Important information for your holiday in Spain:

by Florian König, maut1.de - 23 July 2024

Travelling on the roads in Spain is usually a relaxed experience: everything is well developed, traffic is limited and the price of petrol is lower than in other European countries. 

To ensure that your journey in Spain is safe and, above all, without any speeding tickets, we have compiled the most important rules and regulations in Spain that you should know before you travel to avoid bringing home any speeding tickets or fines in addition to the souvenirs you want from your holiday.

How fast can you drive in Spain?

* Depending on the type of road: 

• one lane for both directions of travel (without lane markings), side pavements at the same level: 20 km/h. 
• one lane per direction of travel: 30 km/h. 
• Two or more lanes per direction of travel: 50 km/h. Deviating regulations are signposted. 

**The speed limits also apply on motorway-like roads (on Spanish roads: Autovías).

Mobile phone use while driving

Talking on a mobile phone while driving is prohibited if the device has to be held in the hand. The use of mobile phones with the help of hands-free systems is permitted if communication takes place without headphones

Unauthorised phone use costs a fine of 200 euros or more in Spain.

What restrictions are there for entering Spanish low emission zones?

In more and more Spanish cities, there are permanently established low emission zones, so-called ZBE ("Zona de Bajas"/Baixes Emisiones). Further low emission zones are to be introduced in municipalities with over 50,000 inhabitants. In the event of increased air pollution, temporary environmental zones with further restrictions can be activated.

ZBE environmental zones already exist in the Spanish cities of Barcelona, Córdoba, Madrid, Zaragoza and Seville, among others. The environmental zone regulations generally apply from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., in some cases around the clock all year round. 

An overview of the current ZBE in Spain can be found on the website of the "Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenges".

After activation, petrol vehicles with Euro 0-2 emissions standards (first registered before 2000), diesel vehicles Euro 0-3 (first registered before 2006) and motorbikes and mopeds Euro 0-1 (first registered before 2003) are not permitted to enter a "Zona de Bajas". This corresponds to the requirements of the yellow Spanish environmental badge "B". 

In some cases, there are already stricter requirements, the local signage with the currently valid rules should be observed and the emission standards of your own vehicle should be compared with them. For German vehicles, the German green environmental badge is usually sufficient as proof of the authorised emissions class. 

Please note that vehicle registration is required in Barcelona. All "Zona de Bajas" are signposted and monitored by cameras. In some cities such as A Coruña and Pontevedra, however, only residents and delivery vehicles are allowed to enter the "Zona de Bajas".

What other traffic regulations must be observed in Spain?

• Minors up to a height of 135 cm must be secured with an approved child restraint system. Children must always be transported in the rear seat, unless one of the following exceptions applies: 
• there are no rear seats in the vehicle, 
• there are already other minors with a height of less than 135 cm in the rear seat, so there is no space left, 
• the required restraint systems for all children cannot all be installed in the rear seat due to space constraints.
• Warning waistcoats must be carried in the vehicle and worn by all passengers if the vehicle has to be left outside built-up areas in the event of a breakdown or accident. Fines for missing warning waistcoats start at 90 euros.
• Two warning triangles must be carried in all vehicles registered in Spain (e.g. hire cars). In the event of a traffic check, the driver of the vehicle is responsible for carrying the safety equipment  
• Any load exceeding the total vehicle length entered in the vehicle licence must be marked with a red and white hatched warning sign (50 x 50 cm). To avoid a fine, a red and white warning sign should also be present if only a rear carrier (with or without load) is attached, even when folded up.
• The use of a so-called dashcam in the vehicle is permitted as long as data protection is observed and the device is protected from access by unauthorised third parties. 

• In Spain, there is no general winter tyre requirement. If the roads are snow-covered, snow chains may be fitted to vehicles, the maximum speed limit is then only 50 km/h.
• All accidents must be reported to the police. In the event of material damage, the use of the "European Accident Report" is recommended. 
• Towing by private vehicles is prohibited, a breakdown service must be called.

Are speeding tickets from Spain enforced in Germany?

If you do break one of the traffic rules listed in Spain during your trip and receive a speeding ticket, it is best to pay it on the spot or settle it at home after your holiday at the latest. This can be done via the Site of the Spanish road traffic authority 

Tip and special feature in Spain: a discount of 50% on the fine is granted if payment is made within 20 days of notification of the fine or of the penalty being imposed on the spot. 

After the 20 days have expired, a regular period of 45 days begins, during which the full amount of the fine must be paid. This second period should not be exceeded, as the fine will then be forwarded to the tax authorities, who will then collect it with a 20% surcharge on the original amount! 

Fines from other European countries can also be enforced in the traveller's home country. This generally applies to all fines from 70 euros upwards.