012 citizens' hotline services to be extended, operational on weekends from January 2026

Catalonia will extend the operational hours of the 012 citizens' hotline service, also making it operational on weekends, from January 2026.

The presidency minister, Albert Dalmau, made the announcement in an interview with the Catalan News Agency (ACN) in which he defended the need to offer the service "uninterruptedly."

"We are taking an important step forward because it is difficult to understand that 012 is not operational on weekends," he said. "There are many people who, for work or study reasons, need this time slot to carry out procedures," he remarked.

The 012 telephone number line is the citizen assistance and information service from the Catalan Government. It offers general and specialized information on public services, as well as support for administrative procedures, such as tax payments, as well as information on public services such as education, housing, mobility, and culture.

Starting next year, the 012 phone number will be open from 9 am to 8 pm on Saturdays and Sundays that are not public holidays.

The tender to expand the service will have a budget of around €16.78 million. Up to now, around €8 million was dedicated to the service. 

Dalmau explained that the move is part of a package of measures aimed at reforming public administration.