Valencia’s municipal leadership is driving a major modernization by enabling tax payments through a digital service provider that supports instant settlements between parties. Access to the system is available via the city’s official site and it operates automatically, eliminating the need for manual intervention by staff. The move aligns with a broader aim: to offer a smooth, citizen-friendly experience while ensuring public finances stay transparent and efficiently managed. The city emphasizes that this is about delivering a tangible upgrade in public service that residents can feel in real time, without noticing the intricate behind‑the‑scenes work.
During a national roundtable, Valencia highlighted Madrid as a benchmark for the hurdles faced by large councils in payment collection. The message was clear: Valencia demonstrates how municipal teams can push innovation and improve service delivery through smart technology. The comparison implies that Valencia’s model—where technical and operations teams run modernization—can provide a faster, more accessible experience than approaches used by some larger cities, underscoring progress achieved at the local level. This stance resonates with peers who seek scalable, practical solutions rather than top‑down, centralized systems. (Citations: City of Valencia official communications, contemporaneous policy brief, attribution: City of Valencia press materials)
In the most recent week, all municipal taxes, including the Property Tax (IBI), have become payable through Bizum in addition to existing online options. The city also notes that fines can be settled in the future once the new penalty management contract is signed. Officials point out that the current enhancements already cover a broad range of online payments, reducing friction for residents and simplifying interactions with public finances. This expanded payment capability supports a faster cash flow cycle for the city and enhances transparency for taxpayers who can see payments processed automatically and securely. (Citations: Valencia finance committee notes, annual budget briefing, attribution: City of Valencia financial office)
Valencia ranks among Spain’s top three municipalities adopting this system, with smaller towns having implemented similar solutions earlier. The city distinguishes itself by enabling automatic payments without staff intervention, a feature that streamlines workflows and reduces administrative overhead. The Finance Commission also approved the seventh extrajudicial recognition of loans, reflecting ongoing fiscal discipline and responsible debt management. Projections show a total expenditure of around 3.63 million euros under this program for the year, a notable reduction relative to the prior year in the same category. This financial discipline aligns with efforts to modernize processes while preserving fiscal prudence. (Citations: municipal council minutes, finance committee reports, attribution: Valencia City Council records)
The year of reduced non-contractual bills
Officials describe the year as a turning point for Valencia, with a clear goal to curb non-contractual bills and eliminate baggage from old practices. The administration has moved away from mountains of paperwork left waiting for payment and embraced a faster, more reliable payment workflow. The Finance Commission also reviewed the 2023 municipal budget, which is slated for formal approval at the upcoming municipal general assembly. The shift reflects a broader strategy to simplify financial operations for residents while maintaining full transparency and accountability. (Citations: municipal finance update, 2023 budget review, attribution: Valencia City Council financial office)