Catalan Government Expands Citizen Service Offices

The Catalan Government has outlined a clear strategy to enhance public accessibility. The administration is extending the network of Oficinas de Atención Ciudadana (OAC). This initiative serves as a cornerstone of the government's administrative reform efforts. The primary objective is to ensure that all citizens have access to a single point for their public transactions.

The expansion builds directly on a model launched in Tarragona one year ago. This pilot program established a 'single window' framework. It allows citizens to complete various bureaucratic tasks in one location. By replicating this model, the government aims to standardize service delivery across different territories.

The timeline for this rollout is defined and ambitious. The government aims to have eleven integral attention points fully operational by the end of the current mandate in 2027. This represents a significant increase in physical infrastructure dedicated to citizen services.

At the heart of this administrative reform is the concept of the ventanilla única, or single window. This approach is described as the 'cornerstone' of the government's plan to modernize public administration. It simplifies the interaction between the state and the individual by removing the need to visit multiple offices for different procedures.

The implementation of this system is designed to offer a comprehensive service. Citizens can expect to handle a wide range of administrative needs in one place. This centralized approach is expected to reduce processing times and improve overall user satisfaction. The OAC network is the physical manifestation of this digital and administrative strategy.

By consolidating services, the government hopes to create a more efficient and transparent bureaucracy. The goal is to offer the exact same level of service in every office, ensuring equity for residents in all parts of Catalunya.

The expansion of the OAC network involves significant logistical planning. The government has committed to specific staffing levels to ensure these offices function effectively. The plan includes hiring a total of 162 employees to staff the eleven locations.

The immediate focus is on the upcoming year. The schedule calls for the opening of four new offices in 2026. This step is critical to reaching the target of eleven offices before the mandate concludes in 2027. The allocation of resources indicates a substantial investment in human capital to support the physical infrastructure.

These operational details highlight the scale of the project. It is not merely about opening new buildings, but about populating them with the necessary personnel. This ensures that the promise of a 'single window' is backed by adequate support for the public.

The expansion of the Oficinas de Atención Ciudadana represents a long-term commitment to administrative modernization. By the end of 2027, the network aims to be fully established. This will provide a consistent and reliable service framework for the entire population of Catalunya.

The initiative reflects a broader trend toward simplifying government services. The success of the Tarragona model has paved the way for this regional rollout. As the project progresses through 2026 and into 2027, the focus will remain on maintaining high standards of service across all new locations.

Ultimately, this project aims to bridge the gap between administrative complexity and citizen needs. By offering a centralized, single-window service, the Catalan Government seeks to make public procedures more accessible and user-friendly for everyone.