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Spain’s Low-Emission Zones Tighten, Stall or Shift as Madrid’s Fine Haul Hits Record

Court setbacks, funding snags and pollution-response plans are shaping how each city applies the rules.

Overview

  • Madrid booked €191.3 million from traffic sanctions in the first half of 2025, with ZBE access violations driving a 94.6% jump in M‑30 camera fines as the city operates more than 400 access-control cameras.
  • Automovilistas Europeos Asociados highlights a wave of rulings voiding ZBE penalties over deficient signage, noting the Madrid High Court annulled special-protection ZBEs and the city’s cassation bid awaits Supreme Court admission.
  • Vitoria’s ZBE has been active since 15 September with warnings issued to roughly 70–80 irregular entrants daily, and €200 fines are scheduled to begin on 15 December.
  • Valencia approved its ZBE ordinance and a network of 278 cameras at 68 checkpoints, but the start of enforcement planned for 1 December is on hold due to budget issues, with restrictions based on DGT labels starting with vehicles without a label.
  • Santiago formally recognized its historic center as a ZBE allowing total vehicle closures during declared pollution episodes, while Vigo’s rollout slipped past its 1 November first phase with no signage installed and the plan still in administrative processing.