How foreign vehicles can enter Spain’s Low Emission Zones

Spain’s Low Emission Zones (Zonas de Bajas Emisiones, or ZBEs) aren’t just for locals. If you’re heading to Spain with a foreign-registered vehicle—be it your trusty car from home or a holiday rental—you’ll need to pay close attention to local regulations.

It’s a common misconception that ZBE rules apply only to residents. In reality, foreign vehicles—regardless of whether they’re from the UK, the US, or the EU—must follow the same environmental access requirements. That means registering your vehicle before entering certain urban areas, even if you’re just passing through for a day or two.

Register your car ahead of time

Cities like Barcelona and Madrid take their Low Emission Zones seriously. If you’re bringing a foreign vehicle, you’ll need to register it ahead of time, or risk an automatic fine of at least €200. Enforcement is handled by smart cameras that scan your number plate, and they don’t make exceptions just because you’re on holiday.

Even if your car carries a valid emissions sticker from another country, like France’s Crit’Air or Germany’s Umweltplakette, you still need to register it locally in cities like Barcelona and Madrid to avoid penalties.

While Spain doesn’t issue its own environmental stickers to foreign-registered vehicles, there are still clear steps international drivers can take to stay on the right side of the law.

It’s also worth noting that many cities have already installed ZBE signs and marked zones, even if the enforcement hasn’t started yet. This can cause confusion—just because you see the signs doesn’t mean the zone is actively monitored or fines are in place. Always check whether a city’s ZBE is actually enforced before assuming it applies to you.

No Spanish sticker for foreign plates

The Spanish traffic authority (DGT) does not issue environmental stickers for vehicles registered outside Spain. This means if you’re visiting from abroad, you cannot simply apply for the same label that Spanish vehicles display on their windscreen.

Which foreign stickers are accepted?

Spain recognises emissions stickers from Germany, France, Austria, and Denmark as equivalent to its own. If your vehicle is registered in one of these countries and has a valid emissions sticker, Spanish authorities will typically accept it for ZBE access.

To confirm whether your foreign sticker aligns with Spain’s classification system, you can consult the DGT or reliable sources like n332.es.

Entering Low Emission Zones: Registration required

If you’re planning to drive a foreign-registered car through a Spanish city centre, don’t assume you can just roll in. Many cities now require you to register that vehicle in advance, especially if it’s a tourist hotspot with a Low Emission Zone.

Barcelona, Madrid, and several others already have systems in place. The process isn’t the same everywhere, so it’s a good idea to check the specific rules for your destination before you set off.

Barcelona Low Emission Zone

For example, in Barcelona, the ZBE applies on weekdays from 7am to 8pm. Foreign vehicles must register online at https://zberegistre.ambmobilitat.cat/en/ and pay a €7 fee. You may receive a long-term authorisation if your car meets the required environmental standards. If not, you can apply for temporary access, limited to 10 days per calendar year.

Madrid Low Emission Zone

In Madrid, foreign drivers must request ZBE access at least 20 days in advance by emailing their vehicle documents, proof of emissions classification, and travel details to zbedistritocentro@madrid.es. Madrid does not offer online registration for foreign vehicles.

Cities with ZBEs active or on the way

Here’s an A–Z list of other cities across Spain where ZBEs are either active or on the way, based on information from the Ministry of Ecological Transition. Just bear in mind—some zones are still in testing or haven’t started enforcing rules yet, even if the signs are already in place:

A Coruña – ZBE La Marina – Ciudad Vieja
Almería – ZBE Almería (active)
Alicante – ZBE Alicante (status: delayed)
Benidorm – ZBE Benidorm (active with a transition period for enforcement)
Bilbao – ZBE Bilbao (active)
Cádiz – ZBE Cádiz (planned)
Cartagena – ZBE Cartagena (planned)
Córdoba – ZBE Historic Centre (active)
El Prat de Llobregat – ZBE El Prat (part of Barcelona metropolitan zone)
Estepona – ZBE Estepona (phased introduction until 2026)
Fuengirola – ZBE Fuengirola (planned)
Gijón – ZBE Gijón (planned)
Ibiza – ZBE Ibiza (delayed)
La Línea de la Concepción – ZBE La Línea (active without enforcement)
Málaga – ZBE Málaga (active, but enforcement starts at the end of this year)
Marbella – ZBE Marbella (delayed)
Palma (Mallorca) – ZBE Palma (active, but phased implementation)
amplona – ZBE in the city centre (active without enforcement)
Pontevedra – PMUS do Concello de Pontevedra (in Galician)
Reus – ZBE Reus (planned)
San Sebastián – ZBE San Sebastián (active with enforcement)
Segovia – ZBE Segovia (delayed)
Sevilla – ZBE Isla de la Cartuja actief sinds 1 januari 2023
Torremolinos – ZBE Torremolinos (active)
Tarragona – ZBE Tarragona (active but partly enforced)
Valencia – ZBE Valencia (pre-implementation phase)
Valladolid – ZBE Valladolid (active from July 1, 2025)
Zaragoza – ZBE Historic Centre (active from December 2025)

Although many cities have now launched their low emission zones, others are still catching up. Popular destinations like Tarragona, Reus, Marbella, Alicante, Málaga, Cádiz, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, San Sebastián, and Gijón have faced political or administrative delays. But they’re still legally obliged to roll them out.

Each sity sets its own conditions

Once active, these zones will mostly target older, more polluting vehicles, especially Category A types and foreign cars not formally registered in Spain. Even now, some towns are quietly stepping up checks and preparing to restrict access for cars without Spanish plates.

The legal framework is in place, and it’s only a matter of time before more municipalities comply. Although each city sets its own conditions, the general trend is clear: high-emission vehicles and unregistered foreign cars will face growing limitations, especially in historic centres and high-traffic areas.

If you’re driving a Spanish-registered vehicle, whether it’s your own car or a rental, you may need a DGT environmental sticker (distintivo ambiental) to enter certain Low Emission Zones. These are available for purchase for €5 at Spanish post offices (Correos), as well as authorised garages and online via the DGT portal.

Practical advice for visitors

Plan ahead: Determine if your destination city has a ZBE and whether your vehicle qualifies.
Check your sticker: If you have a recognised emissions sticker, bring the original document and display it clearly.
Register in time: Most cities allow online registration, but processing may take a few days—avoid last-minute applications.
Short visits: If your car doesn’t meet emission standards, look into occasional permits or use public transport within the ZBE.

Final note

As Spain continues to expand its environmental zones, foreign drivers should stay informed and ensure they comply with local rules. Fines for entering a ZBE without permission can be steep, and claiming you didn’t know won’t get you off the hook.

If you know you’ll be visiting specific cities with your foreign-registered car, make time to research their individual ZBE requirements in advance. Don’t rely on signage alone—each municipality has its own rules, timelines, and enforcement plans. Being well-informed before you travel can save you stress, hassle, and a potential fine.

Everything you need to know about the environmental sticker and Low Emission Zones in Spain