At the beginning of 2026, updated traffic regulations will come into effect in Spain, impacting a wide range of road users. These changes are designed to improve road safety and adapt to the modern realities of urban transportation.
Taxi drivers, couriers, and driving instructors will now be required to wear seat belts, even when driving within the city. Previously, exceptions existed for these groups, but the rules are being tightened. Exemptions will remain only for emergency service drivers, passengers in medical vehicles, and small children in the back seats of taxis.
Special attention is being paid to the distance when overtaking. Drivers will have to maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters when passing vehicles stopped on the road, even if this means crossing into the oncoming lane. Additionally, speed during such maneuvers must be reduced by 20 km/h compared to the permitted limit for that stretch of road.
Users of electric scooters and other personal mobility devices will face new requirements. They will be required to always have their lights on, though this will become mandatory during the day only a year after the new rules come into effect. People with limited mobility who use these devices at walking speed will be considered pedestrians. Using high-occupancy vehicle lanes is now prohibited—violations will result in a fine, which can be reduced if paid promptly.
Professional riders of motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, and electric scooters will have to wear reflective vests not only in urban areas but also on intercity roads. The requirement for motorcyclists to wear a fastened helmet, protective gloves, and closed footwear remains in place. Mandatory use of full-face helmets is not being introduced yet. Cyclists are allowed to ride in pairs on the roadside, but exceptions for professional athletes are being removed. All two-wheeled vehicle drivers must wear a helmet, with no medical exemptions allowed.
Pedestrians are granted more rights: military columns, school groups, and organized processions now have priority when crossing the road. There is also a new ban on stopping and parking vehicles with four or more wheels near pedestrian crossings to improve visibility and accessibility. Municipalities have two years to implement this rule.
In the commercial sector, parking for trading will be permitted, reversing the previous plan to ban it. The requirement for mandatory placement of environmental stickers on vehicles by decision of local authorities will also be removed.
