Countries › Spain
Spain
At a glance
- Traffic
- on the right
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- types C, F · 230 V
- Emergency
- 112
Entering the country
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together.
- Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago.
- EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026).
- ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go.
Driver and insurance
- International Driving Permit required with your Canadian or US licence (CAA, AAA).
- Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
Speed limits
| Town | Road | Motorway | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, light RV | 30–50 | 90 | 120 |
| With a trailer or caravan | 30–50 | 80 | 90 |
In km/h. Signs always take precedence.
Tolls and vignettes Toll booths
Most motorways are free ("autovía"); a few "autopistas" are still tolled (AP-6, AP-9, AP-51…), paid at booths.
Low-emission zones
Low-emission zones (ZBE) in big cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville…), based on the DGT environmental label. Foreign vehicles without a label often have to register before entering (Barcelona, Madrid): check the city.
Boondocking Tolerated depending on the spot
Wild camping banned almost everywhere; sleeping in a parked motorhome (nothing set out) is often tolerated, but several coastal towns ban it with fines. Many motorhome areas.
Mandatory equipment
- Reflective vest, within reach
- Two warning triangles
- Overhanging load panel (bike rack)
- Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back
Good to know
- Bike rack or load sticking out at the back: red-and-white V-20 panel required.
- Since 2026 the V-16 warning light replaces triangles for Spanish-registered vehicles; foreign vehicles may keep two triangles.
Frequently asked questions
- Spain: what do you need to enter the country with your vehicle?
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together. Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago. EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026). ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go. International Driving Permit required with your Canadian or US licence (CAA, AAA). Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
- Spain: what are the speed limits?
- Car and light RV: 30–50 in town, 90 on rural roads, 120 on motorways (km/h). With a trailer or caravan: 80 on rural roads, 90 on motorways.
- Spain: do you need a vignette or pay tolls?
- Most motorways are free ("autovía"); a few "autopistas" are still tolled (AP-6, AP-9, AP-51…), paid at booths.
- Spain: are there low emission zones?
- Low-emission zones (ZBE) in big cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville…), based on the DGT environmental label. Foreign vehicles without a label often have to register before entering (Barcelona, Madrid): check the city.
- Spain: is wild camping allowed?
- Tolerated depending on the spot. Wild camping banned almost everywhere; sleeping in a parked motorhome (nothing set out) is often tolerated, but several coastal towns ban it with fines. Many motorhome areas.
- Spain: what equipment is required in the vehicle?
- Reflective vest, within reach, Two warning triangles, Overhanging load panel (bike rack), Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back.