Parking rules in Spain

When travelling in Spain, tourists rarely limit themselves to just the beach. Trips to neighbouring towns, small villages and natural areas allow them to better understand the lifestyle and culture of the Spanish people.

If you have a driving licence and have rented a car, it is important to familiarise yourself with the parking rules in Spain in advance. Getting to your destination is one thing, but parking correctly without getting a fine or having your car towed away is quite another.

In small villages and outside the city, parking is usually not a problem.

However, in Spain's large cities, finding a parking space can be a real challenge, especially for tourists.

Where can you park in Spain?

Public underground car parks (Parking público)

In large cities in Spain, public underground car parks are widespread..
They are easily recognisable by the sign Parking público or a large letter P with a downward arrow.

Before entering, always pay attention to additional information:

• Libre — there are vacancies

• Ocupado — the car park is full

Rates vary depending on the city and district, but payment is made only for the actual time the vehicle is in use.

Parking at shopping centres

Almost all large shopping centres in Spain have spacious car parks.

• When shopping, parking is often free of charge.

• If you did not make any purchases, you can pay for parking on the spot.

⚠️ Important: parking rules are set by each shopping centre individually, so always check the information at the entrance or inside the car park.

Parking zones in Spain

When looking for a parking space on the street, pay attention to the colour of the road markings — this determines whether you can park there and under what conditions.

🔵 Blue lines (Zona azul)

This is the most common type of paid street parking in Spain.

Features of the azul zone:

• parking by the hour;

• payment must be made at the nearest machine;

• the parking ticket is placed in a visible place in the car;

• The maximum parking time is usually 2–3 hours..

In many cities, the azul zone is free of charge:

• from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.;

• from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.;

• on Saturday after 2 p.m.;

• on Sundays and public holidays.

For example, if you parked at 13:05 and paid for 1 hour, you will need to vacate the space at 16:05.

ℹ️ The rules may vary slightly depending on the city — detailed information is always provided at the payment terminal.

🟢🟠 Green and orange zones

Such areas are often found in residential areas of large cities — in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and others.

They are primarily intended for residents living nearby.

Possible options:

• free parking for non-residents, but no more than 1–2 hours;

• paid parking with time restrictions;

• the cost is higher than in the azul zone.

⚠️ Always study road signs carefully — they will indicate whether parking is permitted for visitors and under what conditions.

⚪ White lines

White markings indicate free parking with no time restrictions.

Most often, such places are found:

• in residential areas;

• in small towns and villages;

• away from tourist centres.

❗ The exception is places for people with disabilities.

What do the yellow lines on the road mean?

• A solid yellow line indicates that both stopping and parking are prohibited.

• Broken yellow line — short-term stopping for loading or unloading is permitted, parking is prohibited.

• Yellow zigzag markings — most often indicate bus stops or loading zones.

Where you cannot park in Spain

Parking is prohibited:

• at pedestrian crossings;

• in front of garages and gates;

• next to the sign "Estacionamiento prohibido";

• in places for people with disabilities;

• near curbs painted yellow;

• in loading and unloading areas.

Violation of parking regulations may result in a fine or vehicle towing.

🚨 Fines for illegal parking in Spain

Violating parking rules in Spain can result in fines, vehicle towing, or additional expenses, especially in large cities. The rules are strictly enforced here, and even minor violations are often punished financially. 

📍 Main penalties

✔️ Exceeding the time limit in the paid parking zone (zona azul)
If you have not renewed your paid ticket or have not displayed it in a visible place, the fine usually starts at approximately €40–60. In some cities, the amount may be slightly higher.

✔️ Parking in prohibited areas
Parking in an area marked with yellow lines, on the sidewalk, at a pedestrian crossing, or in any other place where it is prohibited usually results in a fine of approximately €80–200 or more.

✔️ Illegal parking causing obstacles
If a vehicle obstructs other vehicles, driveways, or creates a hazard to traffic, fines can also reach up to approximately €200. 

✔️ Special cases (e.g., bus lanes)
In some cities, fines for parking in bus lanes or other specially prohibited areas can be as high as €200–300. 

💡 How to pay and reduce the fine

• If the fine is paid within the first 20 days, many cities offer a discount of approximately 50%, which is a significant saving. 

• You can pay it through the app, the municipality's online portal, at a bank, or — if the fine was issued in person — directly on the spot. 

• Ignoring a fine can lead to additional charges, problems with the rental company, or even difficulties when entering the country again (if fines remain unpaid for years). 

📌 Tips for tourists

✔️ Always check the parking conditions on signs and machines — they may vary from city to city.
✔️ Do not leave your car on the yellow lines, even for a minute — fines are strict here.
✔️ If you have received a fine and are unsure how to pay it, contact your local police department or rental agent for assistance.