Toll roads (peajes) in Spain and how to pay

Key rules

• AP or A: AP roads charge tolls, while A roads (autovías) are free.
• Payment: Cash, cards and Via-T are accepted, but pick the lane that matches how you pay.
• Unpaid toll: Contact the operator quickly, or it can add a surcharge and may report you for a fine.
• Current list: Tolled sections change as contracts expire, so check before you travel.

Which roads charge tolls

Toll motorways have the letters AP and the word peaje. Free motorways are called autovías and have the letter A. If you want to avoid tolls, choose the autovía.

Main toll roads you may meet:

• AP-7 along the Mediterranean, tolled in Catalonia and some parts of Valencia, Murcia and Andalucía.
• AP-6, AP-51 and AP-61 toward Madrid.
• AP-9 in Galicia.
• AP-8 and AP-68 in the Basque Country. The AP-68 also runs through Aragon and La Rioja.
• AP-1 in Burgos–Álava.
• The Madrid radial toll roads R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and the M-12.

Many tolls have ended as contracts expired. The AP-7 Tarragona–Valencia and Alicante–Murcia sections have been free since 2019–2020. The AP-4 Seville–Cádiz and AP-1 Burgos–Armiñón were freed in 2019–2021. Some AP-7 sections in Catalonia have had discounts or been freed since the end of 2021.

The main corridors A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-7 and A-8 are free autovías. Because the list keeps changing, check the current tolled sections with the Ministry of Transport before a long trip.

How to pay

You can pay with cash, a debit or credit card, or a Via-T tag. Look at the lane signs before you enter:

• Green "Via-T" lane: for the tag.
• Card symbol: for card payments.
• Hand or coin symbol: for cash or manual payment.

Some booths have unattended machines. Some operators also offer an app or online account. Accepted methods differ by operator, so carry both a card and some cash.

How Via-T works

Via-T is an electronic tag on your windscreen. You drive through the green lane and the toll is charged automatically. It works on most Spanish and Portuguese toll roads.

Banks and toll operators issue it. You apply with your ID, your vehicle's plate and a bank account. The toll is billed monthly by direct debit. Many issuers charge nothing for the device, or only a small fee, and a monthly fee only in months you use it. Fees vary, so compare issuers. The tag needs a bank account, so the FAQ below covers what to do without a Spanish one.

If you pass without paying

Passing a booth without paying is an infraction. Act quickly:

1. If you have no funds at the booth, ask the staff for a ticket to pay later.
2. Contact the operator and pay at the booth office or online. You will need your plate and ticket. The deadline is often a few days, but each operator sets its own.
3. If you do not pay, the operator can claim the toll plus a surcharge. It may also report the offence for a fine.

The timeline below shows the same steps in order.

Timeline and deadlines

• Pass a toll booth without paying, or without funds: at the booth

• Ask booth staff for a ticket to pay later, if you have no funds: at the booth

• Contact the operator and pay at the booth office or online, using your plate and ticket: within a few days of passing the booth

• If you do not pay, the operator can claim the toll with a surcharge and may report the offence for a fine: after the payment period ends

Checklist

• Check whether your route uses a toll motorway (AP) or a free autovía (A).

• Check the current list of tolled sections with the Ministry of Transport, because some concessions have expired and become free.

• Pick the right lane: green Via-T lane for the tag, card symbol for cards, hand or coin symbol for cash.

• Carry a card and some cash in case a lane or machine does not accept your first choice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a Via-T tag without a Spanish bank account?

Usually no, because Via-T is normally requested through a bank or toll operator and billed monthly by direct debit from a Spanish bank account. You give your ID, your vehicle plate and your bank account details. Until you have an account, pay at the booth by card or cash.

Does a Via-T tag cost money?

Often the device is free or costs only a small amount, depending on who issues it. Some issuers charge a monthly fee only in months when you use it. Ask your bank or operator before you sign up.

What should I do if I have no cash or funds when I reach the booth?

Ask the booth staff for help, because they can give you a ticket to pay later. Keep that ticket, then pay at the operator's office or online using your plate and ticket.

Can I pay a toll with a phone app or online account?

Yes, some operators offer apps or online accounts for toll payment, but not all of them do. Unattended machines are also used at some booths. Check which options your operator offers before your trip.