Low Emission Zone
The Low Emission Zone (LEZ, ZBE in the local languages) 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.
Find out what's happening in 2020
From 1 January 2020, vehicles without a Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) sticker will not be allowed to circulate on weekdays. This measure is one of the initiatives to ensure that emissions of pollutants which damage people’s health and the environment are reduced.
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
Would you like to recive informations when the air pollution is activated?
Most searched services
Air quality in 12 answers
Is the air we breathe in Barcelona polluted?
What is the Barcelona Ring Roads Low Emission Zone?
What is the T-Aire?
What will happen in 2020 with the restriction on vehicles with no DGT badge?
How does pollution affect our health?
What is an air pollution episode?
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 do I know if a pollution episode has been announced?
How will I know the right environmental sticker for my vehicle?
What is the Metropolitan T-Verda?
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 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
What will happen in 2020 with the restriction on vehicles with no DGT badge?
Yes. 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.
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.
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 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
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
News
Final text regulating the LEZ to give a new one-year reprieve for those most at risk
10/12/2019 - 17:24 h
Pollution. The definitive text will be voted on in December’s full council meeting and come into force on 1 January 2020.
Traffic the main cause of pollution in the city
27/11/2019 - 13:51 h
Pollution. Some 60% of NO2 comes from traffic, which emits particles that can reach the brain and, in the case of pregnant women, the foetus.
Come along to the information sessions and resolve you doubts about the Low Emissions Zone
22/11/2019 - 13:03 h
LEZ Ring Roads BCN. Barcelona City Council will be organising information sessions in the city’s districts between 25 November and 19 December.
Barcelona explains its commitment to the livening up of urban spaces at the Smart City Expo World Congress
19/11/2019 - 11:27 h
Smart City. From 19 to 21 November, Barcelona City Council will take part in the Smart City Expo World Congress to present some of the city’s mobility and sustainability projects and initiatives.
