How to know if your car can enter a low emission zone (LEZ)

December 2, 2025

There are more and more low emission zones (LEZs) In Spain: large cities, medium-sized cities, tourist areas… and with them come doubts:

“Can I drive in with my car or will I get a €200 fine?”

In this guide for Gadgeting Car I'll explain it to you, step by step and without technical jargon, How to know if your car can enter a Low Emission Zone (LEZ), What exactly to look for and what online tools you can use before traveling.

What is a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and why does it matter for your car?

The Low Emission Zones These are areas within cities where access is restricted to the most polluting vehicles to improve air quality. They are established under the Climate Change Law, which requires many municipalities (especially those with more than 50,000 inhabitants) to implement them.Ecological Transition Ministry

In practice, this means:

There is cameras reading license plates.
The city council cross-references the data with the DGT.
If your car does not meet the requirements, You might get a serious fine (normally €200).

That's why it's crucial that before entering a new city you make sure two things:

That environmental label has your car.
What specific rules does the ZBE of that city.

Step 1: Check what environmental label your car has

The basis of everything is the DGT environmental labels0, ECO, C, B or no label. These labels classify your car according to how much it pollutes.DGT+1)

How to find out your label in 30 seconds

You have several options:

Consult the DGT online.
- Enter the DGT Electronic Headquarters, in the section “Environmental label inquiry”.
- Enter the tuition and it will tell you exactly which badge you are entitled to (or if you are not entitled to any).
Through other reliable websites
- Many brands (Dacia, Renault, etc.) have tools that consult the same DGT database: you enter the license plate and they tell you the sticker.dacia.es)
Looking at the sticker on the windshield
- If you already ordered it, it's usually stuck on the lower right side of the windshield (passenger side).

Quick summary of DGT labels

0 Emissions (blue): pure electric vehicles, some plug-in hybrids with good electric range.
ECHO: hybrids, plug-in hybrids with less range, gas (LPG/CNG) and similar.
C (green):
- Euro 4, 5 and 6 gasoline (registered approximately from 2006).
- Euro 6 Diesel (from approx. 2015).
B (yellow):
- Euro 3 petrol (since 2000).
- Euro 4 and 5 diesel (since 2006).
No label: petrol vehicles manufactured before 2000 and diesel vehicles manufactured before 2006; these are the most penalized in the ZBE.

Quick idea: If your car doesn't have a sticker, assume that You have a serious problem in most ZBEs.

Step 2: Check if the city has a Low Emission Zone (LEZ)... and where it is located

Knowing your label is good, but Each town hall has its own rules.. Not all ZBEs are the same.

How to know if the place you're going to has a Low Emission Zone (LEZ)

Official map of the MITECO (Government of Spain)
- The Ministry for Ecological Transition has a interactive map with the municipalities required to have a Low Emission Zone and its status (current, in process, pending). Ecological Transition Ministry
- There you can check if the city you're going to ZBE is already active and find official links.
City council website
- Search on Google:
  ZBE + city name
  Examples: “ZBE Madrid”, “Zona de Lémisiones Barcelona”, “ZBE Málaga”…
- The websites are usually called something like “Madrid 360”, “Low Emission Zone + name of the municipality”, etc. Madrid City Council
Motor websites and interactive maps
- Some specialized websites show maps with all active Low Emission Zones, restrictions, schedules, etc. driveris.es

Step 3: Interpret the rules of that ZBE according to your label

Once you know What ZBE is there? and What label do you have?, It's time to cross-reference the data.

In general (note: each city may vary), the logic is usually:

Zero and ECO label
- They usually have full access to the LEZ, with few or no restrictions.RACE)
Label C (green)
- Normally They can enter and circulate, But sometimes only if you park in public or arranged parking, or with certain time restrictions.
Label B (yellow)
- Little by little they are next to be limited:
  - They may only be able to enter if they are residents.
  - Or that they can only access it until a certain year or at certain times.
No label
- In many Low Emission Zones they are already directly prohibited except for very specific exceptions (people with reduced mobility, essential services, etc.).

Real example: Madrid

Madrid has a Low Emission Zone that covers the entire municipality, with areas of special protection.
From 2025, vehicles with an environmental rating of A (without a sticker) have Access and circulation prohibited by the municipality, except in certain cases.

Real-world example: other cities

In cities like Barcelona, Malaga, or other Low Emission Zones, the signs indicate which tags can enter (0, ECO, C, B) and which ones are not.

Step 4: Look at the traffic signs just before entering

Even if you've looked it up online, when you get closer to the city you need to pay attention to:

Specific signal ZBE:
- It is usually a red circle with a car emitting "dots" (symbolizing particles), and below it a sign like "LOW EMISSION ZONE" or "LEZ".
Bottom panel with exceptions:
- It usually says something like “EXCEPT 0, ECO, C, B” or similar.
- That's where you see whether your label is accepted or not.

If your label does not appear on the panel, better Do not enter.

Step 5: Review exceptions and special cases

In addition to the label, almost all ZBEs have exceptions:

Residents within the LEZ (registered there). (zbe.getafe.es)
People with reduced mobility (PMR vehicles).
Emergency vehicles, police, ambulances, essential services…
Professional vehicles (delivery, loading/unloading) with specific permits.
Hotels within the LEZ, which can sometimes handle specific authorizations.

Each city manages it in its own way, so it's always a good idea to check the official website of the ZBE to see:

As Register your enrollment if you are a resident or belong to a group with permission.Madrid 360)
If there is an option to authorized one-off entries (for example, to go to a hospital).

What happens if I enter without permission? Fines and cameras

Entering a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) without meeting the requirements is considered an offense. serious infraction According to the Traffic Law. Normally:

Typical fine: €200 (often reduced to €100 for early payment).
The system usually works with license plate reading cameras connected to the DGT and the municipal register.

It's not like a blue zone where "nothing will happen": here a machine sees you and He doesn't get distracted.

Quick checklist before entering a ZBE (save it)

Before traveling to a city you don't know, make this mini-checklist:

Check your DGT sticker
- At the DGT headquarters, by entering your registration number.DGT Online Office)
Check if the city has a Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
- Google: ZBE + city.
- Or consult the official MITECO map.Ecological Transition Ministry)
Read the specific rules
- What tags are allowed?
- Are there opening hours?
- Does it depend on whether you park on the street or in a parking lot?
Check if you have any exceptions.
- Residents, reduced mobility, work vehicle, etc.
On the road, look out for the ZBE signs
- If your label does not appear in “EXCEPT…”, it is best not to continue.

Quick FAQ: Typical questions about Low Emission Zones and your car

➤ Do I need to physically display the sticker on my car?
In many Low Emission Zones (LEZs), enforcement is done by license plate (not by sticker), but it is recommended wear it visible because some local regulations specify it and it facilitates specific controls.REPSOL)

➤ If my car doesn't have a sticker, can I still request one?
No. If the vehicle does not meet the emissions requirements, the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) does not assign an environmental sticker.DGT Online Office)

➤ Are the rules the same throughout Spain?
No. The law sets the general framework, but Each city council decides the details.Schedules, phases, exceptions, specific penalties… That's why you should always check the city's official website.Community of Madrid)

➤ Can I be fined if I only spent “a moment” there?
Yes. Most cameras simply read the license plate: if you enter and you're not allowed, the infraction is complete, regardless of whether it was only for 30 seconds.