Although Low Emission Zones (LEZs) have been mandatory for 150 municipalities across Spain since the start of the year to curb road traffic pollution, twenty of them began procedures to create these urban areas earlier. Delays in enacting the zones have prompted auto and environmental groups to push for faster action and clearer timelines.
From January 1, 2023, all Spanish municipalities, including island regions with more than 50,000 residents and those with populations over 20,000 that exceed regulated pollutant limits, are required by law to enforce LEZs within their jurisdictions.
About 150 Spanish municipalities, totaling around 25 million residents and representing roughly half of the country’s population, are identified as needing LEZs. These zones typically include measures such as restricting vehicle access, promoting public transportation, and expanding charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Municipalities obligated to establish LEZs are listed in a public directory referenced by authorities.
Estimates from various automotive organizations, reported by Europa Press, suggest these measures affect nearly four million vehicles that lack environmental labels out of the roughly 11.5 million cars circulating in Spanish cities that should have LEZ compliance by 2023.
Although the affected municipalities should have LEZs in place, in most areas local regulations detailing the exact operation of the scheme have not yet been defined. Practically, this means drivers should not expect dramatic changes overnight.
Operations started in only 20 municipalities
In fact, the National Association of Rental Vehicles (Aneval) warned last week that only about 20 municipalities, roughly 13 percent, have begun implementing their LEZ measures. The association urged consulates to publish regulations as soon as possible and called on the General Directorate of Traffic to launch the platform that will gather municipal LEZ regulations. This platform is intended to integrate with navigation apps so drivers can receive real-time alerts about current restrictions.
Royal decree to issue ZBEs
The latest Council of Ministers approved a Royal Decree establishing homogeneous minimum requirements that affected municipalities must meet. LEZs may employ permanent or temporary restrictions on vehicle access, circulation, and parking to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, classified by vehicle emission levels in line with the prevailing Vehicle Regulation framework.
As part of climate action goals, the Royal Decree requires municipalities to set measurable emission reduction targets for 2030, aligned with the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan to reduce private car usage relative to other transport modes.
Exceptions to LEZ access are allowed for vehicles that provide essential public services, such as emergency responders or waste collection, when justified by pollution control needs.
On a separate note, some projections estimate that around 5 percent of vehicle purchases in Spain could be influenced by LEZs entering into force in 2023. That share remains below the level of customers purchasing out of necessity, which stands around 80 percent, and near those who buy vehicles for nonessential reasons, about 15 percent, a figure pressured by inflation in recent years.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain’s most impacted city
Sumauto’s analysis from late last October shows the Canary Islands recording the highest share of vehicles without environmental badges in Spain. Santa Cruz de Tenerife leads with around 44.1 percent of cars lacking badges, followed by Arrecife (43.7 percent), San Cristóbal de La Laguna (43.4 percent), and Arona (41.7 percent). Other notable areas with higher shares include Ourense in Galicia (41.7 percent) and Ponferrada and León in Castile and León (39.6 percent). In contrast, Madrid region municipalities such as Alcobendas (9.9 percent), Boadilla del Monte (11.6 percent), and Rivas Vaciamadrid (18.3 percent) show lower shares.
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Note: Environmental monitoring and policy discussions continue to shape LEZ deployment across Spain, with ongoing evaluations of regional impacts, vehicle labeling rates, and compliance outcomes. [Citation: Sumauto analysis, regional press reports, and national policy updates]