The independence movement in Catalonia: If you walk through Barcelona, you will quickly notice signs of Catalan identity and support for independence. You may see Catalan flags hanging from balconies, posters of Catalan politicians, or yellow ribbons displayed throughout the city. These are not simply decorations. They are symbols connected to a long-running political movement in Catalonia.
Catalonia is an autonomous region in northeastern Spain with its own language, culture and distinct history. For many years, some Catalans have wanted Catalonia to become an independent country rather than remain part of Spain. Others strongly oppose independence and believe Catalonia should remain within Spain. This disagreement has shaped Catalan politics and has led to some of the most significant political conflicts in modern Spain.
But where did this movement come from? Why do some Catalans want independence? And what do the flags, yellow ribbons and other symbols seen throughout Barcelona actually represent?
This article explores the history of the Catalan independence movement, the reasons behind it, and the major political events that have shaped it in recent years.
The Independence Movement in Catalonia
Why Do Some Catalans Want Independence?
There are several reasons why some Catalans support independence from Spain. For many, the issue is connected to Catalonia’s identity, economy and political relationship with the Spanish state.
- Language and culture: Catalonia has its own language, cultural traditions and political history. For some Catalans, these differences have created a strong sense of identity separate from the rest of Spain.
- Economic concerns: Supporters of independence argue that Catalonia pays a large amount of tax to the Spanish state without receiving an equivalent return. They believe an independent Catalonia could retain more of its wealth and invest it within the region.
- Political autonomy: Some Catalans believe that Catalonia should have greater control over its own political and economic affairs. For independence supporters, full independence would provide the greatest level of self-government.
- The monarchy: Spain is a parliamentary monarchy, while many Catalan independence supporters favour a republic. The history of the Spanish monarchy and its connection to the Franco era has also contributed to criticism of the institution among some independence supporters.
- A sense of having the foundations of a country: Some Catalans believe that Catalonia already has many of the characteristics associated with a nation, including its own language, culture, institutions and long history.
Catalan Identity and the Symbols of Independence
The history of Catalonia can still be seen throughout Barcelona today. One of the most visible examples is the use of Catalan flags. You will often see them hanging from balconies, displayed outside buildings or carried during demonstrations and celebrations.
There are three flags that are particularly relevant when discussing Catalan identity and the independence movement:
La Senyera
La Senyera is the traditional Catalan flag. It has a yellow background with four horizontal red stripes. This is the official flag of Catalonia and represents Catalonia itself. It is not specifically an independence flag.
L'Estelada
L’Estelada looks similar to the Senyera, but has an additional triangle on the left-hand side containing a white star. The triangle is usually blue. This is the flag most commonly associated with the Catalan independence movement. When you see this flag, it generally means that the person displaying it supports Catalonia becoming independent from Spain.
L'Estelada Vermella
L’Estelada Vermella is another version of the Estelada. Instead of a blue triangle and white star, it has a red triangle and red star. It is associated with left-wing and socialist supporters of Catalan independence.
The easiest way to remember the difference is:
- La Senyera = Catalan identity
- L’Estelada = Catalan independence
- L’Estelada Vermella = left-wing/socialist Catalan independence
So, if you are walking through Barcelona and see the traditional yellow-and-red flag, it represents Catalonia and Catalan identity. If you see a star and triangle added to the flag, you are looking at an Estelada, which is a symbol of the independence movement.
Yellow Ribbon
Another symbol you will often see is the yellow ribbon. Following the events of the 2017 independence referendum, yellow ribbons became a symbol of solidarity with Catalan politicians and activists who were arrested or imprisoned.
FC Barcelona and Catalan Identity
FC Barcelona is also closely associated with Catalan identity. The football club has long been regarded by many Catalans as more than just a sports team, and its history is closely connected to the culture and politics of Catalonia.
The club’s motto, ‘Més que un club’, means ‘More than a club’. For many Catalans, FC Barcelona has represented Catalan culture and identity, particularly during periods when expressing Catalan identity was more difficult.
The connection can still be seen at matches today. At 17 minutes and 14 seconds of the second half, supporters have traditionally used the moment to chant in support of Catalan independence – Hi ha independència – referring to the year 1714, when Barcelona fell to the forces of Felipe V.
The Historical Roots of Catalan Identity
Long before modern Spain existed in its current form, Catalonia was part of the Crown of Aragon, a political union that included territories such as Catalonia, Aragon, Valencia and the Balearic Islands.
These territories were connected under the same crown but maintained their own institutions, laws and political traditions. This history remains important to modern Catalan nationalism because it provides part of the historical basis for the idea that Catalonia has long had its own political identity.
The relationship changed dramatically at the beginning of the 18th century.
1714: The Fall of Barcelona
In 1701, the War of the Spanish Succession began following the death of Charles II without an heir. Different European powers supported different candidates for the Spanish throne.
The Bourbon candidate, Felipe V, eventually became King of Spain. However, several territories, including Catalonia, opposed him. The conflict eventually reached Catalonia. In 1713, Bourbon forces began their final campaign to bring Catalonia under their control. Barcelona became the centre of the remaining resistance.
On 11 September 1714, Bourbon troops launched their final assault on Barcelona. The city’s defenders resisted, fighting to preserve the political institutions and autonomy they had traditionally enjoyed.
Barcelona eventually fell, bringing the last major resistance to Bourbon rule on mainland Spain to an end. The following year, Bourbon forces also captured the Balearic Islands. The War of the Spanish Succession was formally concluded through the Treaties of Utrecht and Rastatt, consolidating Bourbon rule.
The events of 1714 became an important part of Catalan historical memory. Today, 11 September is celebrated as La Diada, Catalonia’s national day. For supporters of independence, 1714 represents the loss of Catalonia’s historic political institutions and autonomy. It is therefore an important part of the historical story behind the modern independence movement.
The Rise of Catalan Nationalism
After the events of 1714, Catalonia remained part of Spain. Over the following centuries, Catalan identity continued to develop through its language, culture, traditions and history.
During the 19th century, Catalonia experienced major industrial and economic growth. Barcelona became one of Spain’s most important industrial cities, while a cultural movement known as the Renaixença helped revive interest in the Catalan language and culture.
This growing cultural identity eventually developed into a political movement. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, some Catalan politicians and intellectuals were calling for greater political autonomy for Catalonia, rather than complete independence.
Catalonia was granted periods of greater self-government during the early 20th century. In 1932, during the Second Spanish Republic, the Generalitat of Catalonia was restored and Catalonia received a degree of autonomy.
However, this period came to an end with the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). When Franco’s forces won the war in 1939, Catalonia’s autonomy was abolished and the Franco dictatorship began.
Franco and Catalan Identity
The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) ended with the victory of Francisco Franco, who established a military dictatorship that lasted until his death in 1975. Franco’s regime was authoritarian and highly repressive. Political opposition was suppressed, people were imprisoned and executed, and freedoms such as freedom of speech and political organisation were severely restricted.
The dictatorship also promoted a strongly centralised Spanish state and restricted regional identities. In Catalonia, the public use of the Catalan language was particularly restricted during the early years of the dictatorship, including in education, government and other official settings. Catalan political and cultural organisations were also suppressed.
For many Catalans, this period reinforced the importance of protecting their language, culture and regional identity. When Franco died in 1975, Spain began its transition to democracy, and Catalonia regained greater political and cultural autonomy.
The Legacy of Franco and the Civil War
The legacy of the Civil War and Franco’s dictatorship is also still visible in Spain today. Statues, plaques and other symbols associated with the dictatorship are still being removed, while efforts continue to locate, exhume and identify the remains of people who disappeared during the Civil War and dictatorship. Many families are still waiting to find out what happened to relatives who were killed or disappeared.
Barcelona versus Madrid
The legacy of Franco also helps explain some of the political tension between Madrid and Barcelona. Madrid is the capital and the centre of Spain’s national government, while Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and an important centre of Catalan political and cultural life.
For some Catalans, Madrid has historically represented the political centralisation and authority of the Spanish state, while Barcelona has represented Catalan regional identity and demands for greater autonomy.
The Monarchy and Catalan Independence
The monarchy is another part of this debate. Spain is a parliamentary monarchy, while many Catalan independence supporters favour a republic. The monarchy’s history is sometimes viewed critically in Catalonia because Juan Carlos I, the father of the current King Felipe VI, was designated by Franco as his successor. Juan Carlos became king after Franco’s death in 1975 and later played an important role in Spain’s transition to democracy.
For some Catalan independence supporters, however, the monarchy remains associated with Spain’s centralised political past. This is one reason why republicanism and Catalan independence have often been connected within the movement. The experience of the Franco dictatorship, combined with Catalonia’s earlier history and its distinct language and culture, therefore forms an important part of the background to the modern debate over Catalan identity, autonomy and independence.
The Turning Point: 1 October 2017
The modern independence movement reached its most significant turning point in 2017.
On 1 October 2017, the Catalan Government held a referendum on independence. Spain’s Constitutional Court had declared the referendum illegal because it violated the Spanish Constitution.
Despite this ruling, the referendum went ahead. Spanish police forces, including the Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil, were deployed to prevent voting from taking place. Some polling stations were surrounded by police, while others were raided and ballots were seized. The police intervention resulted in clashes and widespread images of violence, creating further tension between supporters of independence and the Spanish Government.
According to the results announced by the Catalan Government, 92% of votes were in favour of independence and 7.9% were against.
The Spanish Government did not recognise the referendum as legal, and the Catalan politicians involved subsequently faced legal consequences. The events of 1 October became a defining moment for both supporters and opponents of Catalan independence.
Who Is Carles Puigdemont?
Carles Puigdemont is a Catalan politician who became one of the most prominent figures in the independence movement. He served as President of the Government of Catalonia from 2016 to 2017. During his time as president, the Catalan Government organised the independence referendum held on 1 October 2017.
Following the events of 2017 and the Spanish Government’s response, Puigdemont left Spain and lived in Belgium for several years. He remained an important figure in the independence movement while living abroad.
His name became particularly important again in 2023, when his political party, JUNTS, became an important part of the negotiations to form Spain’s government. The agreement between JUNTS and Pedro Sánchez’s PSOE included an amnesty for people involved in the Catalan independence movement.
Puigdemont therefore became one of the central figures in the political developments surrounding Catalan independence after 2017.
What Happened After 2017?
The events of 2017 did not end the independence debate. Instead, they created a new political conflict that continued for years. Catalan politicians involved in the referendum were arrested, prosecuted and sentenced. Their supporters organised demonstrations throughout Catalonia, particularly in Barcelona. The yellow ribbon became one of the most recognisable symbols of support for those politicians.
The political situation remained unresolved, and the issue eventually became part of the negotiations surrounding Spain’s 2023 general election.
The Spanish Elections of July 2023
Spain held general elections in July 2023. The elections took place during a period of significant political division. The People’s Party (PP) performed strongly, but neither major political bloc obtained enough seats to form a government on its own. This meant that smaller political parties became important in determining who could form a government. One of the most important of these parties was JUNTS, a Catalan pro-independence party associated with Carles Puigdemont.
Developments in November 2023
In early November 2023, the PSOE party, led by Pedro Sánchez, announced its intention to reach an agreement with JUNTS. PSOE needed the support of JUNTS and other political parties to secure enough votes to form a government following the July general election. The proposed agreement quickly became controversial because JUNTS is a Catalan pro-independence party with connections to the political movement behind the 2017 independence referendum. The referendum had been declared illegal by Spain’s Constitutional Court, making any agreement between the Spanish Government and a party connected to the independence movement particularly sensitive.
PSOE had already faced criticism for its relationship with BILDU, a political party from the Basque region that had historical ties to ETA, a Basque separatist organisation. The proposed agreement with JUNTS therefore added another controversial element to the political situation.
One of the most important parts of the agreement was an amnesty for people involved in the Catalan independence movement, including Carles Puigdemont, who had been one of the key figures behind the 2017 referendum. The proposed amnesty caused widespread outrage among parts of the Spanish population. Some people believed that Pedro Sánchez was making political concessions simply to obtain enough votes to remain in government. Others argued that the agreement was necessary to resolve the political conflict surrounding Catalonia.
Protests were held in cities throughout Spain, including Madrid. Demonstrators accused PSOE and Pedro Sánchez of violating the Spanish Constitution and giving political concessions to the Catalan independence movement. The protests also created tension between demonstrators and police. In some cases, police used stronger crowd-control methods, including batons and rubber bullets. This led to further criticism over whether the police response was necessary.
The controversy also affected the relationship between some Spanish patriots and the institutions they traditionally supported. Some people who would normally be strong supporters of the police and the Spanish Crown began questioning whether their loyalty and support were being reciprocated. The position of the King also became part of this discussion because the King is Spain’s head of state and formally signs laws before they come into force.
Despite the controversy, Pedro Sánchez secured the necessary parliamentary support and was re-elected as Spain’s prime minister on 16 November 2023 for another four-year term.
The Amnesty Law and Its Challenges (2024)
The proposed amnesty became law in May 2024 after being passed by the Spanish Parliament with 177 votes in favour and 172 against.
The law was intended to provide amnesty for people involved in the 2017 Catalan independence referendum, including Puigdemont and other separatist leaders.
However, the law faced legal challenges. Spain’s Supreme Court rejected the amnesty for Puigdemont and other Catalan separatists charged with embezzlement, arguing that these charges were outside the scope of the law. This created a confrontation between the Spanish Government and the judiciary over how the amnesty should be applied.
The May 2024 Catalan Elections
The Catalan elections held on 12 May 2024 marked another important moment for the independence movement. For the first time since the 2017 referendum, the pro-independence parties lost their combined majority in the Catalan Parliament. The Socialists emerged as the clear winners, increasing their number of seats from 33 to 42. The result suggested that the political landscape of Catalonia was changing. Many voters appeared increasingly focused on issues of governance and stability rather than continuing the constitutional conflict over independence.
Carles Puigdemont's Brief Return to Barcelona
In August 2024, Carles Puigdemont made a dramatic return to Barcelona after almost seven years living in exile in Belgium. Despite an active arrest warrant, he appeared publicly at the Arc de Triomf, where he addressed thousands of supporters before disappearing again.
What happened next created almost as much controversy as his return. Puigdemont was expected to be arrested, yet he managed to leave the area before police could detain him. The Catalan police, the Mossos d’Esquadra, launched a major search operation, but Puigdemont had already escaped Spain and returned to Belgium. He later confirmed that avoiding arrest had been part of the plan.
The circumstances surrounding his escape raised many questions. Why was he able to appear publicly in the centre of Barcelona when police knew he was wanted? Why was he not arrested immediately? The Mossos initially said that they had planned to arrest him at the most appropriate moment in order to avoid public disorder, while Spain’s Supreme Court maintained that the arrest order was clear.
The incident also led to an investigation into whether some Mossos officers had helped Puigdemont escape. In 2024, the police acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the operation. In July 2026, a Barcelona judge reopened the case and formally processed three Mossos officers over allegations that they had helped facilitate his escape. The officers have not been found guilty, but the investigation shows that questions about what happened that day remain unresolved.
Puigdemont is still outside Spain in 2026.
The Current State of the Independence Movement (2026)
Since the 2024 Catalan elections, the independence movement has been going through a period of change. The parties supporting independence lost their combined majority in the Catalan Parliament, weakening their political position compared with the years following the 2017 referendum.
However, the independence movement has not disappeared. Recent polling in 2026 suggests that support for independence has increased again, showing that the issue remains important to a large part of the Catalan population. At the same time, more people still oppose independence than support it.
The amnesty law has also continued to influence the political situation. The law was intended to provide amnesty for people involved in the events surrounding the 2017 independence movement, including Carles Puigdemont and other Catalan separatists. However, its application has faced legal challenges, meaning that the events of 2017 continue to have consequences today.
Economic concerns also remain part of the debate. Some Catalans believe that independence would allow Catalonia to keep more of its wealth and make its own economic decisions. Others remain concerned about the possible economic uncertainty that independence could create.
The Catalan Language in 2026
Part of the Catalan independence movement comes from the desire to preserve the Catalan language and culture. For many supporters, Catalan is an important part of what makes Catalonia distinct from the rest of Spain, and protecting the language is therefore closely connected to protecting Catalan identity.
In 2026, there is increased focus on preserving and promoting the Catalan language. More resources are being made available for people to learn Catalan, including programmes for migrants and newcomers to Catalonia. There are also official language examinations for those who want to demonstrate their level of Catalan.
This focus extends beyond government programmes. Young people are also taking part in and creating initiatives to encourage others to learn and use Catalan, particularly through social and informal activities.
The increased attention to the language therefore forms another part of the wider debate surrounding Catalan identity and the independence movement.
What Happens Next?
The debate over Catalonia’s future is still ongoing. The question of independence has never completely disappeared from Catalan politics or from everyday life in Barcelona. You can still see it in the streets through flags, posters, yellow ribbons and other symbols, while the subject continues to be discussed among Catalans themselves.
The movement has also come in waves. At some moments, independence has been at the centre of political life and attracted huge demonstrations and international attention. At other times, the issue has become quieter and less visible. Even during these quieter periods, however, the question remains in the background.
For now, there is no clear answer to what will happen next. Independence remains an important part of Catalan politics, while others continue to support Catalonia remaining part of Spain. What is clear is that the discussion over Catalonia’s identity, language, autonomy and relationship with Spain is not over.
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