Interior restricts travel and activities in 20 counties due to the INUNCAT emergency

The Department of Interior and Public Safety has activated the Special Emergency Plan for Floods in Catalonia (INUNCAT) in the emergency phase and has imposed restrictions on 20 counties between 8:00 PM on October 3 and 2:00 PM on October 4, 2026. The measure is published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat de Catalunya (DOGC) no. 9764, of October 3, 2026, through Resolution ISP/3537/2026, of October 3, signed by the counselor Núria Parlon Gil (official reference: CVE-DOGC-A-26276001-2026).

The resolution is framed within Law 4/1997, of May 20, on civil protection of Catalonia, and Decree 133/2024, of August 11, determining the scope of competence of the departments. The text argues that the serious risk of flooding, both due to the predicted intensity of the rainfall and the possible accumulation of its effects, makes it necessary to adopt extraordinary measures for the prevention and protection of the population. The regulation takes effect upon its publication in the DOGC and exhausts the administrative route.

Suspension of activities and limitation of travel

The prohibitions and limitations apply to the municipalities of the counties included in section 2 of the resolution:

• Restrict travel that is not essential.
• Suspend activities in the natural environment, urban parks, and gardens.
• Suspend sporting, cultural, leisure, and recreational activities.
• Suspend markets, fairs, and other commercial activities or public gatherings outdoors.
• Suspend any other activity specifically located in a flood-prone area.
• Apply teleworking in all areas where possible.
• Suspend educational and university activity, as well as that of centers affiliated with universities and university research centers.
• Suspend the activity of basic and specialized social services.

The 20 affected counties

The territorial scope of the resolution covers twenty counties, distributed among the districts of Girona, Barcelona, and Tarragona:

• Girona: Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, Garrotxa, Gironès, Pla de l’Estany, Selva, and Ripollès.
• Barcelona: Alt Penedès, Baix Llobregat, Barcelonès, Garraf, Maresme, Vallès Occidental, Vallès Oriental, Osona, and Moianès.
• Tarragona: Alt Camp, Baix Camp, Baix Penedès, and Tarragonès.

Sanctioning regime and appeals

Failure to comply with the limitations, restrictions, and suspensions may lead to the imposition of the sanctions provided for in Law 4/1997 and other responsibilities derived from the current legal system. The resolution also orders the publicity and dissemination of the measure through the communication channels of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Against the resolution, which exhausts the administrative route, interested parties may file:

• An appeal for reconsideration before the Minister of Interior and Public Safety within a period of one month, in accordance with articles 123 and 124 of Law 39/2015, of October 1, and article 77 of Law 26/2010, of August 3.
• A contentious-administrative appeal before the High Court of Justice of Catalonia within a period of two months, in accordance with article 46 of Law 29/1998, of July 13.

The deadlines are counted from the day following the publication in the DOGC.

Impact on the citizenry

The measure directly affects millions of residents, shops, schools, universities, and companies across twenty counties, including the metropolitan areas of Barcelona and Tarragona and the entire coast and interior of Girona. During the eighteen hours of validity, citizens must limit travel to what is essential, prioritize teleworking, and refrain from attending sports, cultural, commercial, and social service activities suspended due to the emergency.

Source: Official Gazette of the Generalitat de Catalunya (DOGC), no. 9764, October 3, 2026, section I, Other provisions (official reference: CVE-DOGC-A-26276001-2026).