The Government approves the Draft Law on the Statute of Rural Municipalities
The Government has given the green light to the Draft Law on the Statute of Rural Municipalities, a legal framework that seeks to respond to the needs and singularities of the rural world. This new statute will enter into force once it is approved by Parliament during the next legislature. The main objective of this law is to guarantee the establishment of people living in rural municipalities and to ensure access to services under equal conditions with urban municipalities.
Measures to strengthen repopulation
The Bill includes several measures to encourage the repopulation of rural municipalities. Among these measures stand out the proposals for tax deductions for moving residence to a rural municipality or for the purchase or rental of a home in these areas. A reduction in the tax on property transfers and an increase in aid to the Local Cooperation Fund of Catalonia have also been planned.
Administrative simplification and support for entrepreneurs
The Bill also contemplates the creation of a single portal to simplify and streamline administrative procedures for rural municipalities. In addition, a rural housing exchange will be established to facilitate access to housing in these areas. An aid package will also be included for entrepreneurs and the self-employed who decide to settle in rural municipalities.
Definition of rural municipality
The Bill establishes the definition of a rural municipality as one that has less than 2,000 inhabitants, is located in a rural county and has a density of less than 150 inhabitants per square kilometer. In addition, special consideration is foreseen for municipalities with less than 500 inhabitants, with a density of less than 12.5 inhabitants per square kilometer, which will be identified as municipalities of special attention.
