Alan, I've lived on the Costa del Sol for 36 years. When we arrived here my wife, (Spanish), had a good job in 1 of the 2 real estate agents in Sotogrande and I was trying to establish a computer repair business (which I did). Meanwhile I needed some income so the estate agency where my wife worked got me to do some airport runs for their clients. The local taxi drivers went bananas. One threatened me with a knife.
On one occasion I was stopped by the Guardia Civil Tráfico (motorbike cops) close to Sotogrande. I spoke Spanish, so I explained to them what I was doing, I had 2 elderly British ladies in the back, clients of the estate agents, and I was taking them to Málaga airport. They asked how much I was charging them to which I replied 'nothing', they were travelling free, courtesy of the estate agents.
The Guardia took them into the nearest GC office which was about 500metres away and came back with a statement, in Spanish, signed by the 2 ladies saying I was charging them .... whatever. The ladies did not speak Spanish and nobody in the Guardia spoke English. I was subsequently fined 200,000 Pesetas. Luckily for me the estate agent paid the fine.
On a subsequent trip to Málaga I went into the office of Tráfico, a big black skyscraper, found the right person, and asked the simple question 'if I own a business and have all the required licences am I allowed to transport my clients to and from the airport, railway station etc.' The lady said 'YES', definitely.
I was told 2 things, firstly the principal business of the company could not be to transport people, and secondly I should not expect the taxi drivers to accept that I had a right to transport my own clients. 'But the law says I can' 'YES, but don't expect the taxi drivers to agree'.
To this day it's still like that, Hotels that use a courtesy bus frequently get hassle from taxi drivers.
As someone else has said, 'this is Spain' If YOU can find a business that needs transport for its clients and you can do a deal with them that is a good way to start but make sure you never receive payment from the passengers, and make sure the business is kosher.
Quite frequently i had to transport more people than would fit in my car, so I got to know a couple of taxi drivers who would help me out. We did the airport run together, the taxi and me and that protected me from hassle to some extent.
I feel there are easier ways of earning a living than doing airport runs.
This message was last edited by ehw on 04/01/2019.