Parking in Low Emissions Zone (ZBE)

As of January 1, 2020, a new traffic restriction was imposed in Barcelona: the Low Emission Zone or ZBE. However, as January 1 is a national holiday, the ZBE became effective from January 2, 2020. 

The first few months were a trial period to get used to the ZBE, as vehicles passing through the ZBE did not receive a fine, but an informative note. As of April 1, 2020, they started to fine for entering the ZBE.

Why has it been implemented?

Barcelona has high pollution levels that are harmful to everyone.Thus, as it does not comply with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, this zone has been imposed to improve air quality. 

Where?

The Low Emissions Zone covers the city of Barcelona (except for the Industrial Zone, the Vallvidrera neighborhood, Tibadabo, and les Planes), as well as L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Adrià del Besòs, part of Esplugues de Llobregat, Cornellà de Llobregat and Badalona. 

What are the penalties for accessing the ZBE without a permit?

 As for the amount of the fine for accessing the ZBE, it will range from 100€ to 1800€. 

Which vehicles CAN access the ZBE? 

All vehicles that have the label CERO, ECO, C or B of the DGT. Vehicles that do not have an environmental sticker will be banned from accessing the entire Low Emission Zone of Barcelona. There are vehicles that are not affected by the ZBE. These are the exceptions:

• Vehicles of persons with reduced mobility, but need to be registered. The fee is free of charge and is activated automatically.
• Emergency services and essential services (medical, funeral parlour), but need to register. The fee is free of charge and is activated automatically.
• Unique vehicles (cranes, workshop, trade fair vehicles, driving schools, armoured vehicles, RTV, library, shop, concrete mixer, asphalt sprinkler, band painting).
• Vehicles for transporting people with illnesses that prevent them from using public transport.

Special authorisations: 

• A maximum of 10 authorisations are allowed per year, valid 24h.
• Temporary authorisation for people on low incomes.
• The application is made through the Metropolitan Register of Foreign Vehicles and Other Authorised Vehicles.

Which vehicles will NOT be allowed access to the EPZ? 

The most polluting vehicles, i.e. those vehicles that do not have a DGT label, such as the following: 

• petrol cars (including taxis) registered before 2000 and diesel cars registered before 2006.
• petrol vans registered before 2000 and diesel vans registered before 2006.
• motorbikes, mopeds and quadricycles registered before 2003.
• buses and coaches registered before 2007.
• small trucks and coaches registered before 2007.

I have a foreign number plate, do I need to ask for permission to enter the EPZ?

Absolutely yes. It is compulsory to register your vehicle. If your vehicle complies with the requirements of the DGT signs, you will be given an authorisation to be able to circulate freely. You will have to register your vehicle at least 15 days before your arrival, as the processing usually takes about 15 working days after the application. The processing fee is €7. For vehicles with sporadic access there is a fee for the use of each daily authorisation which is published annually. Normally €5 per day for cars and motorbikes and €6 for vans and trucks. 
Once registration is accepted, 24 driving days per year will be granted, counting from the date of the resolution of the dossier. There are also long-term permits equivalent to 2 years. To register your vehicle you can do so here.

Top 4 car parks outside the ZBE for those who forget to register

1	Gavá	Mercat de Gavá
2	Santa Coloma de Gramenet	Garage Marc
3	Molins de Rei	SABA Plaça el Mercat
4	Rubí	Mercat de Rubí Parkia