Spain 2026: Spare Glasses, €200 Phone Fine, 120 km/h Cap

Spain expects anyone who needs glasses to drive to carry a spare pair in the vehicle — a requirement almost no visiting driver packs for. Reaching for a phone costs €200 and six licence points, the same €200 that covers a missed seatbelt or a red light. Speeding is banded in five steps from €100 for a small excess to €600 beyond 50 km/h over, against limits of 120 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on rural roads and 50 km/h in town. From 1 October 2026, Real Decreto 518/2026 adds motorcycle rules including closed footwear on all roads.

Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 120 km/h on motorways. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC. You must be at least 15 to drive.

Emergency Numbers in Spain

General Emergency: 112 | Police: 091 | Ambulance: 061 | Fire: 080

Save these numbers before you start driving. In Spain, emergency calls are free from any phone.

Speed Limits in Spain

The default speed limits for passenger cars in Spain are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 120 km/h on motorways.

Trucks and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, and 90 km/h on motorways.

For comparison, motorway limits in nearby countries: France (130 km/h).

Spain uses an extensive network of fixed and mobile speed cameras. The typical enforcement tolerance is about 7 km/h.

Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.

Speeding Fines and Penalties

Speeding fines in Spain escalate based on how far you exceed the limit. Exceeding by up to 10 km/h: EUR 100. Exceeding by 11-20 km/h: EUR 300 + 2 points. Over 20 km/h: EUR 400 + 4 points or more.

Warning for foreign drivers: Spain pursues unpaid fines through cross-border enforcement agreements. You may receive a penalty notice at your home address weeks or months after your trip.

Other common fines:

• Mobile phone use while driving: EUR 200 + 6 points
• Running a red light: EUR 200 + 4 points
• Seatbelt violation: EUR 200 + 4 points

Traffic Rules and Regulations

Drive on the right side of the road. Overtake on the left. At roundabouts, enter counter-clockwise and yield to traffic already circulating.

Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.

Using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal. The fine is EUR 200 + 6 points. Use hands-free devices only.

Daytime running lights are required in most situations. Dipped headlights must be used in tunnels, rain, and reduced visibility.

At unmarked intersections, traffic from the right generally has priority unless signs indicate otherwise.

Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits

The legal blood alcohol limit in Spain is 0.05% BAC. This is higher than Morocco (0.02% BAC). Exceeding this limit results in fines, licence suspension, and possible criminal charges. For novice drivers and professional drivers, stricter limits may apply.

The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.

Tyre Requirements and Regulations

Check local requirements for tyre regulations in Spain. At minimum, tyres must be in good condition and suitable for the road surface.

The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. Safety experts recommend replacing tyres at 3.0 mm for adequate grip.

Studded tyres are prohibited in Spain.

For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Spain guide.

Mandatory Vehicle Equipment

Vehicles in Spain must carry the following:

Required:

• Warning triangle
• Reflective vest (high-visibility)

Recommended:

• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Spare bulbs

Keep all equipment accessible — not buried under luggage. Police may check during routine stops.

Driving License Requirements

EU and EEA driving licences are valid in Spain without additional documentation. Always carry your original driving licence — photocopies are not accepted. Your foreign licence is valid for up to 6 months.

The minimum driving age is 15 years.

EU/EEA licences valid. Non-EU visitors can drive for up to 6 months with IDP.

Parking and Fuel

City-centre parking in Spain is typically paid — use parking meters, ticket machines, or mobile payment apps. Look for P+R (park and ride) facilities on the outskirts connected to public transport.

Current fuel prices in Spain: petrol approximately $1.70/litre, diesel $1.55/litre (USD). Prices vary by region and station.

Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.

Seasonal Driving Conditions

Spain has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers. Summer temperatures can exceed 40°C — carry water, use air conditioning, and take breaks to avoid fatigue. Sun glare is a significant hazard; quality sunglasses are essential.

Winter is mild in coastal areas but mountain roads may see snow and ice. Check conditions before mountain driving in winter.

Useful Driving Phrases in Spanish

Knowing a few phrases in Spanish helps at fuel stations, toll booths, and during police checks:

Download the Spanish language pack in your translation app for offline use.

New rules from 1 October 2026 — gloves, footwear and the hard shoulder

Spain changes its motorcycle rules on 1 October 2026, and the change affects visitors on hired bikes exactly as it affects residents. The instrument is Real Decreto 518/2026, de 24 de junio, which amends the Reglamento General de Circulación and states plainly that it “entrará en vigor el 1 de octubre de 2026”.

Four things change:

• Protective gloves become compulsory on interurban roads — for the rider and the passenger. In town they are not required; the moment you leave the built-up area they are.
• Closed footwear becomes compulsory on every type of road. Sandals and open shoes stop being legal on a motorcycle anywhere in Spain.
• The same two rules extend to mopeds (ciclomotores), rider and passenger alike.
• Moped helmets must be type-approved (homologado), not merely certified — the decree closes the gap that let a weaker standard through.

One rule moves the other way: motorcycles may now use the hard shoulder when traffic is congested, which the decree frames as separating riders from stationary traffic rather than as a filtering right.

If you are hiring a bike in Spain in October, the practical trap is footwear: gloves are easy to remember, but the closed-shoe rule applies on every road, including the short urban hop from the rental counter.

Source: Real Decreto 518/2026 — BOE-A-2026-13889, text checked 2 September 2026.

Practical Driving Tips for Spain

• Speed camera warning apps (Waze, Google Maps) are legal here.
• Dashcams are legal and recommended for evidence in case of an accident.
• Police can issue on-the-spot fines. Carry cash or a valid payment card.
• Download offline maps of Spain before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
• Check if you need a motorway vignette (toll sticker) or an environmental zone sticker for city driving.
• Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
• Use our interactive tools on this page — compare rules with your home country and calculate potential fines before you set off.