Overview
- Spanish law requires municipalities with more than 50,000 residents to have a low-emission zone operational before the start of 2026.
- Santander has installed cameras and covered signage for a small central zone that goes live on January 1 after final ordinance approval on November 27.
- Ourense’s zone, activated on December 26, shows minimal traffic changes so far, with scarce signage and inactive plate-reading cameras.
- Local Police in Ourense handle oversight during an adaptation phase without sanctions until July 1, 2026, though pedestrianization breaches can already be fined.
- Catalonia’s air-quality plan, approved by decree, restricts B-label cars on high-pollution days from January 2026 and bars them from January 3, 2028, while unlabeled vehicles are banned in towns over 20,000 residents from 2026.