Can You Drive in a City Like Madrid Without an Environmental Label?

Cities and municipalities are implementing Low Emission Zones (LEZ) where only vehicles with a specific environmental label can enter. These zones are designed to improve air quality and reduce pollution, meaning that driving vehicles without an environmental label in Spain is becoming increasingly restricted.

Vehicles without an environmental label are generally prohibited from driving in LEZ during designated hours, and driving in a restricted area without the corresponding label can result in financial penalties.

It is important to be informed about driving restrictions in your city and to consult local regulations to understand exceptions and specific requirements. The Directorate-General for Traffic provides updated information on environmental labels and driving restrictions, but additionally, your city council can provide detailed information about LEZ and applicable restrictions in your area.

In the case of Madrid, the Madrid Low Emission Zone, which began on January 1, 2025, had planned the total prohibition of driving in Madrid for cars registered in the capital without an environmental label. However, experts from Alquiber clarify all doubts, or at least the most frequent ones, about the full implementation of the restrictions.

Under the framework of the Madrid 360 Sustainability Strategy to reduce nitrogen oxides in the city, the Madrid City Council launched the Low Emission Zone in January 2022, which, a year later, began to activate access restrictions to the capital: on January 1, 2023, non-resident cars without an environmental label could no longer drive inside the M-30 (and on this same road); from January 1, 2024, non-resident cars without a label could not drive throughout the entire municipal area of Madrid; and, as planned, from January 1, 2025, cars without a label registered in the capital would join these restrictions.

However, although the Madrid City Council has indeed enforced this prohibition, it has not yet activated the fines and penalties that should accompany it, as it has approved a one-year moratorium for its implementation, allowing these vehicles to continue driving throughout the municipal area until December 31, 2025. Thus, the warning period will remain active until the end of the year, during which offenders will receive an informative letter at home instead of being fined for a serious traffic violation with a 200 euro fine (100 euros if paid promptly), as happens in any other low emission zone in the national territory.

Additionally, alongside the announcement of this moratorium, the Madrid City Council has also detailed the authorized exceptions for owners of non-resident cars without a label or who do not pay the Mechanical Traction Vehicle Tax (IVTM) in Madrid, who cannot drive on any street or road in the municipal area since January 1, 2023.

Self-employed individuals (or sole proprietorships) aged 59 years (as of 2025) and older, for whom at least 50% of their fleet consists of A vehicles over 3.5 tons, will be allowed to drive in Madrid.

Also exempt are the owners of A vehicles or families who need them for transportation to clinics and hospitals for medical treatments, and a procedure will be established to request access by registration - it will not be done automatically.

Finally, temporary access will be allowed for A vehicles of those who have purchased a new low-emission vehicle but have not yet received it due to manufacturing issues.

Although regulations may change, currently the main cities in the Community of Madrid, such as Madrid capital, Alcalá de Henares, and Móstoles, have established their own LEZ.

In Alcalá de Henares, it covers the historic center and the most densely populated areas. The restrictions are similar to those in Madrid, with access restrictions for vehicles without an environmental label at certain times.

Meanwhile, the Móstoles LEZ covers a wide area of the municipality, including the historic center and main communication routes. Restrictions apply to the circulation of vehicles without an environmental label at certain times and days.

In Barcelona, the LEZ covers a wide area, including the city's ring roads and some inner streets. It is advisable to consult the official LEZ map to know the exact affected areas. Traffic restrictions in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) of Barcelona

Barcelona has implemented a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) to improve air quality and reduce pollution. This means there are driving restrictions for certain vehicles in specific areas of the city.

Generally, only vehicles with a DGT environmental label: 0 emissions, ECO, C, or B, are allowed to drive without restrictions within the LEZ during designated hours. Vehicles with an environmental label 0, ECO, C, or B can drive without restrictions within the LEZ during designated hours.

Vehicles without an environmental label cannot drive within the LEZ during restricted hours. Restrictions usually apply from Monday to Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Outside these hours, and on weekends and holidays, there are generally no restrictions. However, it is important to consult the official information from the Barcelona City Council, as restrictions may vary or be extended depending on pollution conditions.