Spain mandates fines for Low Emission Zone violations

The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved a regulatory reform to end the extended grace periods previously allowed by local municipalities regarding Low Emission Zones (ZBE). Under the new rules, local authorities are obligated to enforce traffic restrictions and issue fines, such as the 200 euro penalty, for unauthorized access by polluting vehicles.

To ensure compliance, municipalities must provide documentary evidence that their ZBE systems are functional, including monitoring, tracking, and access control mechanisms. The reform aims to prevent cities from establishing zones that lack real restrictions or merely formalize existing traffic limitations without improving air quality.

In Zaragoza, a specific agreement has been reached to implement a dynamic management system. Instead of permanent restrictions, traffic limitations will be activated only when nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels exceed specific thresholds across at least five municipal monitoring stations for two consecutive hours. This new protocol is expected to enter into force around April 1, 2027.