Madrid is one of the cities with more controversy in the area of circulation restrictions. It has long been mandatory for localities with more than 50,000 inhabitants to establish a ZBE (low emissions zone) that contributes to improving air quality. Some opt for small areas and then there was the capital, which excluded unmarked cars of practically its entire municipal area starting in 2025. Now it seems that some vehicles will be able to survive the ban.
The estimates spoke of around 1.2 million cars affectedwhich are those without a label registered in Madrid. The controversy was such that even the Superior Court of Justice rejected this measure. Now it seems that it will continue, but there will be a one year moratorium for fines. The City Council confirms that the ZBE is here to stay, but establishes that 2025 will be a year in which only users will be notified that they are not complying.
They are established twelve month notice period in which those cars without a label that are registered in the capital or registered with the Mechanical Traction Vehicle Tax (IVTM) will be able to continue circulating. Until December 31, 2025, if they are caught on camera, they will receive a communication by letter to their home for information purposes, but they will be exempt from the fine of 200 euros that corresponds to its non-compliance. Therefore, 2026 will be the year in which the most “polluting” vehicles will no longer be able to circulate in Madrid.
These are gasoline before 2001 and diesel before 2006 that do not have a label, with only a handful of exceptions to be avoided. Another novelty of the Madrid City Council is that it adds three types of temporary access authorizations. In addition to vehicles for People with Reduced Mobility (PMR) and historic vehicles being exempt, the following will also be exempt:
- Self-employed persons or sole proprietorships aged 59 and over with 50% of their fleet (or more) being unlabelled vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes.
- Owners of vehicles without a label who need them for transport to medical and hospital centers (access will have to be requested by registration).
- Temporary access to untagged cars if the user has purchased a low-emission car and has not yet received it.
The Cambia 360 Grants are also continuing, which will provide a 2,000-euro subsidy for the purchase of a new vehicle in the case of scrapping one without an environmental mark. Enter those with ECO or ZERO label and there is also aid in other areas such as environmental mobility bonuses.
