Tourists in holiday hotspot have been warned that they could be left €200 (£174) out of pocket – just for entering the wrong part of town.
UK tourists in Spain who breach 7am to 8pm rule face €200 fine
UK tourists heading to Spain have been warned they could be fined £174 for a little-known driving error. UK tourists heading to the European Union holiday hotspot have been warned that they could be left €200 (£174) out of pocket – just for entering the wrong part of town.
Motoring experts at Number 1 Plates issued a Low Emission Zones (ZBE) warning, saying: “It’s not a suggestion — it’s the law. And British drivers are just as likely to be fined as locals.”
“You could be fined before you’ve even found a parking spot,” Number 1 Plates warned. In Spain, since January 2023, new low-emission zones (LEZ) have been introduced in 149 towns and cities. This concerns the major cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Cordoba, Seville…) but also all towns with more than 50,000 inhabitants.
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Vehicles with French number plates cannot purchase a Spanish sticker. However, the French Crit’air sticker is recognised in Spain. There is therefore no need to buy a Spanish sticker. However, it’s better to check the equivalence between the French classification and the Spanish classification.
Unless your car is registered, approved, or exempt, you risk being slapped with an on-the-spot €200 fine – or £174.
In Barcelona, it is compulsory to register your vehicle before entering the city. If your vehicle meets the environmental criteria set by the city, you will be granted a long-term permit to drive in Barcelona. Otherwise, you will need to apply for occasional access limited to 24 days a year. The LEZ is active Monday to Friday from 7am to 8pm.
You need to register online and pay a fee of 7 euros. Parkers says: “Spain also recently tightened rules on wearing protective clothing and helmets for motorcyclists, so make sure your gear is up to scratch before riding in the country.
“And perhaps it goes without saying, but in Spain they drive on the right – keep that in mind if you’re used to driving in the UK only.
“You’ll certainly want to know speed limits, speeding fines and other rules of the road for driving in Spain, so read on below to find out everything you need.
“Unlike in the UK there are also legally-required items to have in your car, so check the list below and you’ll be covered.”