Catalonia votes to move forward with independence
Catalonia's regional assembly has begun an 18-month countdown that could see it break away from Spain.
The declaration won backing from a majority in the regional parliament.
The resolution read: "The Catalan parliament will adopt the necessary measures to start this democratic process of massive, sustained and peaceful disconnection from the Spanish state."
The latest vote comes as a result of an election in September that saw separatists win a majority of seats in the assembly.
Catalonia is one of Spain’s wealthiest regions, making up 20 per cent of the country’s GDP, but accounting for just 16 per cent of the population.
Austerity measures over recent years increased support for the separatist movement.
The Spanish constitution however does not permit any region to secede, which has worsened the relationship with the central government in Madrid.
Mariano Rajoy, Spain's center-right prime minister, said his government would appeal to the Constitutional Court to invalidate the declaration.