Barcelona has become a focal point of the sex trade in Europe, with an estimated worth of billions annually. The city ranks as the third largest sex market globally, following Thailand and Puerto Rico. Prostitution is legal in Spain, although soliciting in public spaces is prohibited. In the Catalonia region, where Barcelona is situated, enforcement of this law is notably lax, allowing the sex trade to flourish.
In response to governmental efforts to criminalize prostitution, sex workers in Barcelona have organized under the banner of Stop Abolicion. This advocacy group argues for their rights, citing Spain’s law on bodily autonomy. One of its members, Pamela, a 40-year-old sex worker, expressed her opposition to the proposed legislative changes. She stated, “Nobody has the right to police my body,” emphasizing that such measures would undermine her autonomy and potentially worsen working conditions.
Approximately 300,000 sex workers operate across Spain, with the highest concentration in Barcelona. Here, women engage in various forms of sex work, including brothels, street solicitation, and private apartments. Within the city, megabrothels, particularly in the Sants-Montjuic neighborhood, showcase up to 20 women to a single client. Prices for services can reach £114 for half an hour and £190 for a full hour.
Concerns about exploitation and trafficking have arisen, particularly in areas like Raval, which is close to popular tourist destinations such as Las Ramblas. In this district, underage girls are reportedly drawn into the sex industry, with prices as low as £4 for oral sex and £18 for a brief encounter. Many women in this sector are believed to be victims of trafficking, originating from Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, often subjected to abuse by pimps.
Nuria Gonzalez Lopez, a human rights lawyer and abolitionist, has highlighted the issue of sexual tourism in Barcelona. She remarked, “The problem is, prostitution in the Raval area has turned Barcelona into a sexual tourism destination — and sexual tourism of all kinds.” Gonzalez Lopez noted that online forums frequently promote Barcelona as a cheap and accessible destination for sexual experiences, contributing to the city’s reputation as a center for the exploitation of vulnerable women.
As Barcelona grapples with these complex issues, the ongoing debate around the legalization and regulation of prostitution continues to evoke strong opinions from both advocates and critics. The situation remains dynamic, reflecting broader societal attitudes toward sex work and women’s rights in Spain.
