New environmental zones in Spain from 2026: What you need to know

From 1 January 2026, Spain will see a major change: from then on, all municipalities with more than 20,000 inhabitants will be obliged to introduce an environmental zone (ZBE - Zona de Bajas Emisiones). Currently, this is at a minimum of 50,000 inhabitants per municipality. This means that in many more places,...

Where are the new environmental zones coming from? 

Besides large cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, which already have an environmental zone, smaller towns will also introduce environmental zones. Among others: Denia, Llucmajor, Granollers, Rubí, Viladecans, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Reus, Vic and Figueres. 

The rules can vary from municipality to municipality, but generally, vehicles with a low environmental class, such as pre-2006 diesels or Crit’Air 4 and 5, are no longer welcome. 

Foreign environmental stickers: valid in Spain? 

For foreign vehicles, the Spanish environmental sticker itself is not obtainable. Fortunately, environmental stickers from other European countries are accepted in many Spanish ZBEs (Low Emission Zones), including: 

Please note: there are exceptions to Barcelona's low-emission zone. Foreign stickers here not accepted and you must apply for a special permit in advance via this siteThis can take up to 15 days to apply for.  

What if you don't have an environmental sticker? 

Without a valid environmental sticker, you risk a hefty fine of €200 or more in Spain.  

The amounts can quickly add up, especially if you accidentally drive into a zone without realising it. So don't wait too long to apply for your environmental sticker. 

Order your environmental sticker easily from VWE 

At VWE, you can easily [do something] online German and French environmental sticker apply via here: Consumers | VWE, which is also valid in many Spanish cities. Make sure you do this well in advance, as the German environmental sticker is delivered in the same week, while the French environmental sticker takes about 4 weeks. 

VWE is happy to help you prepare thoroughly for crossing the border. This is how to drive through Spain with peace of mind – and avoid nasty surprises on the way. 

Do you have questions about low-emission zones or your vehicle? Please feel free to contact our customer service! Contact | VWE