If you regularly fly from Barcelona and enjoy a drive around the town and suburbs before catching your plane,  make sure you are registered for your DGT air quality sticker, designed to reduce  air pollution caused by motorised vehicles,  unless you want to risk a  €100 fine.

Since January 1st 2020, vehicles that do not qualify for an environmental sticker from the DGT (Dirección General de Trafico) have restricted access to the “ZBE” low-emissions zone of Barcelona,  from Monday to Friday,  7 am to 8 pm..

This 95km square area includes most of the city and several suburbs. It is estimated that around 50,000 vehicles, around 7% of the present traffic, will no longer be able to use these areas.

DGT environmental labels, which classify vehicles according to their environmental impact, can be obtained for 5€ from certain post offices.
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VEHICLES WITH FOREIGN NUMBER PLATES

Vehicles registered outside Spain are not classified according to the environmental criteria of the Spanish Traffic Authority DGT. For this reason, all foreign vehicles must be registered before they can drive in the low emission zone of Barcelona. As long as your vehicle complies with the requirements of the DGT environmental label, you can drive around the capital with no restrictions. If your vehicle does not comply, you can apply for daily permits, up to a maximum of ten per year, at a cost of 2€ per permit.
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ARE ENVIRONMENTAL STICKERS COMPULSORY?

According to the DGT, the placement of the badge is voluntary as long as the car is registered. However, cities like Madrid or Barcelona require that you wear it attached to the upper right of the front windshield.
Failure to comply with these municipal regulations will result in fines of 90€ in the case of Madrid and 100€ in Barcelona, applicable from March 2020 .

STICKERS FOR THE DISABLED

Vehicles with disabled stickers,  emergency services and essential services are exempt

HOW TO REGISTER/WHERE TO BUY

CLICK HERE to find out more about registering your vehicle.

Each vehicle must have its own sticker (which relates to the vehicle, not the driver) and costs a one off payment of €5.

DGT environmental labels, which classify vehicles according to their environmental impact, can be obtained for 5€ from certain post offices. Bear in mind that this is a new initiative

DOES IT INCLUDE THE RING ROADS?

No, the Ronda de Dalt and the Ronda del Litoral, the two main ring roads, are not included, so if you are heading straight for the airport, you do not need a sticker, unless you intend to leave the ring road at an exit that will take you through the city.

RENTAL CARS

As the sticker is for the car, not the person, the responsibility for the sticker and any fines, lies with the rental firm

SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR