Malaga’s long-planned Low Emission Zone (ZBE) finally comes into force on November 30, a year after the scheme was approved.
The zone will restrict the most polluting vehicles from entering dozens of streets in the centre of the city.
The affected roads are monitored by cameras and drivers who enter the prohibited areas with non-permitted vehicles will be fined (see all affected streets below).
The area encompasses more than 400 hectares, with around 206,500 vehicles entering daily.
Who can enter the ZBE?
Vehicles registered in Malaga city are always allowed to enter, even without an environmental label.
Vehicles registered outside Malaga are allowed as long as they are carrying a DGT environmental sticker.
The permitted stickers are ‘O emissions’, ‘Eco’, ‘C’ and ‘B’.
What about service vans and vehicles?
Service vans may enter the low emissions zone even without a sticker and even if registered elsewhere.
Ambulances, fire services, police, taxis, VTC vehicles, cleaning trucks and refuse lorries all have unrestricted access, regardless of sticker or place of registration.
Do Malaga city residents need to buy a sticker?
No. The city will use automatic number-plate recognition cameras at ZBE entry points. The system cross-checks vehicle registration data directly with the DGT.
Drivers can check their vehicle’s environmental label on the DGT website.
Fines of €200 for unauthorised entry
Entering the ZBE without meeting requirements is classified as a serious offence carrying a €200 fine (reduced to €100 for prompt payment).
The council estimates that around 1% of daily vehicles will be fined, with expected annual revenue from sanctions to reach €11.67 million.
Some 12.7% of Malaga’s total vehicle fleet will face restrictions, equating to around 26,281 cars, motorbikes and vans.
Restrictions will tighten in 2026
From November 2026, vehicles labelled B and registered outside Malaga will also be banned.
Vehicles with no badge from outside Malaga will remain prohibited.
Labels 0, ECO and C will continue to have full access.
The streets included in Malaga’s low emission zone
- Paseo Maritimo Antonio Machado
- Av. Ingeniero José María Garnica
- Explanada de la Estación
- Plaza de la Solidaridad
- Av. de las Américas
- Av. de la Aurora
- Jardines de Picasso
- Av. de Andalucía
- C/ Compositor Lehmberg Ruiz
- C/ Hilera
- C/ Santa Elena
- C/ Honduras
- C/ Arango
- C/ Martínez Maldonado
- Av. de Barcelona
- Plaza del Hospital Civil
- Av. Doctor Gálvez Ginachero
- C/ Mazarredo
- Av. del Arroyo de los Angeles
- Paseo de Martiricos
- C/ Huerto de los Claveles
- C/ Marqués de Cádiz
- C/ Juan del Encina
- C/ Empecinado
- Plaza Capuchinos
- Alameda de Capuchinos
- Plaza Olletas
- C/ Toquero
- C/ Obispo González Garcia
- C/ Amargura
- C/ Ferrándiz
- Paseo Salvador Rueda
- C/ Rafael Pérez Estrada
- Paseo Marítimo Pablo Ruiz Picasso.
