Low-emissions zone fines from December in Malaga

Malaga’s Low Emission Zone (ZBE), which covers 404 hectares, will begin imposing fines on non-compliant vehicles starting December 1, 2025. 

The ZBE, implemented on November 30 under Malaga’s Sustainable Mobility Ordinance, as impulsed by the European Commission’s recommendations to the EU Parliament on enforcing Low Emissions Zones in towns of a 50,000 population or more, is designed to improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and promote environmentally friendly transport by limiting private vehicle use, mostly old cars, and encouraging public transport and low-emission vehicles.

Do you have a window sticker for low-emissions zone in Malaga?

From December 1, vehicles without an environmental sticker, whether low emission or not (CERO, ECO, C, or B), and not registered in Malaga will face a €200 fine for driving into the city, something classified as a “serious infraction”. During the ZBE’s first year, all vehicles have been able to circulate freely, but the second year, from December 2025, stricter rules come into force. Only vehicles, which are registered in Malaga, will be permitted. From the third year onwards, these restrictions tighten further, not allowing certain older vehicles.

There are some vehicles that are exempt from restrictions, including public transport, smokey tourist coaches, diesel-chugging tourist buses, EMT buses, taxis, VTCs, registered historic vehicles, and lorries. Vans (deliveries, plumbers, and the like) which can circulate freely for the first four years, but from the fifth year, only those with CERO, ECO, C, or B labels, or those registered in Malaga under special exceptions, will be allowed. Emergency vehicles, emergency services, council services, and essential private services (e.g., private security, plumbing, and funeral services) can access the ZBE after pre-registered verification.

Where is the low-emissions zone in Malaga?

The ZBE, which is bounded by streets like Paseo Marítimo Antonio Machado, Avenida de Andalucía, and Paseo Salvador Rueda, uses AI licence plate recognition systems connected to the DGT and council databases to enforce restrictions. Drivers can check their vehicle’s environmental classification on the DGT website, with labels ranging from CERO (electric vehicles) to B (older combustion vehicles meeting specific EURO standards).

Malaga’s ZBE is following in line with Spain’s Climate Change and Energy Transition Law (7/2021), which orders towns and cities with over 50,000 inhabitants to adopt sustainable mobility plans. Funded partly by a €5.16 million grant from the Next Generation EU funds, the ZBE is part of Malaga’s obligation to reduce emissions, electric mobility, and improving transport efficiency, following EU directives on air pollution control.