Motorway Tolls and Vignettes in Spain

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The Spanish motorway network is managed by different companies, with tolls applied on specific routes. Expressways are toll-free. Tolls are generally collected at toll stations on privately operated Autopistas, while the publicly managed Autovías were previously toll-free.

You'll know when you're approaching toll roads in Spain as they're typically marked by a blue motorway sign reading "AP," or "PEAJE" with the distance to the entrance.

As you get closer to a toll booth in Spain, you will see a sign with the costs which are based on the type of vehicle you're driving. Tolls can be paid using a toll tag that can be purchased at Tollwayr. Spain does not use vignettes which are time-based charges, although there are more than 100 cities with Low Emission Zones, including Madrid and Barcelona.

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Understanding Tolls in Spain

Between 1967 and 1975, there were 2,042 km (1,269 mi) of toll highways built by Spain's central government. The toll highway program began as a way to improve and expand the country's highway network as the state could not afford such a significant investment. The government offered up to 50-year contracts to build, finance, and operate the roads while charging vehicles to use them. Now that this period is coming to an end, the contracts the Spanish government had with these private companies are not being renewed.

Currently, there are 1,435 kilometers (891.6 miles) of toll roads across Spain's national highway network. Autovias are toll-free and owned by the state, so there is no charge to drive them. However, the Autopistas are highways managed by private companies requiring drivers to pay tolls for their use.

The Autopistas are reserved for automobile travel, with only vehicles that can sustain at least 60 km per hour (35 mph) allowed to drive them and many are toll roads. The Autovias are typically upgrades from older roads and are always toll-free. Slower vehicles such as agricultural machinery and bicycles can generally use these roads, provided they do not cause a hazard or disrupt traffic.

Spanish Toll Roads on the Autopistas

  • AP-1 Burgos to Armiñón
  • AP-2 Alfajarín to Barcelona
  • AP-4 Dos Hermanas to Cádiz
  • AP-6 Collado Villalba to Adanero
  • AP-7 France A9 to Barcelona to Valencia to Guadiaro
  • AP-8 France A63 to Trapagaran
  • AP-9 Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela to Portugal A3
  • AP-15 Tudela to Pamplona to Irurzun
  • AP-36 Ocaña to La Roda
  • AP-41 Madrid to Toledo
  • AP-46 Alto de las Pedrizas to Málaga
  • AP-51 Villacastín to Ávila
  • AP-53 Santiago de Compostela to Ourense
  • AP-61 San Rafael to Segovia
  • AP-66 Campomanes to La Virgen del Camino
  • AP-68 Bilbao to Zaragoza
  • AP-71 León to Astorga
  • AG-55 A Coruña to Carballo
  • AG-57 Puxeiros to Baiona
  • C-16 Sant Cugat to Manresa
  • C-32 Castelldefels to El Vendrell
  • C-32 Montgat to Palafolls
  • C-33 Barcelona to Montmeló
  • M-12 Madrid to Barajas
  • R-2 Madrid / M-50 to Guadalajara
  • R-3 Madrid / M-40 to Arganda
  • R-4 Madrid / M-50 to Ocana
  • R-5 Madrid / M-40 to Navalcarnero

Toll-Free Road Sections in Spain

Currently, the following stretches of private motorways are toll-free:

  • AP-7: Tarragona - Alicante
  • AP-4: Seville - Cádiz
  • AP-7: Spain/France border crossing/La Jonquera - Tarragona
  • AP-2: Zaragoza - El Vendrell
  • C-32: Barcelona - Lloret de Mar
  • C-33: Barcelona - Montmeló

Part of the motorway ring around Madrid is subject to tolls. In the Balearic and Canary islands, all roads and routes can be driven without paying a toll. On the Spanish mainland, there are no tolls charged on a few sections of private motorways.

Changes on the Spanish toll roads

In 2023 a lot of changes regarding tolls on Spanish motorways were announced. Without setting a definitive deadline, the Government announced it would abolish tolls on most Spanish highways in the future. The main concern is finding alternative funding for road maintenance when motorway tolls are abolished.

Specifically, €9.918 billion is required to address road repairs: €3.261 billion for the national network, which spans 26,400 kilometers, and €6.657 billion for the regional and provincial networks, covering 75,300 kilometers. Securing this €9.918 billion, however, presents a major challenge without implementing tolls or similar fees, as 95 percent of the total is essential for fundamental maintenance, including road replacement and reinforcement.

As of 29 August 2024, the Spanish government is still in talks to determine how construction and maintenance will be funded. One option would be the planned introduction of the EU wide emissions accounting system in 2027. As soon as more information is communicated we will update this page.

Tunnel and Bridge Toll in Spain

There are no bridges with tolls, however, you will have to pay tolls for driving through three tunnels:

  • Vallvidrera Tunnel: € 4.48 (off-peak) to € 5.04 (rush hour)
  • Cadi Tunnel: € 13.92
  • Artxanda Tunnel: € 1.40
Tunnel and Bridge Toll in Spain

Vehicle Categories Subject To Tolls

The toll amount depends on the type of vehicle, the distance traveled, and sometimes the time of day and payment method. Pricing and discounts vary by motorway company and may be based on factors like the vehicle's weight, circulation schedule, or how often it passes through. Tolls are generally higher in the summer.

Most motorway operators distinguish between the vehicle categories "Ligeros" and "Pesados.

Ligeros Motorcycles with or without a sidecar, vehicles with up to 3 axles without twin tires (e.g., cars with or without trailers, motorhomes without twin tires).
Pesados 1 Vehicles with up to 3 axles equipped with twin tires (e.g., cars with trailers that have twin tires, motorhomes with twin tires).
Pesados 2 Vehicles with 4 or more axles (e.g., cars with trailers having 2 or more axles, with at least one axle fitted with twin tires).

Toll Fees

Just like in France and Italy, the Spanish toll is levied based on the vehicle category, the toll road used, and the distance traveled. On some, even the payment method and time of day, such as off-peak compared to peak traffic hours, influence the toll rate. For lighter vehicles like motorcycles and standard cars, the fees are typically lower as compared to heavier ones like buses and trucks.

The cost is an average of approximately 10 euros per 100 kilometers for a standard vehicle. The following are examples for a car (ligeros):

Route Cost for a car (ligeros)
AP-51 Villacastin to Avila (29 km) €1.67
AP-68 Bilbao to Logrono (136 km) €18.70
AP-68 Bilbao to Zaragoza (303 km) €37.73
AP-71 Leon to Astorga (53 km) €5.82

Payment Methods

There are multiple payment methods available for Spain's motorway tolls, including:

  • Cash
  • Most widely accepted debit and credit cards
  • Electronic tolls which are paid using an OBE device like the Bip & Go badge for wireless communication, a product that we sell and ship to ALL EU countries. When you order online or by mail, your Bip&Go badge will be shipped within 48 hours (2 business days). Delivery to an address in France may take up to 5 working days, and up to 10 working days for international addresses.
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Free Flow System in the Basque Country

Since 2022, electronic tolls have been charged on the public A-636 in the Basque Country using a free-flow system, with additional routes expected to follow. To make the payment, the license plate must be registered in advance and linked to a bank card. Alternatively you can use a Toll tag.

How Are Spanish Tolls Checked

Tolls for roadways in Spain are monitored using camera systems and toll stations at their entrances and exits. Manual checks may be done by local police or respective toll authorities, with the camera system primarily used for electronic tolls by comparing the system with vehicle license plates.

There are various consequences for those who do not pay Spanish tolls. If they aren't paid within a certain period, you'll be assessed interest and potentially other fees in addition to the unpaid toll.

Toll Exemptions in Spain

There are some vehicles that are exempt from tolls, according to the Spanish government, including the following:

  • Armed Forces vehicles
  • Fire service vehicles
  • Security Forces and Corps vehicles
  • Ambulances
  • Vehicles involved in civil protection or emergencies
  • Vehicles involved in road inspections and/or toll operations
  • Vehicles involved in the maintenance and operation of equipment for monitoring, managing, and controlling traffic

Vignette for Spanish Environmental Zones

There are 149 cities in Spain that have Low Emission Zones (LEZ) as of January 1, 2024, including all cities with a population of more than 50,000 such as Barcelona and Madrid. Vehicles must be registered to enter the LEZs, or have an environmental badge for Spain that is displayed on the windshield. Alternatively, you can use the French Crit’ Air Sticker, the German Emissions sticker or the Danish Ecosticker to prove your vehicle is eligible to enter the Spanish environmental zones.

FAQs

Do all motorways in Spain require tolls?
Not all motorways in Spain have tolls. Many public roads are toll-free, while tolls are typically applied to vehicles traveling on the country's private motorways.
If you believe you were incorrectly charged, contact the toll operator directly or consult the payment receipt for dispute instructions.
You may be charged the maximum toll fee for the route. Contact the toll station for assistance.
Yes, major foreign credit cards are generally accepted at toll stations.
Some toll roads offer discount plans for frequent users. Check with the specific toll operator for available programs.
In some regions, tolls can be prepaid through a toll box system like Via-T, which is linked to your vehicle. You can use our Bip&Go box to pay the toll.
Yes, by using toll-free public roads (Autovías) or planning routes that bypass toll motorways.
Wait a moment as the system processes your payment. If it doesn’t open, press the help button for assistance.
Some toll operators may offer apps for managing payments, but these are not universally available across all toll roads.
Yes, motorcycles can use toll boxes like Via-T for electronic payments.

Tolls in Neighboring Countries

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