Speed LimitsSpain Motorway Speed: 120 km/h — Now Watched by DGT Drones
The official speed limit in Spain is only half the story. Weather rules, new-driver restrictions and vehicle types all create exceptions. Full breakdown below.
Motorway speed limit in Spain: 120 km/h.
Drones, helicopters and unmarked cars
Spain’s motorway limit is 120 km/h, but the enforcement has moved on. Since 2019 the traffic authority (DGT) has deployed drones and the Pegasus helicopters to catch speeding and phone use from above, alongside the long-standing Guardia Civil unmarked cars with roof-mounted cameras. Note too that many secondary roads dropped to 90 km/h in the 2019 reform, which quietly caught a lot of drivers out. One saving grace: pay a fine within 20 days and it’s cut by 50%. Thirty over is €400 and four points. The message is that on a Spanish motorway you can be watched from a car, a fixed camera, or the sky — so keep it steady.
Complete Speed Limit Guide for Spain
Speed limits in Spain vary by road type and vehicle category.
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks |
|———–|——|——–|
| Urban | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Motorway | 120 km/h | 90 km/h |
Urban Speed Limits
The urban speed limit in Spain is 50 km/h for passenger vehicles. Watch for variable speed signs in city centres.
Motorway Speed Limits
The maximum speed on Spain’s motorways is 120 km/h for passenger vehicles.
Trucks and heavy vehicles are limited to 90 km/h on the same roads.
Speeding Penalties
Get caught speeding in Spain? Here is what it costs:
1-20 km/h over: €100 EUR
21-30 km/h over: €300 EUR
31-40 km/h over: €400 EUR
41-50 km/h over: €500 EUR
Check exact speed limits for your route
Open Speed Limit MapWhat Most Guides Don’t Tell You
Enforcement Reality
Speed enforcement in Spain is aggressive. Camera networks cover motorways, urban arteries and rural trunk roads.
The typical enforcement tolerance is around 7 km/h above the posted limit. Anything beyond that triggers an automatic fine.
Foreign-registered vehicles are actively tracked. Rental cars make enforcement even simpler because the hire company forwards your details to the authority.
Cross-border fine collection is active. An unpaid ticket does not disappear when you leave the country.
Officers can demand on-the-spot payment. If you cannot pay, your vehicle may be impounded until the fine is settled.
Truck Speed Limits
Heavy vehicles on Spain motorways are capped at 90 km/h, creating a speed differential of 30 km/h with passenger cars. Be alert when overtaking or merging.
Mandatory Equipment
A speed check often turns into a full vehicle inspection. Make sure you carry a warning triangle and reflective vest. Missing any of these items is a separate offence with its own fine.
Alcohol and Speed
With a BAC limit of 0.05, Spain is stricter than many destinations. Driving after even one drink and exceeding the speed limit can lead to a double penalty.
How Spain Compares
| Country | Urban | Rural | Motorway | Driving Side |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 50 km/h | 90 km/h | 120 km/h | Right |
| France | 50 km/h | 80 km/h | 130 km/h | Right |
| Portugal | 50 km/h | 90 km/h | 120 km/h | Right |
| Italy | 50 km/h | 90 km/h | 130 km/h | Right |
| Germany | 50 km/h | 100 km/h | 130 km/h | Right |
Key Facts at a Glance
| Country | Spain |
| Urban speed limit | 50 km/h |
| Rural speed limit | 90 km/h |
| Motorway speed limit | 120 km/h |
| Truck motorway limit | 90 km/h |
| Driving side | Right |
| Blood alcohol limit | 0.05 |
| Camera density | Extensive |
| Enforcement tolerance | ~7 km/h |
| Emergency number | 091 |
More Resources
Renting a Car?
Compare prices from all major rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare Car Rental PricesSome links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Related Questions
The motorway speed limit in Spain is 120 km/h for cars.
The default urban speed limit in Spain is 50 km/h.
Trucks are limited to 90 km/h on motorways in Spain.