Knowing about traffic rules, fines and toll roads in Spain will help you avoid trouble and make your journey comfortable and safe. Find out what a driver needs to know before travelling to Spain

Issuing a Green Card policy for travelling abroad by car

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Spain is one of the most popular European countries for tourism. Tens of millions of tourists visit the country every year. Some of them arrive in Spain by plane and train, but some of them travel by their own car. But to comfortably spend time in this country, drivers need to know all the nuances of traffic rules and other facts about the roads of Spain. 

First of all, we want to note that the country has a fairly developed road infrastructure, but also there are strict traffic rules.

The main traffic rules in Spain

The speed limit in Spain is similar to the generally accepted European rules:

🔻In populated areas - 50 km/h.

🔻 Outside populated areas - 90 km/h.

🔻 On motorways - 120 km/h.

Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts, and children under 12 years of age or less than 135 cm tall must be in a child seat.

It is prohibited to talk on the phone while driving, but the use of hands-free phones is acceptable.

As for alcohol, the permissible blood alcohol level is 0.5 ppm for regular drivers and 0.3 ppm for drivers with less than two years' driving experience and professional drivers.

There are also specific road rules in Spain that drivers may not even be aware of. For example, snacking, kissing and loud music are prohibited while driving.

Spain is a right-hand drive country.

Toll roads and tunnels

Spain, like many EU countries, has a developed system of toll roads. In this country roads are paid for the distance travelled, the amount depends on the category of vehicle.

The toll system is built in such a way that different roads, and sometimes different sections of the same road, are maintained by different companies.

To give you an example, we have chosen the most expensive destinations on these roads:

- AP-68 Bilbao - Zaragoza (€33.75);

- AP-36 Ocaña - La Roda (€13.60);

- AP-66 León - Campomanes (€13.75);

- AP-8 Bilbao - Behobia (French border) (€12.35 + 2.85);

- AP-6 Villalba - Adanero (€13.35).

In addition, there are sections in Spain with special tolls. These mainly include tunnels such as:

- Cadi Tunnel, which is located in the province of Barcelona. Its length is about 5 kilometres. You will have to pay 13.92 euros for a car, 30.39 euros for a lorry and 11.22 euros for a motorbike.

- The Vallvidrera Tunnel is 2.5 kilometres long and is located in the province of Barcelona. Toll prices are: for cars €5.04 (rush hour), €4.48 (other times), for trucks €7.93 and €7.05 respectively, and for motorbikes €3.93 and €3.49.

- Artxanda tunnels from the city of Bilbao to the north. There are three tunnels in total and they form a triangle. The fare is about 1.5 euros.

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Fines for traffic offences in Spain

Fines in Spanish translates as Multa. If you hear this word, it means you have broken something!

The most common offences that attract fines in Spain are:

Speeding. Spain has a point system of penalties for traffic offences. A minor speeding offence will cost the driver around 100 euros, with no loss of points. A more severe offence for speeding from 30 km/hour will cost 300 euros and the loss of two points. Very serious speeding offences in Spain are punishable by a fine of 600 euros.

Drunk driving is a fairly serious offence that can lead to criminal proceedings. On average, for such an offence, the driver will have to pay between 500 and 1000 euros, depending on the degree of intoxication.

Unbuckled seat belt, as well as failure to use a child seat can deprive the driver of 200 euros for each offence.

Mobile phone use. If you are spotted with a phone near your ear, you could face a fine of €200.

What other traffic violations there are in Spain and what punishment they are provided for, read in our material.

Compulsory documents

To enter Spain by car, you must have:

- passport;

- driving licence;

- vehicle registration documents;

- international insurance policy "Green Card".

In the absence of any of these documents, the person will not be allowed to cross the border. In the absence of compulsory international insurance, the driver may be fined. 

You can quickly and easily apply for a Green Card on the Visit Ukraine portal. Follow the link and issue an insurance policy for the required period in just a couple of minutes. Ready insurance will be sent to your email immediately.

We remind you! Ukrainians in Spain can get or extend temporary protection, which is valid until 4 March 2025. However, to live in this country you also need a TIE identity card. How to obtain or extend it, if you have it, read here.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Darya Rogova is the head of the Visit Ukraine insurance department

A Green Card is not only a mandatory document for traveling abroad by car, but also a guarantee of financial security and safety for the driver and passengers. To avoid risks and fines, take out international insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal. We cooperate only with reliable insurance agents.