Overview
- From 1 January 2026, the V16 beacon is compulsory for covered vehicles in Spain with no extension, and failure to carry it carries an €80 fine.
- The triangles cease to be mandatory as the V16 becomes the legal warning device, with alerts visible in navigation apps such as Google Maps and Waze and in traffic control systems.
- Motorcycles are exempt, and foreign‑registered vehicles must continue using triangles, while Spanish drivers traveling abroad are not legally required to carry the beacon.
- Owners of historic or classic cars, rental fleets, and multi‑car households may rotate a single V16 unit between vehicles as long as it is not used simultaneously.
- The Guardia Civil will enforce compliance, and separate rules still apply such as a €200 fine and four points for exiting a vehicle without a reflective vest during an incident.