The implementation of Low Emission Zones is progressing at different speeds in Spain, between Legal obligations, deadlines already expired and a lively debate on their scopeSeveral capital cities are fine-tuning their ordinances, others are pursuing legal action, and some municipalities are already ready to pass laws.
While Granada is finalizing the move to the sanctioning regime and Córdoba has had it in place for some time, Oviedo and Cuenca are making progress in their processing, the Community of Madrid is accelerating with Coslada, Valdemoro and Aranjuez, and Toledo is calling on its residents to participate in the development of the historic center. All this in a context of incentives, funds and aid that condition the calendar.
What is a ZBE and what does the law require?
A Low Emission Zone is an urban area where restricts access, circulation and parking to the most polluting vehicles according to your DGT environmental distinctiveThe framework is set 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 LEZ. Despite this, Only a portion of the required cities have implemented it or are testing it., with figures hovering around 55 out of 149, approximately a 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. Breaching a ZBE is considered a serious offense and carries with it fines of 200 euros (100 with prompt payment).
In parallel, 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, which adds pressure to the transition to less polluting vehicles.
Map of progress and delays by city
Granada, LEZ in the final phase of deployment
The Granada Low Emission Zone has been operational in the information phase since 1th October 2024 and will activate the sanctioning period 1th October 2025Vehicles with labels may circulate. B, C, ECO and 0 not registered in the capital, while the Gasoline before 2001 and diesel before 2006 without a census in the city they will not be able to access.
The area covers practically the entire municipal area (about 23,55 km²) with exceptions. Excluded are, among others, the GR-30 (Ring Road), A-395 (South Ring Road), Merced Alta (A-4006) and Santa María de la Alhambra Avenue, in addition to the Alhambra 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 Estate and areas of the PTS, where access to the San Cecilio Clinical HospitalThe City Council maintains a system of permanent and punctual authorizations published on its Mobility website.
Córdoba has been fining for two years.
In Córdoba, the ZBE has been active since spring 2023, coinciding largely with the ACIRE areasThe council assures that it is already issuing fines for non-compliance and that the cameras, renovated at the end of 2024, allow for the processing of fines.
According to the Mobility area, the local regime may be more restrictive than in other cities, since access is de facto limited to ECO and Zero vehicles in many of its areas, which has softened the impact as it is a regulation that has been known to citizens for years.
Oviedo, initial approval and double ring
Oviedo has initially approved its technical project and the ZBE ordinance, with 30-day public information period for allegations. The proposal opts for a double ring design to avoid border effects and a progressive implementation with awareness campaigns.
The file contemplates temporary authorizations for residents and workers, and makes the entry into force of the ordinance subject to the approval of the Sustainable Urban Mobility PlanThe stated objective is a "smooth" transition that reorganizes the modal distribution of traffic.
Cuenca, last phase before the Plenary Session
Cuenca maintains in public exhibition its LEZ ordinance and plans to submit it to the Plenary for final approval between September and October. At the same time, it is promoting new bus lines (mostly electric) and park-and-ride parking.
The City Council has announced the imminent opening of a new parking lot with some 200 places in Mariano Catalina to reduce private vehicle travel to the city center and promote sustainable alternatives.
Community of Madrid: progress and friction
In the metropolitan area of Madrid, Coslada has the procedures for its ZBE underway; Valdemoro advances despite pointing to the A-4 as its main source of emissions, and Aranjuez disagrees with the obligation although it is finalizing its implementation.
Arganda del Rey opposes, claiming good air quality and warning of the impact on local commerce, a position that clashes with the warning of the Ministry of Transport 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 LEZ in the historic center in order to collect proposals from residents and entities. Registered residents over 16 years of age and legal entities may participate by sending contributions to zonabajasemisiones@toledo.es.
Suggestions can also be registered electronically or in person at the General Registry, with the reference of the file included in the announcement. The participation period ends September 18, 2025; the City Council will then draft the ordinance in accordance with the published "ZBE Project."
Granada, the epicenter of the debate
The metropolitan area of Granada concentrates much of the tension. Maracena and Armilla have taken the implementation to court for the municipal response to his allegations; pulianas is considering following the same path and other municipalities in the belt have formally rejected it.
Critical local councils argue that the regulation discriminates against non-registered residents and makes everyday access to the capital difficult (work, health centers or procedures), while the Granada City Council reminds that this is a legal obligation for cities and defends benefits in health and air quality.
The local government has reinforced information on the "White list» of exceptions and authorizations, with special mention to the people over 67 years of age in the metropolitan area, and will roll out new campaigns before the sanctions begin in October.
On the political level, the socialist group in the City Council has asked stop the ZBE and return to a ring model agreed upon at a metropolitan scale, while calling for the activation of the Air Quality Plan and improve public transport and metro connections.
The mayor's office emphasizes that the ZBE is conceived as public health measure and that its design will be reviewed after three years to evaluate results: reduction of NOx and particulates, less CO2, noise and recovery of public space.
Financing and incentives: the other decisive factor
The deployment of the LEZs has been affected by Delays and depletion of funds from the MOVES PlanAlthough the Government reactivated MOVES III with 400 million and a three-month deadline for calls, some communities they did not publish them on time and where they did (Madrid, Catalonia, Galicia, the Basque Country, Aragon) the funds were exhausted in weeks.
In parallel, the Community of Madrid has announced that will double aid for residents and merchants affected by the LEZs, with the idea of facilitating adaptations and fleet renewals. The Ministry of Transport, for its part, maintains the possibility of withdraw transport subsidies to municipalities that fail to comply with the regulations.
The combination of legal obligation, financial support and compliance monitoring is marking the actual pace of implementation, with cities already issuing fines, others about to do so, and several city councils speeding up their processing.
With an uneven but increasingly widespread application, the ZBE are consolidated as key piece of urban mobility in Spain: reduce emissions and noise, protecting health and regulating traffic are the goals, while administrations and citizens adjust regulations, exceptions and aid to make the transition as smooth as possible.
