What is the Malaga LEZ and how does it work?

The search for increasingly effective sustainability measures in large European cities such as Malaga, with a growing concern for the environment, and in order to counteract the growing pollution, which is a major problem for many urban centres, has led to ambitious measures such as the LEZ Malaga.

A major sustainability challenge to try to reduce the impact of traffic, especially of older motor vehicles, and which is already a reality in a large number of environmental agendas throughout the European Union, which places special emphasis on unifying environmental regulations in all countries.

Because the Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in Malaga can cause serious doubts to users, about its scope, limitation and restrictions, here are the most important points about this measure to combat pollution, such as the doubt that, in the LEZ which cars can enter 30, or which is the low emission zone 50.

When does it come into effect?

The LEZ Malaga Low Emission Zone of Malaga will come into force at the end of 2023, and is intended to be an urban sustainability measure that provides an effective solution to pollution in the city.

This environmental measure, which aims to support the Andalusian city in the fight against the effects of climate change, is included in the Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition, which imposes the obligation to limit the access of vehicles, mainly for private use, to urban areas, based on their degree of pollution.

Which municipalities will be affected?

This measure, which aims to achieve traffic restrictions, affects Spanish municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants and, given the need to combat toxic emissions as soon as possible, Malaga has set itself the challenge of developing it throughout the year, while in other cities these sustainability plans are not as advanced as those projected by the Andalusian city.

How do I know if I am entering a Low Emission Zone?

Within the traffic restrictions and urban sustainability measures, one of the most important aspects for users is to know at all times how to identify Low Emission Zones (LEZ). For this purpose, visual elements will be used, with the implementation of warning signs for drivers, in addition to establishing a perimeter controlled by traffic cameras.

The main element that identifies the LEZ in Malaga will be a clearly distinctive vertical sign, which warns drivers of the proximity of the LEZ in the city of Malaga, as well as labels that allow drivers to pass through the limited zone.

LEZ map of Malaga

Malaga City Council has made a special effort to establish as effective a map as possible, by means of monitoring points, to prevent the most polluting motor vehicles from entering the most important areas such as the Historic Centre, General and Soho. For this reason, a zone of 473 hectares has been established which will be subject to the LEZ Malaga.

Knowing how the low emission zone works in Malaga is now possible with the following points, where the main doubts that appear around this new measure of LEZ Malaga are addressed.

Which cars can enter the Malaga LEZ?

Depending on the model you own or rent, you may or may not be able to enter the low emission zone in Malaga. But… Which cars are allowed to circulate and which are not?

Roadworthy cars

In order to know which cars can circulate in the LEZ in Malaga, it will be based on the DGT label of each vehicle. Access to the restricted zone will depend on the car’s emissions sticker, a vehicle identification system which has been in place for some time now, and which is classified by the four stickers currently in force, as follows:

The 0 Emissions Label

Label B,

The C Label

The ECO Label.

Cars that cannot be driven

The mobility restrictions in Malaga in the LEZ mainly affect the oldest and most polluting vehicles, essentially those that do not have a DGT label, which are for example diesel cars registered before 2006 or petrol cars registered before 2000.

A measure that is increasingly focused on controlling the access of highly polluting vehicles, especially for people who still have doubts about which cars will not be allowed to circulate in 2023.

Can I enter the Malaga LEZ with a rented car?

When in doubt as to which cars can enter the LEZ, rental vehicles can enter, under the agreement with the Climate Change and Energy Transition Law passed in 2021, rented cars have LEZ authorisation and can circulate in this zone with a specific emissions badge for each model, unless, of course, they are not models with the limitations of the previous section.

Can I enter the Malaga LEZ on a motorbike?

The same system of restrictions applies to motorbikes as to vehicles in the Malaga LEZ, so if the motorbike has the appropriate environmental label, it will be allowed to circulate in these Urban Protected Atmosphere Zones.

How is access to Low Emission Zones controlled?

Access to the Malaga LEZ will be clearly signposted with vertical signs, and there will also be surveillance systems using security cameras which will read the number plates of vehicles trying to enter the Low Emission Zone.

These areas, like the Green Zone and Zone Zero, are intended to control the entry and parking of environmentally harmful vehicles, for which a series of fines will be established for infringers.

Fines for entering the Malaga ZBE without an environmental sticker

Vehicles that violate the LEZ limitations and enter the zone will be fined around two hundred euros, although those fined will be eligible for a fifty percent discount for the first few days.

Special authorisations for the Malaga LEZ

There are some exceptions whereby cars without an environmental sticker can enter the Low Emission Zone. These are as follows:

Registered residents

Residents registered in the LEZ Malaga will be allowed free access with their vehicles and will be able to use an app to send invitations to their visitors, so they will not be affected by the traffic restrictions.

People with reduced mobility

Provided that persons with reduced mobility obtain the corresponding entry authorisation from Malaga City Council, they may enter these areas with LEZ authorisation.

How do I get my environmental sticker?

To obtain the label for each model of vehicle or motorbike, which costs approximately €5, all you need to do is enter its registration number in the DGT search engine.

Where should I place my environmental sticker?

According to DGT recommendations, the environmental sticker should be placed on the lower right-hand side of the front windscreen, so that the vehicle can be quickly identified.

Where can I park outside the LEZ in Malaga?

In order to allow any driver, regardless of their vehicle, to move around without serious limitations, alternative spaces are proposed for parking outside the perimeter and to travel to the centre by public transport or on foot. Although they are not yet defined.

Some applications for information on LEZ

Green Zones

Among the apps available, Green Zones is a free app covering Europe that shows you restricted areas. It is available, like the next option, for both iOS and Android. A very useful app for those who want to have a LEZ map of the main cities.

Bip & Drive

Another of the most interesting options is Bip & Drive, also free for drivers, which has the advantage of having more complete services such as a map of areas with limited traffic, as well as indicating tolls and petrol stations.

To summarise

The LEZ Malaga is a series of measures that aim to establish environmental regulations that are increasingly necessary for the city, and beneficial for the people who live in it, with Urban Air Protected Zones or ZUAP, which are becoming more and more crucial to establish emission-free zones.