Almost 5,000 drivers were fined in the first month of Malaga’s Low Emissions Zone (ZBE), it has emerged, after ir came into force in the city centre in December 2025.
The zone covers more than 400 hectares and restricts access for the most polluting vehicles unless they had been registered in Malaga before the rule took effect.
According to data from the municipal tax agency Gestrisam, nearly 5,000 fines were issued during the first month alone.
In total, 4,894 sanctions were initiated in December, according to figures provided by the city council in response to a question from the Con Malaga municipal group (IU and Podemos). Fines from the first months of 2026 are still being processed.
Each violation is classified as a serious offence, carrying a fine of €200. Drivers who pay early can reduce the penalty by half, to €100.
Based on the December figures alone, Malaga City Council could collect around €1million in penalties.
Notably, foreign-registered vehicles are not currently being fined because the camera system does not yet recognise number plates from outside Spain.
Why the zone exists
Low Emissions Zones are now mandatory in Spanish cities with more than 50,000 residents, following the implementation of European environmental regulations.
In Malaga, the restricted area covers around 437 hectares and includes the city centre, Soho, parts of La Trinidad, Gibralfaro and El Ejido.
The measure is currently being challenged in court by the Vox municipal group, which argues that the local ordinance lacks sufficient technical justification. The legality of the regulation is now awaiting a judicial ruling.
Which vehicles are fined
Vehicles without an environmental label cannot enter the zone unless they were registered in Malaga before November 30, 2024.
To avoid penalties, more than 2,000 vehicles were reportedly registered in Malaga shortly before the rule took effect.
Since this Sunday, any non-Malaga vehicle without an environmental label entering the zone will be fined. In general, this includes petrol cars registered before 2000 and diesel vehicles registered before 2006.
All other vehicles with environmental labels are currently allowed to enter without restriction.
However, the rules will tighten further in December 2026. From that point, vehicles with a “B” environmental label that are not registered in Malaga will also be banned from entering the zone.
That means petrol vehicles registered before 2006 and diesel vehicles registered before 2014 from outside the city will face fines if they enter the restricted area.
Exemptions and special cases
Certain vehicles are exempt from the restrictions, including public transport buses, taxis, ride-hailing vehicles, historic vehicles and trucks.
For vans, the rules are slightly different. During the first four years, vans with “CERO”, “ECO”, “C”, “B” or even no environmental label will still be able to circulate.
From the fifth year onwards, only vans with environmental labels “CERO”, “ECO”, “C” or “B”, as well as unlabeled vans registered in Malaga, will be allowed to enter the zone.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
