Overview
- From 1 January 2026, the V16 beacon is mandatory on Spanish motorways and expressways only for vehicles registered in Spain.
- The device sends the vehicle’s location to the DGT via an integrated SIM with updates reported about every 100 seconds and its yellow flash is visible up to roughly one kilometre.
- Only units on the official DGT list with a unique approval number are permitted, with reported prices around €30–€60 and a battery designed to blink for at least 1.5 hours.
- Spanish-registered rental cars must be equipped by the lessor, and drivers of Spain-registered vehicles without a compliant V16 face fines of up to €200.
- Foreign-registered cars may continue using a warning triangle, the triangle remains permitted on other Spanish roads, and V16 connectivity does not transmit data outside Spain.