Madrid is preparing to veto the circulation of around 400,000 cars in 2026, a huge restriction that will especially affect vehicles without an environmental sticker (especially those classified as label A in the DGT, i.e., gasoline registered before 2000 and diesel before 2006). This measure, which will be applied throughout the Low Emission Zone (ZBE) of the municipality, will mean a before and after in Madrid’s mobility, making many drivers have to leave their cars at home and look for alternatives.
Until now, cars without a label could only circulate in Madrid if they were registered (owner and vehicle) and paid the tax in the city, enjoying an extension or moratorium on penalties until December 31, 2025. However, as of January 1, 2026, no car without an environmental label will be allowed to circulate within the ZBE, not even for Madrid residents. The control cameras will start fining (200 € per infraction) and the owners of these vehicles will have to look for urgent solutions.
Exceptions to the traffic ban
The only exceptions will be for historic vehicles (they can circulate a few days a year with special authorization), emergency cars or those destined to transport people with reduced mobility duly registered. Thus, type A vehicles are excluded, as well as polluting motorcycles and vans, except in those rare cases. In addition, cars with B and C labels (gasoline since 2001 or diesel since 2006) will be allowed to circulate and park in Madrid, although with certain restrictions in some special protection zones such as Madrid Central or Plaza Elíptica.
To find out if your car will be banned, just check the environmental sticker assigned by the DGT. If you do not have a sticker, or your license plate corresponds to a model prior to the years mentioned above, your vehicle will be affected by the ban. In case of doubt, you can consult the DGT website with your license plate or the municipal website on Low Emission Zones.