New restrictions and controls will be activated in several capital cities in the coming months while the details are finalized. exemptions, perimeters and surveillance systemsNext, we review the most relevant changes in Malaga, Valencia, Cadiz and Barakaldo, as well as the national context and the situation in other Spanish cities.
Malaga: end of the moratorium and start of the sanctions
In Malaga, the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) leaves its transition year behind: Fines will be processed starting November 30th. Unauthorized vehicles entering the designated perimeter will be monitored using cameras and license plate recognition. Wearing the sticker is not mandatory. provided that the environmental badge is associated with the vehicle in the database.
La access authorization It depends on three variables: the environmental label, whether the vehicle is registered in the municipality, and the type of vehicle (car, motorcycle, or van). For cars and motorcycles, those registered in Málaga can enter. alwayseven without a sticker; those from outside the municipality with a ZERO, ECO or C sticker will maintain unlimited access; those with a B sticker from outside will be able to circulate until the November 30 of 2026And those without a badge will lose access from November 30th.
To Vans Similar rules apply, but with an additional two years' grace period: those from outside with a B label will be able to access up to November of 2028 and those that lack a label up to November of 2027Vans registered in Malaga, performance due to its essential function in local activity.
There will special authorizations for regular public transport, healthcare, law enforcement, municipal services, historic vehicles, or private services of justified necessity. The Mobility Department plans to exclude more than 26.000 vehicles and, in 15 years' time, reduce the number of vehicles in the area by around 20%.
Valencia: political clash, budget up in the air and uncertain calendar
In Valencia, the ordinance regulating the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was completely rejected after the vote against VoxThe PP's coalition partner, which left the Popular Party to defend the text alone. The opposition (PSPV-PSOE and Compromís) also did not support the proposal, considering it lax and minimal in environmental terms.
The Councillor for Mobility, Jesús Carbonell, defended an implementation progressive Initially focused on vehicles with an A sticker from outside the province, with gradual expansion in subsequent years. The possibility of even expand the perimeterBut Vox's change of course blocked the approval. The opposition warned of a possible loss of 115 million European funds were used and political accountability was demanded.
This clash is compounded by a scheduling problem: the municipal budget for 2026 It still doesn't have enough support. If the budget is extended, There will be no games for cameras, signage, technological control, vehicle renewal subsidies or incentives for commerce in the city center, which It would delay several months. the effective implementation of the LEZ.
State and European regulations require cities with more than 50.000 inhabitants to have these areas, hence the paralysis could put Valencia in the spotlight from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the EU. Meanwhile, the PP, Vox, PSPV and Compromís maintain divergent positions on the scope, deadlines and perimeter of the ZBE.
Cadiz: defined perimeter in the old town and registration of license plates
The Cádiz City Council has finalized the design of its Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and is seeking the initial approval in an extraordinary plenary session to activate the measure by the end of the year. The scope affects the historic helmet (except the ring road) already pedestrianized sections of the seafront promenade.
The proposal anticipates that the restrictions primarily affect unregistered vehicles in the city, while residents with vehicle registration controlled by the local tax authority will retain access. Additionally, a [unclear - possibly "device" or "device"] will be activated. protocol for specific episodes of poor air quality.
Amongst the unrestricted access vehicles Bicycles and personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) stand out, as well as passenger cars with ZERO and ECO label...in addition to emergency and intervention services, even if they lack formal labeling. Others, such as basic supplies, funeral services, maintenance, or certain public utilities, registration will be required in the Municipal Register of access to ZBE.
There will permanent exemptions For cases such as registered residents with justified reasons, hotel or parking lot guests (with license plate notification), people with reduced mobility, tow trucks, historic vehicles, and professionals linked to authorized works and events. Certain vehicles without a sticker or with B and C labels may access under general time limit and specific conditions (for example, non-rotating garages, delivery, workshops or social services).
Barakaldo: “Expanded Central Zone” and objective of reducing emissions by more than 10%
Barakaldo has technically approved the delimitation of its ZBE within the 2026-2030 project, with the perimeter called “Extended City Center Zone” (City Center, Rontegi, Santa Teresa, Beurko Berria, San Vicente, Zuazo-Arteagabeitia and Lasesarre). The decision is justified by data from air quality and noise derived from the high volume of displacements.
The proposal aims to veto access to vehicles without a sticker and with a B label throughout the city center, except for the Desierto neighborhood and peripheral areas of shopping centers and Lutxana, Llano, Cruces, Burtzeña, Retuerto, El Regato, and Kareaga. Cruces is not included as a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) due to its function as hospital access at a supra-municipal scale.
The council assures that this perimeter exceeds the 10% reduction in emissions The project specifies that the delimitation makes it easier to bypass the city without entering it (via roads such as Ronda de Azkue, Av. Altos Hornos, Av. de la Rivera, and Ibaibe). Areas such as [areas to be specified] are excluded. Beurko Viejo, BEC and Megapark.
The Department of Sustainable Development opens a process of briefings to detail the list of authorizations and exemptions and refine the scope of citizen participation. Although there is no implementation date, the law already required it to be done before January 1, 2023, so the technical push aims to speed up deadlines.
State context and other cities: labels, phases, rates and new obligations
Low Emission Zones (LEZs) have existed in Europe since the 90s and have spread throughout Spain with the legal obligation for municipalities with more than 50.000 inhabitants. Transportation accounts for approximately 29% of national emissions, which is why these areas are seeking improve air quality and align with European directives.
Cities like Lleida Phases apply: in the first, vehicles without a sticker cannot circulate on the streets included in the ZBE1 from Monday to Friday (7:00–20:00); from next January, the B tags They will also be affected during periods of high pollution; and by 2028, it is planned to limit the circulation of B vehicles during those same hours with a expansion of scopeIn addition, non-residents have access to 24 annual accesses no penalty until 2028.
More restrictions are emerging across the country: some localities have begun to limit entry to B vehicles in certain LEZs or cases, and in the coming months progress is expected in Palma, San Sebastián, Reus, Santander, Las Palmas, Valladolid and other municipalities required to deploy these areas to comply with the regulations.
The new Sustainable Mobility Law It provides tools to local councils: it enables charges for improper transit in Low Emission Zones (calculated in reference to public parking costs), and encourages prioritize less bulky vehicles in public spaces, and enables closure or restriction measures during periods of high pollution. Furthermore, it proposes review the labeling system The DGT has one year to correct imbalances and add CO2 emissions as a criterion.
The standard also introduces mobility plans Mandatory for companies with 200 or more employees, with penalties for non-compliance, a state plan promotes bikeand includes a program of fleet renewal Focused on zero and low emissions, including subsidies for used vehicles that meet Euro 6d standards. It also suggests reducing domestic flights with a competitive rail alternative.
Impact on the market: more restrictions and an aging vehicle fleet
The deployment of ZBE encounters a second-hand market that dominates sales In Spain (for every new car sold, about 2,1 used cars are sold) and with an average age of the vehicle fleet above 14 yearsIndustry projections indicate that up to 87% of cars purchased in 2025 will be they will not be able to move freely in 2026 for restricted areas, as they do not meet ECO or ZERO labels.
The available data suggests that barely a 13% of the used vehicles sold would exceed the ZBE restrictions, with an ECO share close to 10% and ZERO slightly above the 3%At the close of the last fiscal year analyzed, only the 1,2% of the national park was ZERO and one 4,7% ECO, which highlights the challenge of accelerate the handover towards less polluting technologies.
For those who own cars without a sticker or with B and, to a lesser extent, C stickers, the progressive tightening of the regulations will force them to plan alternatives: take advantage of temporary exemptions, use public transport or shared mobility, or make the switch to vehicles with cleaner labels when it is possible.
With sanctions already in place in some cities, ordinances being processed in others, and a state framework that gives more tools to local councils, the deployment of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) is entering a decisive phase in Spain: Malaga steps on the gasValencia seeks political and financial integration, Cádiz defines its perimeter with broad exemptions, and Barakaldo establishes its priority zone. The common challenge will be to combine environmental efficiencylegal certainty and support for those who need it most so that the transition is viable and leaves no one behind.
