Rules and laws in Spain (2026)
Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Every topic we cover for Spain. Each rule links to its official source.
Driving
Car insurance and green cards
Spanish customs may check and require insurance for cars from non-EEA states outside the green card agreement. Cars based in other EEA states may face non-systematic insurance checks.
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Car speed limits
Cars may do 90 km/h on conventional roads and 120 km/h on motorways and autovías. In towns the limit is 20, 30 or 50 km/h depending on the street.
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Distinguishing sign on cars
A foreign-registered car must carry its country's oval sign at the rear in Spain according to the Reglamento General de Vehículos. The sign on the left of an EU plate is recognised under Regulation (EC) No 2411/98.
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Drink-driving limits
Spain sets the limit at 0.05% blood alcohol (0.5 g/l), and 0.03% for novice and professional drivers. Criminal cases can bring up to 6 months in prison and a ban of 1 to 4 years.
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Driving after drugs
Driving with drugs present in the body is an offence, with no numeric limit. Substances taken under prescription for treatment are excluded if the driver can still drive safely.
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E-bikes and speed pedelecs
A pedal-assisted bicycle (250 W, assistance up to 25 km/h) is a bicycle and needs no registration. Faster vehicles are motor vehicles that must be approved, registered and insured, with a helmet and a driving licence.
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E-scooters
Personal mobility vehicles (VMP) must be certified, registered with the DGT and carry an ID label and compulsory insurance. Riders must be 15 or older and wear a helmet, and may not ride on pavements.
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Foreign driving licences
EU/EEA permits are valid while in force, with a two-year renewal rule for permits without a normal expiry. Permits from outside the EU/EEA are valid for six months from entry or from residence.
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Minimum age for a car driving licence
The minimum age for class B is 18, and no accompanied-driving scheme below 18 exists yet. Permits from outside the EU or EEA must meet the age required in Spain for the equivalent permit.
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Mopeds
A ciclomotor needs an AM permit, for which the minimum age is 15. A helmet and compulsory insurance are required, and the moped must be registered.
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Motorcycles: helmets and licences
Riders and passengers must wear an approved helmet on all roads, and motorcycles must keep the dipped beam on by day. Minimum ages are 16 (A1), 18 (A2) and 20 for category A after two years on A2.
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Road tolls and vignettes
Spain has toll motorways with toll booths, where payment is made in cash or by bank card. The DGT says the same journey can be made without charge on a conventional road.
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Seat belts and child seats
Seat belts are compulsory. Minors of 135 cm or less must use an approved child restraint and sit in the rear seats, with three exceptions.
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Towing trailers and caravans
A car with a trailer or caravan may drive at most 90 km/h on autopistas and autovías. A trailer over 750 kg needs the B96 authorisation or B+E, depending on the combination mass.
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Using a mobile phone while driving
Using a mobile phone while driving is banned unless it is hands-free and without helmets or headphones. Holding the phone is a serious offence with a EUR 200 fine and 6 points.
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Travel
Air passenger rights
Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 applies to flights departing from Spain, with compensation of EUR 250, 400 or 600 by distance. The national enforcement body is Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA).
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Customs allowances for tobacco and alcohol
Spanish law presumes commercial holding above 800 cigarettes, 10 litres of spirits, 90 litres of wine and 110 litres of beer bought in other EU states. From third countries the franchise is 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits over 22%, 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer.
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Health cover for temporary visitors
The EHIC covers public, state-provided healthcare only. Private providers, repatriation and planned treatment are not covered.
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Identity documents
The DNI is compulsory from age 14 and must be shown when an authority requires it. Foreign nationals must carry their identity document.
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Meat and dairy imports
Meat and dairy can be carried between EU states. From third countries they are prohibited, subject to the exceptions in the EU regulation.
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Minors travelling: documents
A Spanish minor needs a passport, or a DNI where the destination accepts it. A signed travel permit is required when the minor travels without a parent or guardian.
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Rail passenger rights
Regulation (EU) 2021/782 applies, with compensation of 25 % of the ticket price from 60 minutes and 50 % from 120 minutes. The Ministry of Transport is the national enforcement body.
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Short stays (90/180-day rule)
Visitors from the UK do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Non-EU nationals on short stays are recorded in the Entry/Exit System.
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Tax-free shopping for visitors
Residents of countries outside the EU can get VAT back on goods bought in mainland Spain or the Balearic Islands if they leave the EU within three months of the purchase. Customs validates the refund document; a collaborating entity or the shop pays.
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Travelling with personal medicines
Travellers may carry personal medication, and narcotic or psychotropic medicines above a set quantity need a permit from the Spanish health authorities. The maximum for travel to Spain is three months of treatment, or 15 days for cannabis.
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Travelling with pets
Spain applies the EU rules for dogs, cats and ferrets: microchip, rabies vaccination and a pet passport or health certificate, with up to 5 animals per vehicle. National breed rules and special entry rules have not been verified yet.
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Living
Deposit return schemes and plastic bags
Spain bans free plastic bags, with set exceptions, and allows light bags only if compostable. A deposit system is required by law if collection targets are missed.
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Dual nationality
Spanish naturalisation requires renouncing the previous nationality, except for nationals of listed countries. Spanish nationals living abroad who acquire another nationality lose Spanish nationality after three years unless they declare otherwise.
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Home education
Basic education is compulsory from 6 to 16 and home education is not a general option. Home or hospital instruction is authorised only exceptionally for health reasons.
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Maximum working time
Ordinary working time is 40 hours per week on average over a year and 9 hours per day unless an agreement says otherwise. There must be 12 hours between shifts and one and a half days of weekly rest.
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Naturalisation by residence
Naturalisation by residence needs ten years of residence in general, with shorter periods for some groups. It also needs the DELE A2 and CCSE tests and a declaration renouncing the previous nationality, with exceptions.
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Paid holiday
The Workers' Statute sets a minimum of 30 calendar days of paid annual leave. Public holidays may not exceed 14 a year, of which two are local.
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Registering residence for longer stays
Citizens of EU/EEA states staying more than three months must apply in person to the Registro Central de Extranjeros within three months of entry. A registration certificate is issued immediately.
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Smoke alarms in homes
The national building code requires a fire detection and alarm system in residential buildings only where the evacuation height exceeds 50 m. For lower buildings it lists no such system. Regional and municipal rules were not checked.
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State pension age
The retirement age is 67 years from 2027, or 65 years with at least 38 years and 6 months of contributions; in 2026 it is 66 years and 10 months, or 65 years with 38 years and 3 months. Early retirement is possible up to 2 or 4 years before in set cases.
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Statutory minimum wage
Spain has a statutory minimum wage (SMI), set each year by the government. For 2026 it is €1,221 per month in 14 payments.
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Restrictions
Cannabis
Possession alone is not a crime, but using or holding drugs in public places is an administrative offence with fines of €601 to €30,000. Cultivation and trafficking are criminal offences.
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Drones
Spain applies the EU drone rules, with its own rules in Royal Decree 517/2024. Operators register with AESA, and pilots of most drones need AESA's free online A1/A3 certificate.
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Fireworks
Fireworks may not be sold to anyone below 12 (F1), 16 (F2) or 18 (F3), and the same ages apply to use. Sale periods and local use bans were not confirmed from national rules.
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Knives and pepper spray
Spain prohibits carrying bladed weapons outside the home, workplace and sports activities. Non-automatic knives over 11 cm and unapproved defence sprays are prohibited.
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Tobacco and nicotine age limits
Tobacco may not be sold to under-18s. Smoking is banned in enclosed public places and collective transport.
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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.