British tourists who are planning to head abroad to Spain in the coming weeks have been issued a reminder that they could be slapped with hefty fines if they break current road rules, even if they do so unknowingly. Sunseekers 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 have issued a warning to holidaymakers planning to drive in cities like Barcelona, the capital of Madrid, or Seville, where new Low Emission Zones (ZBE) are catching tourists off-guard and racking up instant fines. These ZBEs have been introduced across the country to tackle pollution in busy urban centres. “It’s not a suggestion — it’s the law,” said the experts. “And British drivers are just as likely to be fined as locals.”
These zones are clearly marked with signs – look for “ZBE” and “R-120” – and unless your car is registered, approved, or exempt, you risk being slapped with an on-the-spot €200 fine.
Most worrying is that many drivers do not even realise they have done anything wrong until they are pulled over or see the charge show up from their hire car company days later.
“You could be fined before you’ve even found a parking spot,” Number 1 Plates warned.
To comply with Spanish law, you must have a few things before entering any major city. These include an environmental badge, called a “distinctive ambiental”, that goes on your windscreen and shows the level of emissions your vehicle produces.
Holidaymakers will also need a digital permit, required in some cities and available from local government websites, and a plan, because these zones are expanding and new restrictions can be added with little warning.
The fine applies to UK-plated vehicles too. Even if you are driving a rental car, you are still responsible for making sure it complies with ZBE rules.
Currently, the most heavily policed zones include Barcelona, where the ZBE Rondes covers much of the city between the Ronda de Dalt and Ronda Litoral, Madrid, with multiple zones including the tight Distrito Centro low emission area, as well as Seville, Valencia and Bilbao also enforcing restrictions. More cities are set to add zones throughout this year.
Luckily, the rookie error can be easily avoided. Stickers cost just a few euros, and digital permits are often free – you just need to apply at least 48 hours in advance. Number 1 Plates also recommends keeping proof of purchase and confirmation emails on your phone in case cameras stop you or flag you down.
“It’s cheaper than sunscreen,” said Number 1 Plates, “and far less painful”.