Where are the Spanish Low Emission Zones in Spain? What towns require a Zonas de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE) sticker in Span? Where can I buy a ZBE sticker for Spain? When is ZBE coming into force across Spain during 2023. Do UK vehicles need to display a ZBE sticker?
Spain is applying ZBE zone control to 149 Spanish towns and cities. All have populations of over 50,000 people, and each city council is choosing how it implements the zones. Street signs will indicate which vehicles are permitted and where.
ZBE stickers are available for Spanish vehicles only, and it is not compulsory to display category stickers. Vehicles registered outside of Spain, cannot obtain a sticker. If you really want a sticker, you could try obtaining one from a Spanish Post Office for €5, however, you could be fined €200 if you display a incorrect category sticker.
UK registered vehicles cannot obtain and do not need to display an environmental/low emission zone sticker in Spain. You do need to know which category your vehicle falls into to ensure you do not drive in streets/zones that your vehicle is not allowed. Driving in areas that excludes your vehicle could result in a fine.
Most motorhomes fall into the following categories as detailed on Direccion General de Trafico, website:
C, Green: Internal combustion vehicles that comply with the latest EURO emissions. …light gasoline vans registered from January 2006 and diesel from September 2015 will be entitled to this sticker. Vehicles with more than 8 seats, excluding the driver, and heavy vehicles, both gasoline and diesel, registered since 2014.
B, Yellow: Internal combustion vehicles that, although they do not comply with the latest EURO emission specifications, do comply with previous ones. Passenger cars and light gasoline vans registered since January 1, 2001 and diesel from 2006 will be entitled to this label. Vehicles with more than 8 seats and heavy vehicles, both gasoline and diesel, registered since 2006.
All other vehicles, the 50% most polluting, are not entitled to any type of badge as they do not meet the requirements to be labelled as a clean vehicle.
For more information visit www.dgt.es/nuestros-servicios/tu-vehiculo/tus-vehiculos/distintivo-ambiental/
You can also check your vehicle against other European environmental badges you have www.dgt.es/muevete-con-seguridad/viaja-seguro/conduce-en-el-extranjero/
For more information on Low Emission Zones across other European countries including France and Germany see Vicarious blog Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in Europe.
Travelling to Spain in a motorhome? Take All the Aires Spain and Portugal and Michelin Spain and Portugal road atlas with you.
About the Author
Meli has been traveling to Spain by motorhome since 2004 and has a in-depth knowledge of Spain. She would advise anyone travelling to Spain by motorhome or camper van to use the motorhome stopovers listed in All the Aires Spain and Portugal, more information about motorhome Aires can be found here.
