Environmental zones vehicles in Spain

Environmental zones vehicles in Spain

In Spain, we are also coming to a tightening of standards for emissions from means of transport. Until now, it was only Madrid and Barcelona where there are rules for vehicles that emit exhaust but with the 2023 plan, the government wants to expand these low emission zones.

First of all, your vehicle will have to be equipped with a sticker - an environmental sticker that is clearly visible if you wish to travel in these low emission zones. The Spanish government wants all cities, municipalities and the islands with more than 50,000 inhabitants and/or some with more than 20,000 inhabitants to introduce low emission zones.

As in other countries, at the entry roads to these areas there will be road signs indicating the environmental stickers with which you may enter the areas. Importantly, this sticker is not (yet) available for foreign vehicles. So keep in mind when entering these areas because foreign vehicles will also be subject to these rules. A Danish, German, French or Austrian environmental sticker is also valid in Spain. Those who do not have a valid foreign environmental sticker can apply for a long-term or daily permit.

For vehicles registered in Spain, there are four Spanish environmental stickers (distintivos ambientales):

  • Blue - 0: no emissions.
  • Green-blue - eco: hybrid and gas-powered vehicles that meet the criteria of the green sticker.
  • Green - C: gasoline vehicles registered in 2006 or later; diesel vehicles registered in 2014 or later; vehicles with more than 8 seats and heavy vehicles, both gasoline and diesel, registered in 2014 or later. Gasoline vehicles must meet Euronorm 4, 5 or 6 and diesel vehicles must meet Euronorm 6.
  • Yellow - B: gasoline vehicles registered in 2000-2005; diesel vehicles registered in 2006-2013; vehicles with more than 8 seats and heavy vehicles, both gasoline and diesel, registered in 2005-2013. Gasoline vehicles must meet Euronorm 3 and diesel vehicles must meet Euronorm 4 or 5.

There is no sticker for other vehicles. The stickers can be obtained at Spanish post offices and cost €5.

More info:

For more information, see Spanish government websites:

sede.dgt.gob.es/es/vehiculos/distintivo-ambiental, dgt.es, pegatinas-dgt.com/en/faq.

Info on foreign environmental sticker:

sede.dgt.gob.es/es/vehiculos/distintivo-ambiental/equivalencia-distintivo-ambiental-ue.shtml

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