 256 Municipalities

Available value for the Waterway Transport competency interiors

0 €
Total amount available

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

67 of 67 Municipalities

Value available for the competence of Protected areas co-management

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

0 €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the area Protected areas co-management

10,1 thousand €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

278 of 278 Municipalities

Amount available for the Civil protection competence

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

450 €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Civil protection area

579,4 thousand €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

0 of 278 Municipalities

Value available for the Social work competency

56,1 million €
Total amount available
Important note

In Social work, the deadline for municipalities to submit an assessment of their figures is still underway, hence this area was not considered for the purposes of accounting the acceptance of powers.

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

278 of 278 Municipalities

Value available for the Proximity Policing competency

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

110,2 thousand €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the area of Proximity Policing

36,5 thousand €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

278 of 278 Municipalities

Value available for the Fire Safety competency

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

66 €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Fire Safety area

12,3 thousand €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

278 of 278 Municipalities

Value available for the Public Parking competency

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

117,2 thousand €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

825,5 thousand €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Public Parking area

308,2 thousand €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

278 of 278 Municipalities

Value available for the Afforestation and Reforestation competency

0 €
Total amount available

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

278 of 278 Municipalities

Amount available for the Games of fortune competency

0 €
Total amount available

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

0 €
Total amount transferred

Total amount of own revenue

0 €
Total amount of own revenue

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Games of fortune area

12,3 thousand €
Total amount spent

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

269 of 269 Municipalities

Value available for the competence of Firefighters Associations

0 €
Total amount available
  • Health 5 Values of 2022
  • Education 5 Values of 2022
  • Housing 5 Values of 2022
  • Culture 5 Values of 2022
  • Citizen Assistance 5 Values of 2022
  • Heritage 5 Values of 2022
  • Justice 2 Values of 2022
  • Communication routes 5 Values of 2022
  • Port areas 5 Values of 2022
  • Beaches 5 Values of 2022
  • Inland waterway transport 2 Values of 2022
  • Protected areas co-management 5 Values of 2022
  • Civil protection 5 Values of 2022
  • Social work 2 Values of 2022
  • Community policing 5 Values of 2022
  • Fire safety 5 Values of 2022
  • Public car parking 5 Values of 2022
  • Afforestation and re-afforestation 2 Values of 2022
  • Gambling 5 Values of 2022
  • Fire brigade associations 2 Values of 2022
Source DGAL, INE
11.03.2022

Decentralization at the national level

Table
Areas of decentralization of powers Values of 2022 Amount
Health
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Amount available for the Health power
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Health area
Education
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Education competency
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Education area
Housing
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Amount available for the Housing competency
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Housing area
Culture
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Culture competency
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Culture area
Citizen Assistance
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Citizen Assistance competency
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Citizen Assistance area
Heritage
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Patrimony competency
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Patrimony area
Justice
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Amount available for the Justice competency
Communication routes
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Communications competency
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Communications area
Port areas
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Port Areas competency
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Port areas area
Beaches
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Beaches competence
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Beaches area
Inland waterway transport
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Available value for the Waterway Transport competency interiors
Protected areas co-management
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the competence of Protected areas co-management
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the area Protected areas co-management
Civil protection
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Amount available for the Civil protection competence
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Civil protection area
Social work
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Social work competency
Community policing
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Proximity Policing competency
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the area of Proximity Policing
Fire safety
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Fire Safety competency
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Fire Safety area
Public car parking
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Public Parking competency
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Public Parking area
Afforestation and re-afforestation
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the Afforestation and Reforestation competency
Gambling
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Amount available for the Games of fortune competency
Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities
Total amount of own revenue
Amount spent by Municipalities in the Games of fortune area
Fire brigade associations
Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power
Value available for the competence of Firefighters Associations

Decentralization at the national level

Table

Areas of decentralization of powers

Health

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Amount available for the Health power

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Health area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Education

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Education competency

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Education area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Housing

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Amount available for the Housing competency

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Housing area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Culture

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Culture competency

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Culture area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Citizen Assistance

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Citizen Assistance competency

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Citizen Assistance area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Heritage

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Patrimony competency

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Patrimony area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Justice

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Amount available for the Justice competency

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Communication routes

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Communications competency

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Communications area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Port areas

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Port Areas competency

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Port areas area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Beaches

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Beaches competence

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Beaches area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Inland waterway transport

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Available value for the Waterway Transport competency interiors

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Protected areas co-management

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the competence of Protected areas co-management

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the area Protected areas co-management

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Civil protection

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Amount available for the Civil protection competence

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Civil protection area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Social work

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Social work competency

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Community policing

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Proximity Policing competency

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the area of Proximity Policing

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Fire safety

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Fire Safety competency

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Fire Safety area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Public car parking

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Public Parking competency

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Public Parking area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Afforestation and re-afforestation

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the Afforestation and Reforestation competency

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Gambling

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Amount available for the Games of fortune competency

Amount

Amount

Amount allocated by the Central Administration to Municipalities

Amount

Amount

Total amount of own revenue

Amount

Amount

Amount spent by Municipalities in the Games of fortune area

Amount

Areas of decentralization of powers

Fire brigade associations

Amount

Percentage of Municipalities that have already accepted the power

Amount

Amount

Value available for the competence of Firefighters Associations

Amount

Source DGAL, INE
11.03.2022

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Strengthening parish powers

Such decentralisation of powers requires a redistribution of responsibilities between local authorities, bearing in mind that parishes are the local bodies closest to the citizens. Reinforcing the different powers granted to parishes involves several areas that fall within the legal jurisdiction of municipalities, such as the management and maintenance of green areas, the cleaning of roads and public spaces, gutters and drains, the day-to-day management and upkeep of fairs and markets, the undertaking of minor repairs and the maintenance of the surrounding areas in pre-school and primary school establishments, among others.

Municipalities that decentralize powers

106 of 278 Municipalities

Parishes exercising powers

1041 of 2882 Parishes

Source DGAL, INE
11.03.2022