Mohammed Adeel wears a white shirt and spotless black shoes, and at 30 he speaks Madrid with a graceful, almost musical accent. He has lived there for less than two years and isn’t interested in leaving. “Freedoms in taxis mean you don’t have a fixed schedule. You can work up to 16 hours and start and end whenever you choose.” He recounts his routine at the opera stop with his brother Muhammed Bilal and a friend, Fermad Masan, before starting their shift.
All three men are Pakistani. The brothers moved to Madrid in the recent past. In June 2021 Madrid adjusted taxi regulations, introducing fixed fees for trips to and from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport and brandishing changes that affected licensing and education requirements. The reform removed article 28.3 d from the 2012 rules and required drivers to hold a high school equivalency certificate (ESO) or an equivalent credential. For qualifications earned abroad, the recognition process could take six to seven months, sometimes deterring new arrivals and delaying their entry into the job market.
As conditions grew more flexible, dozens of Pakistanis arrived in Madrid to drive taxis. Industry insiders estimate the count rose from a handful to more than 250, with roughly 50 already possessing real estate licenses. “They are hardworking, loyal, and genuinely enthusiastic, and their numbers keep growing,” says José Miguel Funez, Head of Communications at the Madrid Taxi Professionals Federation. This phenomenon mirrors a similar trend that has been observed in Barcelona for years, where nearly 2,000 of the city’s 10,500 taxi drivers are Pakistani and where their presence has even spawned local trade associations.
City data show that Pakistanis account for 25% of foreign national taxi drivers holding active cards, numbering 1,084 out of the total 16,886 taxi drivers with licenses. “More and more are coming by word of mouth each month,” comments Adeel, who lived in Valencia with his brother from 2013 until moving to Madrid. “We previously worked in hotels and factories.”
Pakistanis work for both private taxi license holders and fleets, frequently sharing about half of the revenue with the owner. Listings in Milanuncios display numerous opportunities for drivers. “We are our own bosses. The more hours you work, the more you earn, and the earnings are solid here.” Bilal, who favors the night shift like many other workers, adds, “It isn’t like other jobs where you must follow a fixed schedule.”
They are known for their savvy in the industry. They anticipate hotspot areas and flight patterns. “All the programs are understood. You won’t find them in Barajas on Monday; they know the best window is Thursday evening when more flights arrive,” Funez explains. “We maintain a WhatsApp group with people back home. There are over 200 of us. When there is work or whenever there is a checkpoint, we share information.” Adeel notes that pursuing a driver’s license domestically can be expensive and slow: deposits in the bank often require 40% upfront, while obtaining the license can cost between 100,000 and 120,000 euros in advance—an obstacle that pushes many to pay in installments or seek alternative routes.
More Pakistanis are obtaining driver’s licenses, the Taxi Federation reports. “They’re growing,” Funez observes, “because their business model is strong. They are ambitious, respectful of each other, and they save toward opportunities—often celebrating the moment with a party when someone secures a license.” When a license is finally earned, it is common to celebrate with a gathering at Barajas’ T-4, featuring biryani, traditional desserts, and spices that remind everyone of home.
Asked about their experiences driving in Madrid, the trio agrees it is demanding. Traffic can be aggressive, and other drivers may push to advance. They emphasize the need to stay fully alert at all times. Yet they also argue that taking a taxi provides more freedom than rideshare services, despite the higher competition. Bilal notes that some routes offer more opportunities at night, and there are places where stopping or turning around is restricted. Still, taxi work can yield 100–150 euros more per day in certain periods, which is not guaranteed in other roles.
When asked about the most unusual requests, they mention destinations like Valdemingómez or San Cristóbal in Villaverde, areas known for drug activity after dark. They avoid such places at night whenever possible. Overall Madrid, compared to Valencia or Barcelona, remains safer for taxi drivers, and they continue to view the job as a source of autonomy. Adeel smiles as he recalls a moment of tension when someone tried to steal his phone; help arrived within minutes after a quick call to emergency services. The younger colleagues often express a strong desire to prove themselves and to earn trust from their communities, a sentiment shared by the group.
Even as the Federation stresses the importance of uniform appearance, particularly in attire, the rapport between these drivers and their Spanish colleagues holds steady for now. Funez highlights their enthusiasm and ingenuity, noting that some newcomers appear almost from nowhere, yet the act of taking a taxi is a point of pride for them. This positive dynamic contributes to a broader narrative about immigrant entrepreneurship and integration in Madrid, shaping how the city’s taxi ecosystem continues to evolve and expand.