ZBE Barcelona: everything you need to know about driving in 2025!

In this article, I explain what you need to know about Barcelona's ZBEthe Low Emission Zone and conditions for entering and driving around the city.

Here you'll find

• A presentation of the Barcelona ZBE
• Rules to follow
• How to obtain a traffic permit
• How much does it cost
• Practical information and useful tips
• And much more!

If you're looking for information about Barcelona's ZBE, you'll love this article.

Follow the guide!

ZBE Barcelona: article summary

ZBE Barcelona: what is it?

If you have planned a stay in Barcelona and are planning to use a car in the capital of Catalonia, you will certainly hear about ZBE.

This acronym stands for Low Emission Zones and designates the metropolitan areas to which access is restricted to polluting vehicles, in order to maintain a high level of environmental protection. correct air quality in city centers.

In France, we speak of FEZ (Zone à Faibles Emissions) and can be found in France's biggest cities, such as Lyon, Paris and Marseille. While in France you need a Crit'Air sticker to drive, the Spanish system is different.

In Barcelona, this ZBE covers the entire central area of Greater BarcelonaThese are areas you're sure to visit as a tourist.

What are the ZBE opening times in Barcelona?

In Barcelona, the ZBE is active between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.From Monday to Friday, vehicles can circulate freely after 8 pm on weekdays and at weekends.

This applies both to Barcelona citizens and to foreign visitors bringing their own vehicles.

Good to know Public holidays: the ZBE is not active on public holidays. This will be the case on 1^er and January 6, during the many local religious festivals, and on October 12, Spain's national holiday.

Are you affected by the Barcelona Low Emission Zone?

If you're planning to visit Barcelona by car (yours, a rental caretc.), you are affected by the restrictions and rules associated with the ZBE. You will therefore need to register onlineas detailed below.

Please note The new eco-sticker: While cars registered in Spain are required to have an eco-sticker in order to circulate, cars registered outside Spain will be exempt.

How do you obtain the right to travel?

If you don't have authorization to drive in Barcelona's ZBE, you'll be illegal. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Here's how to comply and avoid fines.

Register online

Connect to the AMB official website (Area Metropolitana de Barcelona) to register online. It takes about 20-30 minutes, and I recommend you do it from a PCfor improved ergonomics.

Follow the steps, filling in the information requested: country of residence, address, personal details, registration number, category and type of fuel used, and so on. There's nothing complicated about it, with the option of in English.

You will then need to scan your vehicle registration document and an identity document and attach them to the application.

Pay up!

This registration in the files of cars authorized to circulate in the ZBE in Barcelona comes at a cost: 7 euros. You will be redirected to a payment page to finalize your request. Several payment methods are available.

When to do it?

Since the answer can take up to 15 daysPlease make your request well in advance of your visit. visit Barcelona.

However, acceptance can actually be very fast. It's the information mail that takes time and you can :

• Send a message to the service department to ask, the next day, whether the vehicle has been accepted.
• Log in to the site and click on Acceso Usuariosthen insert the registration number of your vehicle. You will then see aceptada if everything is in order

Two little tips to save you time! Otherwise, just wait until you receive an email with information about the validation.

ZBE Barcelona: useful information and recommendations

Here are a few things you need to know about this ZBE.

What is the validity of the ZBE Barcelona permit?

Once you have registered, and as long as your vehicle complies with the standards in force, you will receive authorization to drive in the ZBE in Barcelona. does not expire ! You'll only have to register and pay once.

Which vehicles are not authorized?

In short, vehicles the oldest and most polluting are not accepted in the ZBE. In detail, these are vehicles in categories M1, M2 and M3 / N1, N2 and N3, which do not meet Euro standards (2, 3, 4).

How do I register a rental car at the ZBE Barcelona?

It is possible to register a rental car in the ZBE if this is not done automatically by the rental company.

To do this, you will need to in the same way than with a conventional vehicle. However, if you are planning to drive directly into the center of Barcelona to reach your destination, you will need to call the service (930 333 555) to mention this registration and speed up the validation procedure. your hotel and/or start the tour.

What are the risks of not respecting the ZBE in Barcelona?

You risk a fine, starting at 100 euros and the amount increases for repeat offenders. Keep two things in mind:

• plate control is via camerasso there's no escaping it
• not only should the current BIA encourage you to do things right, but you should also be aware that foreign car inspections are very common in Barcelona. And that these are automatically impounded in the event of a violation, with a minimum fine of 173 euros ... !

I can only invite you not to tempt the devil!