Low Emission Zone
The Barcelona Low Emission Zone comes into force on 1 January 2020. Find out about this atmosphere-protected area which includes all the city between the ring roads and fosters a more sustainable form of mobility for a healthier city. Sanctions for motorcycles and cars go into effect on September 15, 2020.
Find out what happens from 2020
From 1 January 2020, vehicles without a Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) label will not be allowed to circulate on weekdays, from 7 am to 8 pm. In order to enter the Barcelona LEZ, all vehicles with foreign licence plates are first required to apply for authorisation from the Metropolitan Registry of Foreign and Other Authorised Vehicles.
Pollution, a health problem
Atmospheric pollution affects the health of the entire population every day. At the City Council, we are working to improve the quality of the air we breathe to improve life expectancy.
Check your vehicle's environmental label
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Air quality in 12 answers
Is the air we breathe in Barcelona polluted?
What is the Barcelona Ring Roads Low Emission Zone?
What traffic restriction do vehicles without a DGT label have?
How does pollution affect our health?
Which vehicles cannot circulate during a pollution episode?
How can I help to reduce pollution in Barcelona?
Does the restriction apply to vehicles from other provinces and foreign vehicles?
How will I know the right environmental sticker for my vehicle?
What is the Metropolitan T-Verda?
Will professional vehicles without any environmental label be allowed to travel in 2020?
Do the restrictions have a greater effect on people with lower incomes?
What are the planned penalties?
What is the Metropolitan Registry?
What is an air pollution episode?
How do I know if a pollution episode has been announced?
What is the T-Aire?
Is the air we breathe in Barcelona polluted?
Barcelona records pollution levels (particularly suspended particulate matter PM10 and nitrogen dioxide NO2) that are very harmful for people's health and do not comply with WHO recommendations. 98% and 68% of the population, respectively, may be exposed to levels of PM10 and NO2 above those recommended. See the Evaluation of air quality in Barcelona city report compiled by the Barcelona Public Health Agency.
What is the Barcelona Ring Roads Low Emission Zone?
This is a 95 km2 area that includes Barcelona and the municipalities surrounding the ring roads where restrictions on the use of the most polluting vehicles are gradually being introduced. Further information.
What traffic restriction do vehicles without a DGT label have?
As from 1 January 2020, only vehicles with the DGT sticker can circulate in the Barcelona Ring Roads Low Emission Zone on working Mondays to Fridays from 7 am to 8 pm. See the calendar
How does pollution affect our health?
It affects everybody's health but especially that of more sensitive people such as adults with respiratory or heart diseases, pregnant women, the elderly and children under the age of six. Pollution damages the cardiovascular, respiratory, immunological and fertility systems. It contributes to the onset of asthma, slows down the development of the lungs and the brain in children, and generally lowers our quality of life and life expectancy. Further information.
Which vehicles cannot circulate during a pollution episode?
On days when there is a pollution episode with restricted circulation, the following vehicles cannot circulate inside the Barcelona Ring Roads Low Emission Zone: cars without the DGT environmental sticker (petrol-driven cars manufactured prior to Euro 3 and registered before 2000, and diesel-driven cars manufactured prior to Euro 4 and registered before January 2006), vans manufactured prior to Euro 1 (registered before 1 October 1994) and motorbikes, mopeds and quadricycles without aDGT environmental sticker (manufactured prior to Euro 2, registered before 2003). Further information.
How can I help to reduce pollution in Barcelona?
The main source of pollution is the circulation of motor vehicles. This is why it is important that collective habits are adopted that contribute to reducing the emission of pollutants into the air we breathe. Travel preferably on public transport, by bike or on foot. If you have no alternative, use the least polluting car possible or share the journey with other users. Further information.
Does the restriction apply to vehicles from other provinces and foreign vehicles?
Yes. All vehicles that circulate inside the Barcelona Ring Roads Low Emission Zone are subject to the same restrictions irrespective of where they are registered, be it any Spanish province or abroad.
How will I know the right environmental sticker for my vehicle?
The General Directorate of Traffic has classified vehicles according to their environmental behaviour. Only vehicles that meet the minimum expected environmental requirements are issued with the DGT sticker. You can check what your vehicle’s DGT environmental sticker is on the DGT website.
What is the Metropolitan T-Verda?
This is a travel card that gives the holder the right to three years' free public transport within the metropolitan area (1-6 zones) in exchange for scrapping a vehicle considered to be highly pollutant and not buying another one for three years. Further information
Will professional vehicles without any environmental label be allowed to travel in 2020?
Yes. There will be a one-year moratorium for professional vehicles, even if they do not qualify for a DGT environmental label.
Do the restrictions have a greater effect on people with lower incomes?
People on low incomes (incomes under the IPREM income indicator plus 10% of the current IPREM) who use the most polluting vehicles will be allowed to drive them for one year provided that they need them for work. In other words, they will be able to use them until 1 January 2021.
What are the planned penalties?
Infringement of the by-laws of the municipalities affected by the Barcelona Ring Roads LEZ will be subject to fines, starting from €100.
These will be applied from 1 April 2020.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Deferred ZBE sanctions until further notice, within Covid-19 containment measures.
What is the Metropolitan Registry?
This is a registration service provided by the Barcelona Metropolitan Area to process authorisations for using vehicles inside the Barcelona Ring Roads LEZ, in accordance with the current legislation.
What is an air pollution episode?
This occurs when the levels of pollutants in the air (the suspended particulate matter PM10 and/or the gas nitrogen dioxide NO2) recorded in more than one station in the Catalan Atmospheric Pollution Monitoring and Forecasting Network (XVPCA) exceed the set limits and the forecasts do not predict any improvement. In this situation, the Government of Catalonia declares an air pollution episode, as a health and environmental protection measure. See the measures implemented.
How do I know if a pollution episode has been announced?
Through the Barcelona City Council information and public advice channels and the channels of the Government of Catalonia, the AMB and the main public transport operators. On days with restricted circulation, there will also be alerts on the electronic panels located on the express roads and inside the city, and on the signs prohibiting access inside the Barcelona Ring Roads Low Emission Zone on the Barcelona Ring Road exits. Register here for the free pollution alert service by email
What is the T-Aire?
To promote the use of public transport among non-habitual users, when there is a pollution episode which restricts circulation public transport operators offer the T-Aire, a multi-person travel pass for two journeys at the same price as two T-10 journeys. Further information
News
The city's air-quality surveillance and control network is given a boost
25/06/2020 - 16:08 h
Air quality. The station will be making pollution measurements more representative along important transit routes.
New normal: Free circulation and resumption of usual activity with restrictions
19/06/2020 - 12:53 h
COVID-19. New normal allows people to move freely throughout Catalonia, with free circulation throughout Spain allowed since 21 June.
Stage 3: More flexible mobility, more services and new measures for commerce and hospitality
18/06/2020 - 10:10 h
COVID-19. Travel is now possible between healthcare regions on the same stage and time slots for people of different ages have been eliminated.
Fines for the low emissions zone to apply from 15 September
17/06/2020 - 15:06 h
Mobility and transport. Fines will be given for vehicles circulating in the LEZ without an environmental rating badge.
