As of January 1, 2024, there are 149 cities that have environmental zones, also known as Low Emission Zones (LEZ). Environmental badges are now required for both foreign and domestic vehicles. This follows the approval of the Climate Change Act by the Spanish Congress that required these zones to be implemented by 2023.
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All cities with a population over 50,000, such as Madrid and Barcelona have Spanish Low Emission Zones which require registering your vehicle in advance. To legally drive in these LEZs, a Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) Environmental Sticker, also called an Eco Sticker or Environmental Distinction Badge, is mandatory. The stickers must be displayed on the windshield of your vehicle.
Spoiler Alert! You can use Tollwayr to learn all about it and apply for registration and a sticker for cities in Spain. This makes the entire process quick and easy.
The Spanish Low Emission Zones
The LEZs in Spain are fairly new. Most were rolled out over the course of 2023, although Madrid and Barcelona have had low emission zones since 2022. The environmental badge is used to classify vehicles based on their energy efficiency and impact on the environment. These classifications favor vehicles with the most limited impact on the environment while allowing municipalities to reduce traffic congestion during periods of high pollution. Low-emission zones are only accessible to vehicles that have a valid environmental sticker - a so-called etiquetas medioambientales or distintivo ambiental.
As mentioned, this affects major cities with over 50,000 citizens, such as:
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Alicante
- Valencia
- Seville
- Malaga
- Bilbao
- Granada
- Salamanca
- Cordoba
The LEZ are well-marked. If you see this sign, you will know you are entering a low emission zone.
Types of Spanish Environmental Badges
There are different environmental badge stickers, using various colors to indicate the categories:
| Type of Badge |
Type of Vehicle |
| Zero emissions badge (blue) |
For the most efficient vehicles, including battery, electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles |
| Eco badge (blue/green) |
The second-most efficient vehicles, hybrid and natural gas vehicles. |
| C badge (green) |
Passenger cars and small vans that use petrol and were registered in or after January 2006 |
| B badge (yellow) |
Passenger cars and small vans that use petrol and were registered after January 1, 2001 |
Be aware that there are other rules for driving in Barcelona and Madrid. Keep in mind that ALL foreign cars and foreign license plates must be registered before entering an LEZ in either city.
Rules In Barcelona
Applications can be made to include any type of foreign-registered vehicle in the Register of Authorisations. Vehicles that meet the specific requirements will be granted a long-term permit that allows them to enter the low emission zones in Barcelona.
Owners that do not meet the environmental standards can apply to register their vehicles as foreign vehicles granted occasional access. Up to 24 single-day permits can be used to drive in the LEZs over a period of 12 months. This is also a good option for those who require urgent authorization (sooner than 15 days).
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Rules in Madrid
In Madrid, there are two Special Protection Low Emission Zones, or ZBEDEP. These are called the Distrito Centro and the Plaza Eliptica. Remember all vehicles must be registered to drive in these zones, including foreign vehicles. However, those not registered in the DGT vehicle registry, as can be the case for foreign-registered vehicles, do not have the obligation to display a sticker as they aren't available for foreign-plated cars.
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Buy a Spanish Environmental Badge
As stickers can only be purchased for vehicles with Spanish license plates, the Spanish state has a temporary rule in place to accept foreign environmental badges so you will not be fined. Instead, you can use the following:
The key to compliance is making sure that the category of your vehicle matches the rules of the Spanish cities you plan to drive in.
The cities of Barcelona and Madrid do not accept a foreign environmental sticker. If you plan to drive in either of those you should register your car online.
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Online Registration Barcelona
The zone in Barcelona starts directly after the Spanish A2 motorway exits that runs towards the city. It is possible to register online here to drive in Barcelona's low emission zones If you plan to drive your foreign vehicle here, it must be registered before entering any of the city's LEZs. Keep in mind that the verification process can take up to 15 days. If you need access prior to that, you'll want to choose the option discussed earlier: request authorization for sporadic access, an immediate procedure that allows for up to 24 daily permits over 12 months.
Online Registration Madrid
Like Barcelona, it is possible to register online to drive in Madrid, If you need more urgent authorization (sooner than 15 days), you will want to select the sporadic access option as noted under Barcelona.
Tollwayr can take care of the registration process for € 19,95 per vehicle in both cities.
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Buy it with a Spanish License Plate
If your vehicle has a Spanish license plate you can obtain an emission sticker at a local gestoría, online at the Correos website for €5, or at one of the main Correos offices. If you visit in person, you can download the form and print it out to take with you.
FAQ
To determine if your vehicle qualifies for an environmental sticker, referred to as a DGT sticker in Spain, you need to check your vehicle's emissions category. The DGT has specific categories based on the type and age of the vehicle as per the table we've provided under "Types of Spanish Environmental Badges." That includes:
- Zero Label (blue): For electric vehicles, extended range electric vehicles (REEV), plug-in hybrids with a range of 40 km, and fuel cell vehicles.
- Eco Label (green and blue): For non-rechargeable hybrids, plug-in hybrids with less than 40 km range, and vehicles running on CNG, LNG, or LPG.
- Label C (green): For petrol cars registered from 2006 and diesel vehicles from September 2015.
- Label B (yellow): For older petrol cars and vans from January 2001 to 2005, and diesel vehicles from 2006 to August 2015.
Note that you can check your vehicle's eligibility on the DGT website.
The cost of a DGT environmental sticker is €5. There might be additional delivery fees depending on where you purchase it. If you want your vehicle registered for Barcelona or Madrid the cost is €19.95 at Tollwayr.
Spanish Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are designated areas in cities where access to vehicles is restricted based on their emissions. The goal is to reduce pollution and improve air quality. These zones are mandatory in all municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants and some smaller towns with pollution issues. Vehicles entering these zones must display a DGT environmental sticker that indicates their emissions category.
Yes, you can use your French Crit' Air Sticker temporarily, as well as other recognized foreign environmental stickers (like the German Green Emissions Sticker or the Austrian Environmental Badge) to enter Spanish LEZs. However, it is crucial to ensure that the emissions category of your vehicle corresponds with Spanish regulations for the specific city you plan to visit.
The fine for entering a Spanish LEZ without the appropriate environmental sticker is €200. This is considered a serious traffic offense under Spanish law.
The DGT environmental sticker should be placed on the lower right corner of the windshield when viewed from inside the car. This position ensures that it is visible to authorities and automated systems that monitor entry into LEZs.
The DGT environmental sticker does not have an expiration date; it is valid for the lifetime of the vehicle as long as the vehicle's emissions category remains the same. However, you must ensure that the sticker is not damaged and remains readable.
The registration for Barcelona and Madrid is valid for two years.
Environmental Zones in Neighbouring Countries
Portugal
Andorra
Zero emissions badge (blue)
Eco badge (blue/green)
C badge (green)
B badge (yellow)
Portugal
France
Andorra