Portugal Spain
Portugal 
SpainLast reviewed July 2026
Crossing the border
The A5/A6 motorway crosses at Caia between Badajoz and Elvas toward Lisbon.
Driving rules in Spain
- Two warning triangles and a reflective vest must be carried.
- Spare pair of glasses required if you wear them to drive.
- 0.05% alcohol limit; 0.03% for novice drivers.
- Roundabouts: yield to traffic already circulating.
What to see when you arrive in Spain
- the Sagrada Família in Barcelona
- the Alhambra in Granada
- the Prado Museum in Madrid
- the Camino de Santiago
- the beaches of the Costa del Sol
Once you're driving in Spain
Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.
Driving on a foreign licence
EU/EEA licences are fully valid; visitors from the USA, Canada, Australia and other non-EU countries should carry a 1949 or 1968 International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. Driving without a required IDP can draw a fine of up to about EUR 500.
Tolls & road charges
Many former toll autopistas (AP) are now free, but remaining toll roads take cash and cards at booths, while newer free-flow gantry stretches require online payment within about 72 hours. Miss the window and the bill, plus an admin fee, is passed through the rental company; typical tolls run EUR 5-25.
Parking in the cities
Kerbside zona azul (blue) is short-stay paid parking and zona verde (green) favours residents; pay at the meter or via apps and display the ticket. Secure blue-P underground car parks cost roughly EUR 20-28 per 24h, and leaving a car in a regulated zone overnight risks a fine or grua (tow).
Fines & camera enforcement
A 50% discount applies if a fine is paid within 20 days; police may demand on-the-spot payment from foreign drivers and can immobilise the car until paid. Phone use and no-seatbelt fines run into the low hundreds of euros, and under EU cross-border enforcement unpaid fines can be pursued back home.
If you have an accident
Call 112; police must attend if there are injuries. For damage-only crashes complete the declaracion amistosa de accidente (European Accident Statement) signed by both drivers, photograph the scene, avoid moving vehicles when anyone is hurt, and notify the rental firm; carry and wear the reflective vest when exiting on a road.
Driving in the capital
Madrid's citywide Zona de Bajas Emisiones (the former Madrid Central/Madrid 360) and Barcelona's ZBE restrict vehicles by environmental label, with cameras fining unauthorised entry around EUR 90-200. Rental cars are normally labelled, but confirm the car's distintivo ambiental and the access rules before entering the centre.
Sources: spainonfoot.com · tyremap.com · cover4rentals.ie · europa.eu