The Government has not so far refused any renewal of a residence and work permit because the person has not been able to prove the A1 level of Catalanone of the requirements introduced with the Own and official language law. This is what the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Mònica Bonellduring the interview at let’s talk about it from Newspaper TVin which he specified that, today, there has not been any case in which the lack of this certificate has led to the non-renewal of the authorization.
“For the language to be transmitted from generation to generation, it is necessary that it be spoken”
The latest data indicate that 24 people have not passed lA1 exam. Bonellhowever, warned that it cannot be concluded that these people are facing a possible denial of permission, because the Government does not know the administrative situation of each one. They can be residents who do not yet have to face the renewal, self-employed or people who have simply decided to examine themselves.
“We are looking for, in the long term, these people to use Catalan on a day-to-day basis”
The minister argued that theobligation to prove minimum knowledge is having a positive effect on language learning, although he admitted that it will take more time to know if it ends up translating into a real increase in social use. More than 500 people have already approved the level A1 and around 700 have enrolled in the various face-to-face courses. In addition, there are around 400 people signed up for the virtual courses. according to Bonellsince 2024 the number of users of the centers has tripled and during 2025 more than 20,000 were registered. “The data tells us yes”, he affirmed about the effect of the new requirement, although specifying that the ultimate goal is not only to obtain a degree, but Catalan is incorporated into everyday life. “We are looking for, in the medium and long term, these people to also use Catalan in their day-to-day lives”, he pointed out.
“The will of the law is not to sanction, but to instill (…) that it must be attended in Catalan”
Bonellhowever, admitted that there are still establishments, especially in sectors with a lot of staff turnover, where Catalan is not always a reality. Seasonal workers they are not required to accredit a specific levelbut to know a minimum vocabulary related to their workplace. During 2025, Linguistic Policy received 77 complaints for possible breaches of the law, 54% for signage or advertising issues, 17% for tourist or restaurant establishments and 14% for staff dedicated to serving the public. More than half of the complaints – 41 – were resolved after the establishments rectified. only two files ended in sanctionslinked, as he recalled Bonellto the requirements of the restoration letters and with fines exceeding 1,000 euros. This 2026, 45 complaints have been registered so far, with 18 files that have already been resolved by immediate rectification or have been archived, and no penalty has yet been imposedalthough there are open files. Bonell he insisted that the purpose of the rule “is not to sanction”, but to achieve compliance and “inculcate” in the business fabric the idea that Catalan should be served. He also emphasized that, in many cases, businesses correct the deficiencies after receiving the notice from the administration. On the other hand, the minister assured that there is one lack of personnel to carry out the controls once complaints are received. Right now, the department of trade has three technicians to carry out visits and checks to the establishments, a number that, according to Bonellshould be expanded. The minister also spoke about the health sector, in which the Government is preparing a specific campaign to promote a more common use of Catalan among professionals. Bonell he recalled that in the sector one is required level B2 and that workers arriving from abroad have two years to prove it. As he noted, most meet this requirement.
A la carte
Regarding the learning centers, the minister assured that there is currently no waiting list. Linguistic Policy it has 23 teachers and has extended the school hours. Face-to-face courses can sell out, but Bonell stressed that these centers now offer one-on-one learning alternatives.
MORE FACILITIES TO COMBINE THE ARTISTIC WORK
The Government modified theStatus of the artist to make it easier for employees to combine their regular work with an artistic activity. The Minister Mònica Bonell explained that they will be able to register at the CASS amb a contribution lower than that of a self-employed person, maintaining health coverage. The requirement to prove that they can sustain themselves financially with art is also removed: training and experience will be valued. Bonell he remarked that there are more creators who combine two activities than those who live only from art. So far, according to the ministry, 15 people have been taken in.
