LEZs and congestion charges in Spain

Since January 2023, 149 LEZs have been introduced in major cities, such as Barcelona, Madrid etc., but also all towns with 50,000+ inhabitants.

In Barcelona, it is compulsory to register your vehicle before travelling through the city. You will be granted a long-term permit to drive in Barcelona if your vehicle meets the eco-LEZ requirements. Otherwise, you will need to pay for + apply for occasional access (which is limited to 24 days every year.)

Low Emission Zones are active Monday-Friday, 07:00-20:00. Register online +pay a 7 euro fee. The country uses an emission sticker (Distintivo Ambiental) system to identify compliant vehicles.

1) Distintivo cero emisiones (0) - coloured blue

Battery EVs
EVs w/ extended range
Fuel cell vehicles
Plug-in hybrid EVs - minimum range 40km

2) Distintivo eco - green and blue

Non plug-in hybrid vehicles
Vehicles powered by natural gas
Plug-in hybrid vehicles with a range of less than 40km

3) Distintivo C - coloured green

Passenger cars + light diesel vans (registered from 2014)
Passenger cars + light petrol vans (registered from Jan 2006)
Vehicles with more than 8 seats and heavy, petrol/diesel, registered from 2014

4) Distintivo B - yellow sticker

Passenger cars + light petrol vans (registered from January 2000)
Diesel passenger cars + light vans (registered from January 2006)
Vehicles with more than 8 seats + heavy, petrol/diesel, registered from 2005

Petrol vehicles - must comply w/Euro 3 standard, diesel vehicles w/Euro 4+5. If you enter an LEZ w/ a non-compliant vehicle, or stay longer than permitted, you may be charged a fine of €200

The website below is a common resource for The AA and other motoring organisations guiding you about the new restrictions being implemented in Spain, Portugal and across Europe.

Despite these new changes, there are still many, many areas across the rest of Spain where you should not be affected by these restrictions and simply need to be aware of toll motorways if you wish to avoid them.

https://urbanaccessregulations.eu/countries-mainmenu-147/spain