Low Emission Zone Calendar in Spain: Key Dates by City and What You Should Know Before Driving

December 3, 2025

The Low Emission Zones (LEZs) They are no longer something of the future: they are here, they are expanding every year, and many Spanish cities have started or will soon start to fine to the most polluting vehicles.

In another Gadgeting Car article, we'll tell you step by step. How to know if your car can enter a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) (according to its DGT label and the rules of each city).

In this guide we're going to a different topic so as not to overlap with that content: here we're focusing on the calendar, that is to say, when Restrictions and fines begin by city and what you should check before getting behind the wheel.

First of all: how the ZBE calendar works in Spain

The Climate Change Law requires cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants to have an established Low Emission Zone, but Each city council decides its own calendar:

It usually starts with a information phase (no fines, only warnings).mobility.valencia.es)
Then comes the sanctioning phase, with fines of around 200 € for entering without meeting the requirements.Cadenaser.com)
In many cases, the calendar goes tightening restrictions in stages:
1. First, the following are prohibited: vehicles without sticker (the oldest). (madrid.es)
2. Further on, there are limits for those who label B, and even for some of the diesel C in some municipalities. (carengine.com)

That's why it's not enough to know what sticker your car has: you need to know which year and which phase It is in effect in the city you are going to.

Where to see the official dates for your city

Instead of going town hall by town hall, there are a couple of very useful resources:

Interactive map of the MITECO (Ministry for Ecological Transition)
- It displays the active ZBEs, their extent, and, most importantly, a table with restrictions, exceptions and implementation schedule for each city, with links to the official regulations.Ministry for Ecological Transition)
Specialized portals in ZBE
- Websites such as Eco Cities or motor guides collect maps, regulations and effective dates from many cities in one place.ecociudades.es)
Website of the town hall itself
- Google ZBE + city name and always look for the official mobility or environment section, where there is usually an "Implementation Schedule" or similar section.race.es)

Below I've included a summary of key dates for several important cities for your quick reference.

Madrid: goodbye to cars without stickers from 2025

In Madrid, the ZBE affects the entire municipality and it has been rolled out in phases (M30, city center…) until reaching a key point:

From January 1, 2025:
- HE prohibits access and circulation of all vehicles with Environmental classification A (no label) on all public roads within the municipality of Madrid.
2025–2026:
- Vehicles with labels B, C, ECO and 0 They can continue to circulate, with special conditions in the Special Protection Low Emission Zone (Center, Plaza Elíptica) where you can often only enter freely with 0 and ECO, and with C or B if you park in an authorized parking lot.

What to do if you're driving to Madrid

Check if your car has some label (If you don't have one, you can't drive in the municipality).
Check the "How it affects me" section of Madrid 360, where, depending on your sticker, it explains the access and parking conditions.Madrid 360)

Barcelona: Restrictions already in place and a countdown to the B label

The Barcelona Ring Roads Low Emission Zone It has been underway for several years and already has a defined schedule for the coming years:

For vehicles without environmental badge:
- Permanent ban on traffic in the Low Emission Zone on weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.Barcelona Metropolitan Area)
For vehicles with B label (mainly older diesel engines):
- The calendar anticipates a withdrawal progressive between 2026 and 2028.
- First restrictive phase: January 1, 2026 (stronger restrictions during pollution episodes).
- Total ban for many vehicles with B label: January 1, 2028, according to the municipal calendar and summaries from specialized media.

Council for Barcelona

If you have a car with label B, Start planning for alternatives for 2026–2028. If your car It has no label, In practice, you already have very limited circulation during working hours.

Valencia: end of the testing phase and a strong start in 2026

The Valencia Low Emission Zone has had a phased implementation:

Ordinance with information phase Initially, there were no fines, and drivers were only warned.
According to the latest updates from 2026:
- It begins sanctioning phase, with fines for vehicles that enter without complying with environmental conditions.

The Valencian calendar distinguishes several years with different rules for cars without labels, B, C, ECO and 0, so it is especially important to check the official table.

What to look out for if you're driving to Valencia

The ordinance regulating the ZBE (on the city council's mobility website).mobility.valencia.es)
The dates for each phase and which labels are left out each year.
If you have a professional vehicle or a vehicle belonging to a resident of the area, the previous records what needs to be done.

Malaga: fines from December 2025

In Malaga, the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has followed a similar model: an initial phase without penalties and then the entry into force of the fines:

From November 2024: Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in operation, but without sanctions.
From December 1, 2025:
- The beginnings fines of €200 to vehicles that do not meet the environmental requirements to circulate in the center.
- In the first phase, access is permitted to vehicles with label B until November 2026.
- From that date onwards, the municipal intention is to only allow vehicles with C, ECO or 0, in addition to essential services and registered exceptions.

Council for Malaga

If your car It has no label, Malaga city centre is going to be complicated from December 2025 onwards.
If you have label B, Mark the deadline clearly on your calendar. November 2026.

Getafe, Pamplona and other cities in progress

Many medium-sized cities are now adjusting their schedules:

Getafe (Community of Madrid)

It maintains during all through 2026 the first phase of its ZBE, without yet moving to the strictest restrictions.Cadena SER
At the moment:
- Residents can access with any vehicle.
- Non-residents: only ECO, Zero and C labels; those of label B only if they go to a parking lot.

Pamplona

The ZBE of Old Town plans to begin the sanctioning phase on January 1, 2026.
Residents will need register your registration to avoid automatic penalties with the cameras.Digital Confidential)

And the rest of the cities…

According to various guides, in 2025–2028 we will see how Low Emission Zones (LEZs) become established in many more localities, especially those with more than 50,000 inhabitants (Seville, Zaragoza, Valladolid, etc.), with staggered schedules that usually begin by prohibiting cars without sticker and then they propose restrictions on the label B.

What to know before traveling to any city with a Low Emission Zone (LEZ)

Before setting off in the car, always ask yourself these three questions:

What sticker does my car have?
- If you're unsure, check with the DGT and review our specific guide.
At what stage of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) calendar is the city?
- Check the MITECO map or the city council's website to see if They're already issuing fines. or are still in the information phase. (miteco)
Are there any exceptions I can use?
- Residents, company vehicles, people with reduced mobility, hotel guests within the LEZ… there are often options, but they almost always require register before