What it is
Proposal to toughen penalties for repeat theft and fraud offenders
It is a members’ bill. Introduced by parliamentary groups, the Senate, regional governments or citizens. It was introduced on 7 November 2025. Introduced by: Senado.
Official title: Private member's bill for an Organic Law amending Organic Law 10/1995, of November 23, on the Penal Code, regarding multiple recidivism in the crimes of theft and fraud.
Source: Congreso de los Diputados, file 124/000037· updated 11 Nov
Automatic summary, not yet reviewed
- The bill would amend the Criminal Code so that convictions for minor theft and fraud offenses can again count as prior records in repeat offender cases, something the Supreme Court struck down in 2017 and 2019.
- It adjusts penalties to keep them proportionate: if the repeat offenses are all minor, a lower-degree penalty applies for theft, or the basic penalty for fraud.
- It adds a new aggravated circumstance: if the stolen items are electronic or tech devices that may contain personal data, theft carries a higher penalty.
- It also changes the rules on repeat offending, sentencing and suspended sentences to fit these new cases.
Who it affects
- People with multiple prior convictions for theft or fraud, even minor ones: They could face tougher prison sentences if they offend again.
- Retailers and the commercial distribution sector: The bill aims to reduce losses from theft, which the text puts at 1,800 million euros a year.
- Owners of farms and livestock operations: The reform seeks to address thefts they suffer on their properties.
- Users of public transport, tourist areas and shops: The goal is to reduce the feeling of insecurity in these spaces.
Words worth knowing
- Multirreincidencia
- Committing a new offense when the person already has several prior convictions.
- Delito leve
- A minor offense, punished with light penalties such as fines.
- Ejecutoriamente
- When a conviction is final and can no longer be appealed.
- Pena inferior en grado
- A penalty one step lower than the one set for the offense.
- Receptación
- Receiving or benefiting from items known to come from a crime.
It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries
Where it stands
How far did it get?
It took 3 of 7 steps. It reached Amendments, and today it is unfinished.
- Introduced7 November 2025Someone registers the text in the Congreso.
- Admitted18 November 2025The Bureau of the Congreso accepts it and, for a members’ bill, the plenary decides whether to consider it.
- Amendments21 November 2025Groups propose changes.
- Committeenot reachedA committee goes through the text in detail.
- Plenarynot reachedAll 350 deputies vote.
- Senatenot reachedThe Senate can pass it, amend it or veto it.
- BOEnot reachedIt is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and comes into force.
See the 5 official steps on a timeline
Was there a plenary vote?
We have no plenary vote linked to this law in the Congreso’s data.
What happens next
What happens now?
The legislature ended before it finished. To go on, someone would have to introduce it again in the new Cortes.
It has not been presented again yet.
The same initiative in the other chamber:
Sources
Where does all this come from?
- Congreso de los Diputados, file 124/000037
Official title, type, author, dates and stage.
Retrieved 11 November 2026
- Congreso de los Diputados, procedure
The date of each step, with its official wording.
Retrieved 12 November 2026
- The data comes from the open files of the Congreso, the Senate and the BOE, unaltered.
- Each deputy’s province is the one of their seat on the day of the vote.
- We only say “passed” or “rejected” when the majority needed is certain; otherwise we say which side had more votes.