The implementation of Low Emission Zones is progressing at different speeds in Spain, amidst legal obligations, expired deadlines, and a lively debate about their scope . Several provincial capitals are refining their ordinances, others are facing legal challenges, and some municipalities are already prepared to issue fines.
While Granada is finalizing its transition to a sanctions regime and Córdoba has had one in place for some time, Oviedo and Cuenca are progressing with their procedures , the Community of Madrid is accelerating its efforts in Coslada, Valdemoro, and Aranjuez, and Toledo is inviting residents to participate in the planning of its historic center. All of this is taking place within a context of incentives, funds, and aid that are shaping the timeline.
What is a ZBE and what does the law require?
A Low Emission Zone is an urban area where access, circulation, and parking are restricted for the most polluting vehicles, according to their DGT environmental badge . The framework is established by the Climate Change Law (2021) and Royal Decree 1052/2022.
The regulations require all municipalities with more than 50.000 inhabitants (and some with specific circumstances) to have a functioning Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Despite this, only a portion of the cities required to implement it have done so or are in the testing phase , with figures hovering around 55 out of 149, approximately one-third of the total.
The main objective is to reduce pollutants and improve public health with less traffic and more public transport, active mobility, and zero- and low-emission vehicles . Violating a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is considered a serious offense and carries a fine of €200 (€100 with prompt payment).
Meanwhile, the motorcycle fleet highlights the challenge: around 30% lack an environmental label and only 1,2% are 100% electric , according to data from the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic), which adds pressure to the transition towards less polluting vehicles.
Map of progress and delays by city
Granada, LEZ in the final phase of deployment
Granada's Low Emission Zone has been operational in an information phase since October 1, 2024 , and will begin enforcement on October 1, 2025. Vehicles with B, C, ECO, and 0 emissions labels not registered in the city will be allowed to circulate, while gasoline vehicles manufactured before 2001 and diesel vehicles manufactured before 2006 not registered in the city will not be permitted.
The area covers practically the entire municipality (approximately 23,55 km² ) with some exceptions. Excluded are, among others, the GR-30 (Ring Road), the A-395 (Southern Ring Road), Merced Alta (A-4006), and Avenida Santa María de la Alhambra , as well as the Alhambra complex and the San José Cemetery.
Areas such as Bobadilla, Lancha del Genil, part of Cerrillo de Maracena, El Fargue, Serrallo Plaza, the El Florío Industrial Park, and areas of the PTS (Health Sciences Technology Park ) are also initially excluded , although access to the San Cecilio Clinical Hospital is maintained . The City Council maintains a system of permanent and temporary permits, which is published on its Mobility website.
Córdoba has been fining for two years.
In Córdoba, the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has been active since spring 2023, largely coinciding with the ACIRE areas . The city council assures that it is already issuing fines for violations and that the cameras, upgraded at the end of 2024, allow for the processing of penalty notices.
According to the Mobility department, the local regulations may be more restrictive than in other cities , given that access is effectively limited to ECO and Zero emissions vehicles in many of its areas, which has softened the impact as it is a regulation known to the public for years.
Oviedo, initial approval and double ring
Oviedo has given initial approval to its technical project and the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) ordinance, with a 30-day public consultation period for comments. The proposal favors a double-ring design to avoid border effects and a phased implementation with awareness campaigns.
The plan includes temporary permits for residents and workers, and makes the ordinance's entry into force contingent upon the approval of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan . The stated objective is a "smooth" transition that reorganizes the modal share of traffic.
Cuenca, last phase before the Plenary Session
Cuenca is keeping its Low Emission Zone (LEZ) ordinance open for public comment and plans to bring it to the full council for final approval between September and October. At the same time, it is promoting new bus lines (mostly electric) and park-and-ride facilities.
The City Council has announced the imminent opening of a new parking lot with approximately 200 spaces in Mariano Catalina to reduce private vehicle journeys to the city center and promote sustainable alternatives.
Community of Madrid: progress and friction
In the Madrid metropolitan area, Coslada has the procedures underway for its Low Emission Zone (LEZ); Valdemoro is moving forward despite pointing to the A-4 as its main source of emissions ; and Aranjuez disagrees with the obligation although it is finalizing its deployment.
Arganda del Rey opposes the plan, citing good air quality and warning of the impact on local businesses, a stance that clashes with the Ministry of Transport 's warning about a possible withdrawal of aid to public transport in case of non-compliance.
Toledo: consultation open to the public
Toledo has launched a public consultation for its Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the historic center to gather proposals from residents and organizations . Registered residents aged 16 and over, as well as legal entities, can participate by sending their contributions to zonabajasemisiones@toledo.es.
Suggestions can also be submitted electronically or in person at the General Registry, using the file reference number provided in the announcement . The deadline for participation is September 18, 2025 ; after this date, the City Council will draft the ordinance in accordance with the published "ZBE Project".
Granada, the epicenter of the debate
The metropolitan area of Granada is the focus of much of the tension. Maracena and Armilla have taken the implementation to court due to the municipal response to their objections; Pulianas is considering following suit, and other municipalities in the surrounding area have formally expressed their opposition.
Critical city councils argue that the regulation discriminates against non-residents and hinders daily access to the capital (work, health centers or procedures), while the Granada City Council points out that it is a legal obligation for cities and defends the benefits in health and air quality.
The local government has reinforced information about the " white list " of exceptions and authorizations, with special mention of those over 67 years of age in the metropolitan area , and will deploy new campaigns before the start of sanctions in October.
On the political front, the Socialist group in the City Council has called for a halt to the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and a return to a consensual ring-based model at the metropolitan level, while also demanding the activation of the Air Quality Plan and improvements to public transport and metro connections.
The mayor's office emphasizes that the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is conceived as a public health measure and that its design will be reviewed after three years to evaluate results: reduction of NOx and particles , less CO2, noise, and recovery of public space.
Financing and incentives: the other decisive factor
The rollout of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) has been hampered by delays and the depletion of funds from the MOVES Plan . Although the government reactivated MOVES III with €400 million and a three-month deadline for applications, some regions failed to publish them on time , and where they did (Madrid, Catalonia, Galicia, the Basque Country, and Aragon), the funds ran out within weeks.
Meanwhile, the Community of Madrid has announced it will double aid for residents and businesses affected by Low Emission Zones (LEZs), with the aim of facilitating adaptations and fleet renewal. The Ministry of Transport, for its part, maintains the option of withdrawing transport subsidies from municipalities that fail to comply with the regulations.
The combination of legal obligation, financial support, and monitoring of compliance is setting the real pace of implementation , with some cities already issuing fines, others about to do so, and several municipalities accelerating their processing.
With uneven but increasingly widespread implementation, Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are becoming a key element of urban mobility in Spain: reducing emissions and noise , protecting health and regulating traffic are the goals, while administrations and citizens adjust rules, exceptions and aid to make the transition as reasonable as possible.
