If you’re visiting Barcelona by car and staying in a holiday apartment, it’s important to understand how the ZBE (Zona de Bajas Emisiones) – Low Emission Zone works. Barcelona restricts the circulation of the most polluting vehicles, and some cars need to pay for a special permit before entering the city.
1. What is the ZBE?
The ZBE Rondes de Barcelona is a large Low Emission Zone covering more than 95 km² of the city and some surrounding municipalities.
The aim is to reduce pollution by limiting access to older, more polluting vehicles.
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, from 7:00 to 20:00. Outside these hours, the restriction is not active.
2. Which vehicles are NOT allowed to enter without permission?
* Cars without an environmental sticker (Spanish vehicles): Petrol cars registered before 2000; Diesel cars registered before 2006
* Older motorbikes and mopeds:Registered before 2003
* Foreign vehicles: y default, foreign number plates are NOT recognised by Barcelona’s system. They must be registered on the official ZBE platform. If they do not meet emission standards, they will need a paid 24-hour permit.
3. Vehicles that CAN enter freely
CERO (electric & plug-in hybrid); ECO; C (green sticker); B (yellow sticker); Most rental cars in Spain already meet the requirements.
4.How can foreign vehicles or non-compliant vehicles apply?
According to the City of Barcelona, registration and authorisation can be requested through:
* Online application (requires digital identification)
* In-person application (processing time required)
* Postal application (form submission by mail)
Please note that these procedures are not immediate and should be completed before arriving in Barcelona.
5. The ZBE daily permit (for non-authorised vehicles)
If your car does not meet the environmental requirements, you can still enter Barcelona by purchasing a 24-hour authorization. The cost Cost €5 per day aprox.
Conditions: Maximum 10 days per year per vehicle. Must be requested before entering the ZBE. Valid for one calendar day only. This applies to both Spanish and foreign vehicles that do not comply.
6. What happens if you enter without permission?
Cameras control the entire ZBE area and automatically check licence plates.If your car is not authorised: You may receive a fine between €100 and €500.
7. Tips for tourists coming by car
1. Register your foreign vehicle.If your car is not Spanish, you must register it online so the system can verify whether it meets the standards.
2. If needed, buy the 24-hour pass. Don’t wait until the last minute — request it before arriving.
3. Avoid driving during restricted hours. If your car is old or non-compliant, you can enter or move around: At night. On weekends. On public holidays
4. Plan where to park. Barcelona is difficult for street parking. Private car parks (BSM, SABA, Parclick) are usually the best option.
5. Watch for restricted streets. Some areas have: Bus-only lanes. Superblocks (Superilles). Local-access streets. All monitored by cameras.
8. Official information
For updated rules, registration and official instructions, please consult the City of Barcelona and Metropolitan Area websites:
🔗 ZBE Barcelona – Official information https://zbe.barcelona/en/
🔗 Vehicle registration and authorisations (AMB) https://zberegistre.ambmobilitat.cat/en/
