Nail Salons Surge in Barcelona

Beauty Sector Grows by Nearly 60%

Barcelona has seen a near 60% increase in beauty centres since 2014, with 1,880 now operating across the city, according to the 2024 Census of Ground-Floor Commercial Premises by Barcelona City Council. Of these, almost 400 specialise in manicure and pedicure services, making up one in four beauty businesses. The rise reflects a broader trend in personal care as lifestyle, said Sílvia Giralt, president of the Gremi d'Estètica de Catalunya. She attributes the growth to increasing public interest in aesthetics "as a lifestyle" and the affordability of nail services.

District Growth Led by l'Eixample

The district of l'Eixample has seen the most dramatic expansion, doubling its number of beauty centres from 260 in 2016 to 509 in 2024. Sarrià-Sant Gervasi follows with 247 nail salons, an increase of around 80 since 2016. Sant Martí, while third in total count, is second in growth, rising from 117 to over 200 establishments. No district now has fewer than 100 such businesses. Gràcia reports 165 active salons, Ciutat Vella 145, and Nou Barris, the area with the fewest, has 106.

Regulation Introduced in Ciutat Vella

In July 2024, Barcelona City Council suspended new licenses for nail salons, cannabis shops, and phone accessory stores in the Ciutat Vella district for one year, extendable by another. The measure, published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Barcelona, aims to prevent commercial monoculture focused on tourism.

The aim is to maintain the economic stability of the local community,

the council stated, noting the policy forms part of a broader review of municipal activity regulations.

Licensing Changes and Oversight

Prior to the suspension, nail salons were not a distinct category in licensing and were grouped under general beauty salons. After the ban in Ciutat Vella, the council created a specific category for manicure and pedicure salons. According to council data, 33 new nail salons opened across Barcelona between July 2024 and June 2025, despite the restrictions. The highest number of new permits were issued in l'Eixample (7), followed by Sarrià-Sant Gervasi (5), and Gràcia, Horta-Guinardó, and Sants-Montjuïc (4 each). The Fundació Barcelona Comerç warns that excessive concentration of similar businesses risks undermining commercial diversity. Its president, Pròsper Puig, calls for swift administrative action to ensure licensed activities match actual operations. Giralt of the Gremi d'Estètica de Catalunya advises customers to choose certified, trusted salons.