Further Information
Introduction (goal, intention, purpose)
In the course of the implementation of European directives, the Spanish government has, since the end of 2013, created the framework conditions that allow cities and municipalities or regions of the country to set up environmental zones so that the pollution limits for citizens prescribed by the EU are not exceeded.
The LEZs are defined by the respective cities and municipalities or regions within their borders and allow driving only with prior registration of the vehicle.
It should be noted that vehicles registered in Spain do not have to register because they are already registered in the national databaseand require a Distintivo-Ambiental sticker.
Initially, only the Spanish environmental sticker was intended for the control of environmental zones. However, as these can only be obtained by vehicles registered in Spain, Barcelona has taken a special path and has also introduced registration since 2020 for vehicles registered abroad.
Legal basis
The basis for the introduction of environmental zones in the country has been laid since 2013 with the National Air Quality and Air Protection Plan.
These are based on a resolution of 13.04.2016, which classifies and describes the stickers. Prior to this, DGT had already prepared the corresponding specifications on 07.04.2015 with instruction 15/V-110.
The complete allocation of vehicle types such as light bicycles, cars, trucks and buses to the categories of the Spanish environmental stickers was then regulated in the regulation PCI/810/2018 of 27 July 2018.
Features (appearance, description)
For vehicles registered outside Spain, the registration for Barcelona is completely digital. The registration number is entered into a database with any data on the particulate filter, so that the cameras can detect a positive match. Since the cameras are used to match the number plate, there is no need to stick anything to the windscreen or similar. As soon as the confirmation of registration has been received, it is possible to enter the environmental zones. The confirmation does not have to be carried in the vehicle.
The Distintivo-Ambiental applies to vehicles registered in Spain!
Cities
The following cities have one or more low emission zones and registration is mandatory: Barcelona, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Sant Joan Despí
For the cities of Madrid, Seville, Valladolid, Valencia, a Distintivo-Ambiental may have to be purchased or the entry rules may have to be observed.
Affected vehicles
The following vehicles are affected by the Barcelona low emission zones and require registration on entry:
Motorbike (L), Car, motorhome (M1), minibus (M2), coach (M3), van (N1), truck (N2-N3)
Not affected are agricultural and forestry machinery.
Which stickers / registration do I get? (classification)
To gain access to the low emission zone, the minimum standard for diesel of Euro 4 and petrol Euro 3 must be met.
Penalties (fines)
In Barcelona, the check of an authorised entry in an environmental zone is not only carried out by the police but, above all, by intelligent cameras (Automatic Number Plate Recognition = ANPR).
These fixed and mobile cameras capture each vehicle registration number and match it with a central database. If the vehicle owner has not registered its car for the the Barcelona environmental zone before entering, he will receive a fine notice between 200 euros and 1800 euros from the respective authorities. In the case of more offences, the fine increases by a further 30%.
Important to know for foreigners:
From a fine of 70 euros or more, according to EU Directive 2011/82 of 25.10.2011 "to facilitate the cross-border exchange of information on traffic offences which jeopardise road safety", if the fine is not paid, enforcement proceedings will take place in the home country and will continue until the prison sentence is passed.
Exemptions
General exceptions
Vehicles belonging to the armed forces, the police and the emergency and rescue services,disabled vehicles with EU parking cards. However, all these vehicles must still "register" in advance to obtain an exemption.
Vehicles registered in Spain do not require separate registration, but the Distintivo-Ambiental.
Individual exceptions
Affected vehicles which do not meet the required Euro standards or which fall under the general exceptions can purchase a so-called day ticket up to 10 times a year. This allows the entry for up to 24 hours, even if the vehicle is too old.
FAQ
How long is my registration valid?
Unless the engine or the exhaust emission standard of the vehicle or the registration number changes, the registration is valid for the entire lifetime of the vehicle. This means that a new registration does not have to be made every year. It is possible that in the future the access restrictions will be tightened. In this case, the registration expires if the required Euronorm can no longer be met. When, who and for how long is allowed to enter, you will find under the point "Which stickers/ registration do I get (classification)".
Do I have to carry the confirmation with me?
The registration for Barcelona is completely digital. The license plate is entered into a database with possible data on the particulate filter, so that the cameras detect a positive match. Since the matching of the number plate is done by the cameras, nothing has to be stuck to the windscreen or similar. As soon as the confirmation of registration has been received, the low emission zones can be entered. It is also not necessary to carry the operation in the vehicle.
What happens if my license plate changes?
As soon as the registration number is changed, e.g. by moving house, a new registration must be made.
Is the registration also valid for other low emission zones?
The registration is only valid for the low emission zone in Barcelona, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Sant Joan Despí.
For other environmental zones in in Spain, either the Distintivo-Ambiental must be purchased or the entry rules must be followed.
The environmental sticker was introduced on 01.03.2007 and has been mandatory in the German low emission zones for all cars, trucks and buses since 01.01.2008. The sticker was divided into 3 different colours, red, yellow and green, depending on the EURO class. Gradually, the rules of the now more than 80 zones have become stricter, so that in almost all German cities only the entry with the green environmental sticker is allowed. If a sticker is missing, a fine of 100 € is levied. Since 2018, additional diesel driving ban zones have been added, which exclude older diesels from certain routes and areas. Here the green environmental sticker is no longer sufficient.
On 25.09.2015, the German law for the promotion of electric mobility was passed to equip electric and hybrid vehicles with additional advantages. As a result, domestic e-vehicles (cars registered in Germany) can be given their own special e-license plate. Foreign vehicles (all cars not registered in Germany) can acquire an E-Sticker so that they too can enjoy the benefits and privileges, such as driving in environmental and bus lanes and free parking in Germany.
The Green Zones app helps you to keep track of things. With over 200 low emission zones in Europe you have everything at a glance. Where are there driving bans? Am I affected? When can I drive in and when not? What kind of fines do I face? Is my hotel in a low emission zone? Where can I still drive in with my old vehicle? How is the air quality in my city? You can see all this and much more in the Green Zones app, personalized for your vehicle.
