Low Emission Zone Madrid

Madrid is entirely designated as a Low Emission Zone (ZBE), which is a permanent low-emission area. In this zone, an emissions sticker is required to indicate how your vehicle is classified according to Spanish authorities. In cases of severe air pollution, the permanent low-emission zone may be expanded to include the M-30 ring road, and in extremely serious pollution scenarios, the entire municipality of Madrid may temporarily become a low-emission zone. Within the standard permanent zone in Madrid, there are two smaller areas with additional requirements, known as special protection low-emission zones, located in the city centre and around Plaza Elíptica.

For the low-emission zones with additional requirements, only vehicles with an emissions sticker from residents are permitted (this includes if your AIRBNB or hotel is located in this area). In these zones, vehicles with a blue sticker (Spanish vignette) face no restrictions; if you have a vehicle with a green-blue etiqueta ambiental (Spanish vignette), you may park for up to 2 hours. Vehicles with a green or yellow pegatina ambiental (Spanish vignette) are only allowed to park in public spaces and are not permitted in private parking lots or garages.

For more information, you can consult the Madrid Mobility Regulation or check the official municipal information page on the low emission zone in Madrid.

French Emissions Sticker Also Valid in Madrid's Low Emission Zone

You do not necessarily need a Spanish vignette to enter the ZBE of Madrid. You can also access the zone if your vehicle has a French emissions sticker. Since the Spanish government does not issue Spanish emissions stickers for foreign vehicles, they have created an alternative system. Spanish authorities also accept vehicles with the correct French emissions sticker, and they have established a classification system. You can view the equivalence between the classifications of the Spanish and French emissions stickers using the classification table.

In Madrid Without an Emissions Sticker? Apply for Exceptional Access

If you have a foreign vehicle (such as a Dutch vehicle) without an emissions sticker from France or Spain and you are already in Madrid with a destination located in a low emission zone, you can still apply for access to the zone. This can be arranged for you. These permits are granted only when the need for access is well justified and falls under the public interest, such as:

• Safety and public order
• Public health or civil protection
• Urgent, temporary private circumstances that cannot be postponed

Possible Situations for Exceptional Permits

The municipality has identified several situations in which exceptional access can be requested, provided there is sufficient justification:

• Permit for picking up or delivering a newly purchased vehicle
• Access related to medical treatment or hospital visits
• Permission for industrial vehicles of owners nearing retirement
• Other urgent or exceptional requests that do not fall under standard regulations

How to Arrange Exceptional Access

The application for an exceptional permit must be submitted at least 15 calendar days in advance. This is done through the official procedure directed to the General Directorate of Traffic Management and Supervision of the municipality of Madrid. There are two methods to obtain exceptional access to a low emission zone in Madrid:

Exceptional Access by Appointment

In central Madrid at the Officina de Madrid Central. The address is CALLE BUSTAMANTE number 16 28045 MADRID. You can reach the office by phone at +34-10-91 529 82 10. Appointments can be made through the Madrid gestionturnos website. Select the category (Categoría) Movilidad and choose the service (servicio) ZBEDC Centro (Distrito Centro) or ZBEPE Plaza Elíptica to make an appointment. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 2 PM. Bring all necessary documents.

Exceptional Access by Online Registration

You can register online for exceptional access to the low emission zone in Madrid. Ensure you attach all necessary documents and justification with your application.

Signage for the Low Emission Zone in Madrid

The following signage indicates a Low Emission Zone in Madrid: