Speed limits and speed cameras in Spain

Key rules

• Variable limits: A displayed variable or temporary limit overrides the fixed signs on that stretch.
• Criminal speeding: Driving more than 60 km/h over the limit in towns, or more than 80 km/h over it on other roads, is a crime.
• Camera margin: The error margin is deducted from the measured speed before your fine is calculated.
• Prompt payment: Paying within 20 days gives a 50% reduction.
• Radar blockers: Devices that interfere with speed cameras are banned and cost points and money.

What are the limits by road type?

For cars and motorcycles, the limits are 120 km/h on motorways (autopistas) and dual carriageways (autovías), and 90 km/h on conventional roads. In towns, the limit is 20 km/h on single-level streets, 30 km/h on roads with one lane per direction, and 50 km/h on roads with two or more lanes per direction. The urban limits have applied since 11 May 2021.

Buses, lorries and vehicles towing a trailer have lower limits. A vehicle towing is limited to 100 km/h on motorways. Lorries are limited to 90 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on conventional roads.

A sign on the road always beats these general limits. A limit ends at the next intersection or at a sign that cancels it.

Do variable limits count?

Yes. Electronic panels and gantries over or beside the road show variable limits. They apply to every driver while they are displayed. Roadworks and incidents get temporary limits, shown on portable signs or signs with a yellow background. Both override the fixed signs on that stretch. Breaking them is punished like any other speeding offence.

How do cameras catch you?

Spain uses four methods:

• Fixed cameras at one spot.
• Mobile cameras, in vehicles or on tripods.
• Section cameras, which measure your average speed between two points.
• Helicopters and drones, which measure speed from the air.

The error margin is taken off the measured speed before the fine is worked out. For fixed cameras it is 5 km/h up to 100 km/h and 5% above that. For mobile cameras it is 7 km/h up to 100 km/h and 7% above that.

What does speeding cost?

Fines and points rise with your speed. Examples for cars, using the speed you were recorded at:

Paying within 20 days gives a 50% reduction. The timeline below explains what paying means for your right to contest.

When does speeding become a crime?

Driving more than 60 km/h over the limit in towns, or more than 80 km/h over it on other roads, is a crime. The penalty is one of these: 3 to 6 months in prison, a fine of 6 to 12 months, or 31 to 90 days of community work. You also lose your right to drive for 1 to 4 years. This applies to foreign visitors too.

Can you use dashcams and radar warnings?

Dashcams are not banned. Recording for personal use is tolerated, and footage can be accepted as evidence. Publishing footage that shows people or plates can break data-protection rules.

Devices that block or interfere with radar are prohibited. Using a radar detector is a serious offence with a 200 euro fine and no points. A device that disrupts speed cameras costs 6 points and 500 to 1,000 euros. Apps that warn of fixed cameras are generally tolerated.

Timeline and deadlines

• Pay the fine to get the 50% reduction. Paying ends your right to make allegations: within 20 days of notification

• If you went more than 60 km/h over the limit in towns, or more than 80 km/h over it on other roads, expect a criminal case with 3 to 6 months in prison, or a fine of 6 to 12 months, or 31 to 90 days of community work: in the criminal court process

• Expect to lose your right to drive in Spain if convicted of criminal speeding: for 1 to 4 years

What to watch out for

• Variable and temporary limits beat the fixed signs: An electronic panel or a roadworks sign can set a lower limit than the general one, and speeding past it is fined like any other speeding offence. Look at the panels and yellow signs, not only the limit you expect for that road. Follow the lowest limit shown until a sign cancels it or you pass the next intersection.

• Radar-blocking devices cost points and money: Using a radar detector is a serious offence with a 200 euro fine and no points lost. A device that disrupts speed cameras costs 6 points and a fine of 500 to 1,000 euros. Leave any detector or jammer at home. A phone app that only warns of fixed cameras is generally tolerated.

• Fines and points rise quickly with your speed: On a 120 km/h road, 121 to 150 km/h costs 100 euros, 151 to 170 km/h costs 300 euros and 2 points, 171 to 180 km/h costs 400 euros and 4 points, and 181 to 190 km/h costs 500 euros and 6 points. On a 50 km/h street, 71 to 80 km/h costs 300 euros and 2 points, and 91 to 100 km/h costs 500 euros and 6 points. Keep to the posted limit. Cameras include fixed, mobile, average-speed sections and helicopters or drones.

• Extreme speed is a crime, not a fine: Driving more than 60 km/h over the limit in towns, or more than 80 km/h over it on other roads, is a crime. It can mean prison, community work and a driving ban of 1 to 4 years, and it applies to visitors too. If you are charged, get a lawyer straight away. The full rule is set out in this article.

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to use a dashcam in Spain?

Yes, a dashcam is legal in Spain for personal use on public roads. Publishing footage that shows people's faces or number plates can breach data-protection law. Courts and the DGT can accept your footage as evidence.

Can I use an app that warns me about speed cameras?

Yes, apps that warn of fixed cameras are generally tolerated in Spain. Devices that detect or interfere with traffic control equipment are banned, so do not buy one that blocks radar.

How much error margin do speed cameras allow?

The margin is 5 km/h for fixed cameras up to 100 km/h and 5 percent above 100 km/h.

When does a variable or temporary speed limit stop applying?

A variable or temporary limit stops at the next intersection or at a sign that cancels it. Until then it applies to every driver, as long as the panel shows it.