Lorraine Williamson
A new traffic sign is reshaping how drivers navigate Spain’s city centres. From 1 July 2025, motorists could face fines if they miss this crucial change.
A fresh addition to Spanish roads, the R-120 sign now signals the entrance to a low-emission zone (Zona de Bajas Emisiones or ZBE). It’s a stark reminder that access is no longer guaranteed—especially if your vehicle is older or less environmentally friendly.
What does the R-120 sign look like?
The sign itself is hard to miss: a circular white disc bordered in red, with a black car in the centre, overlaid by grey exhaust dots. It’s now officially part of Spain’s traffic code and acts as a prohibition notice for polluting vehicles.
Beneath it, drivers will typically find a smaller panel clarifying which vehicles can still enter. These are often based on the environmental sticker issued by Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT.
Understanding ZBEs: What are they and who do they affect?
ZBEs are designated areas—usually in densely populated city centres—where polluting vehicles are restricted or banned entirely to curb emissions and improve public health.
More than 150 Spanish cities are now required to implement ZBEs under national and EU environmental mandates. While only around a third are fully operational, that number is rising sharply.
Each municipality has the power to tailor its own ZBE rules, guided by the DGT’s vehicle classification scheme. Drivers must display a sticker on the windscreen showing whether their car qualifies as Zero Emissions, ECO, C, or B.
What do the labels mean?
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Cero Emisiones (Blue label): Electric or hydrogen vehicles
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ECO (Green/blue label): Hybrids and gas-powered vehicles
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C label (Green): Petrol cars from 2006+, diesel from 2015+
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B label (Yellow): Petrol cars from 2000–2005, diesel from 2006–2014
Older vehicles without a label are outright banned in most ZBEs.
Cities like Madrid, Bilbao, and Getafe are already rolling out restrictions for B and C label vehicles, with some zones limiting access to ECO and Zero Emission vehicles only.
Where is the R-120 sign already in use?
These are some of the cities where the R-120 is already affecting daily traffic:
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Madrid (Central District): C-label vehicles only allowed if parking in a private garage
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Bilbao: B-label cars banned on weekdays, 7.00 am –8.00 pm
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Getafe: Will prohibit B vehicles in 2026, and C ones from 2027
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Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, San Sebastián: Rolling out phased bans through 2027–2028
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Catalonia region-wide: All ZBEs to ban B-label vehicles from 2028
Meanwhile, Huelva, Las Palmas and Valladolid are drafting similar measures, echoing a nationwide trend of tightening restrictions on older, polluting cars.
Why is Spain cracking down?
The move is part of the European Union’s broader climate agenda, aimed at reducing urban air pollution and greenhouse gases. Spain has committed to enforcing low-emission zones in all cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants.
Automated enforcement is also being ramped up. Cameras linked to the R-120 sign scan licence plates, cross-checking them with the DGT database to instantly verify compliance.
What happens if you ignore the sign?
Entering a ZBE with a non-compliant vehicle now results in a €200 fine—though this can be reduced by 50% if paid promptly. No points are lost on your licence, but repeat offences may invite further scrutiny.
Final check: Could your car be banned?
If you drive a pre-2015 diesel or a petrol car from before 2006, it’s time to check your DGT label. You may already be restricted from entering certain urban zones, or soon will be.
With enforcement expanding rapidly, the R-120 sign is now a firm signal: your next trip into town could come with an unexpected fine if you’re unprepared.