Environmental Windscreen Stickers (Distintivos Ambientales)

Spain has recently rolled out new environmental stickers for vehicles as part of its push to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner transportation. These stickers, also known as "distintivos ambientales," are issued by the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) and categorize vehicles based on their emissions.

Low Emision Zones

The primary goal is to help local governments implement traffic restrictions in areas with high pollution levels, such as Low Emission Zones (ZBE's) in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. The stickers aim to encourage the use of eco-friendly vehicles by allowing them greater access to city centers while restricting higher-polluting ones.

Types of Sticker and Their Use

There are four main types of stickers, each corresponding to a different category of vehicle emissions.

1. 🔵 Zero emissions badge (blue)

The Zero Emissions sticker (blue) is for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles that emit little to no pollutants. Vehicles with this sticker are granted the most privileges, including unrestricted access to LEZs and sometimes free or discounted parking.

Battery electric vehicles (BEV)
Extended range electric vehicles (REEV)
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) with a minimum range of 40 km
Fuel cell vehicles

2. 🌎 Eco badge, (green and blue)

The ECO sticker (blue and green) applies to hybrid, gas, and other low-emission vehicles. These vehicles can access many restricted areas, though they may face some limitations during periods of extreme pollution.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles with a range of less than 40 km
Non-plug-in hybrid vehicles (HEV)
Natural gas-powered vehicles
Vehicles powered by natural gas (CNG and LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

3. 🟢 C badge, (green)

The C sticker (green) is for gasoline vehicles registered from 2006 onwards and diesel vehicles from 2014 onwards. While these vehicles are allowed in most areas, they may face restrictions in more environmentally sensitive zones.

Petrol passenger cars and light vans registered from January 2006.
Diesel passenger cars and light vans registered from 2014.
Vehicles with more than 8 seats and heavy vehicles, petrol or diesel, registered from 2014.
Petrol vehicles must comply with the Euro 4,5 and 6 standards, and diesel vehicles with Euro 6.

4. 🟡 B badge, (yellow)

Lastly, the B sticker (yellow) is for older gasoline vehicles (registered from 2000-2006) and diesel vehicles from 2006-2014, which may have the most limited access to low emission zones and could be subject to greater restrictions, especially in high-pollution periods.

Petrol passenger cars and light vans registered from January 2000.
Diesel passenger cars and light vans registered from January 2006.
Vehicles with more than 8 seats and heavy vehicles, petrol or diesel, registered from 2005.
Petrol vehicles must comply with the Euro 4,5 and 6 standards, and diesel vehicles with Euro 6. The Euro 3 standard must be met, and diesel Euro 4 and 5.

Free Emissions Sticker

If you are importing a vehicle with us, using our company to transfer the ownership of your vehicle, insuring your vehicle with us or are coming to us for your ITV test, we will supply you with the correct sticker for your vehicle free of charge. For everyone else, it's just 5 euros!

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