ZBE in Madrid: everything you need to know about the traffic-free zone (2023)
Discover how Madrid's evolving urban mobility plan, Madrid Central, is transforming the city into a cleaner, more pedestrian-friendly, and eco-conscious metropolis. Get the latest insights on how to access the heart of the city, reduce pollution, and explore the historic streets without incurring fines.
Author: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. source
In 2018, Madrid Central emerged as an urban mobility plan with a grand vision to address pollution, improve residents' quality of life, and revitalize the Spanish capital as an eco-friendly, pedestrian-friendly city. As it has matured, it has faced legal challenges, adaptations, and expansions, constantly influencing the daily movement of local people and Madrid's visitors.
ZBE Madrid: Cleaner Air and Better Mobility
The main mission of Madrid Central is to combat urban pollution and reclaim urban spaces currently dominated by cars. Statistics tell a striking story: 80% of Madrid's urban areas are dominated by cars. The central goal of this mobility plan is to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions by 40%, advocating for more sustainable transportation options such as walking, cycling, and using public transport.
Driving in ZBE Madrid
Madrid Central encompasses areas previously known as Residential Areas (APR) in Cortes, Letras, Embajadores, and Ópera, covering over 30 streets, squares, and roundabouts in an area of 40 square kilometers. Streets like Alberto Aguilera, Carranza, and Glorieta de Bilbao, among others, have been designated as restricted zones for certain vehicles. However, some streets have exemptions due to a lack of alternative routes.
The streets open for traffic in this area are:
- Santa Cruz de Marcenado
- Mártires de Alcalá
- Gran Vía de San Francisco
- Bailén
- Algeciras
- Cuesta Ramón
- Ventura Rodríguez
- Duque de Liria
Environmental Labels and Distinctives for ZBE Madrid
To enter Madrid Central, vehicles must comply with the criteria set by the DGT's environmental label system, which categorizes vehicles into five groups. The four cleanest categories receive these labels, allowing access. Among them, vehicles labeled as "ECO" and "Zero Emissions," such as hybrids and electric cars, can circulate freely in the area. Vehicles falling into "Category B" and "Category C," based on fuel type and year of registration, can only access Madrid Central when parking in specific authorized facilities.
Madrid Central: Residents First
In its pursuit of promoting cleaner and eco-friendly urban mobility, Madrid Central demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. District Center residents enjoy the privilege of moving through Madrid Central with their vehicles, regardless of whether they have an environmental label from the DGT. Especially, residents over 16 years old can request up to 20 monthly invitations for non-labeled vehicles, allowing limited parking in the Regulated Parking Area (SER) or unrestricted parking in private facilities. Additionally, people with reduced mobility have access to Madrid Central without the need for environmental labels, ensuring the city is inclusive and accessible to all. To encourage compliance, regulations include fines for violations, generally set at 90 euros, with the possibility of a 50% reduction to 45 euros if paid within 20 days from the violation.
Madrid Low Emission Zone (ZBE)
In the ongoing effort to improve air quality and protect the environment, Madrid Central has introduced the 'Madrid Low Emission Zone (ZBE).' This zone aims to ensure an equal level of protection for all residents and visitors while complying with nitrogen dioxide limit values set by basic community and state air quality regulations. Regulations for the 'Madrid Low Emission Zone (ZBE)' are included in the Sustainable Mobility Ordinance and consist of traffic regulations within the geographical area defined by all public roads in the municipality of Madrid.
The 'Madrid Low Emission Zone (ZBE)' is a fundamental addition to Madrid Central's efforts. This zone prohibits access and circulation of all vehicles not classified as environmental category A in the Vehicle Registry of the Directorate General of Traffic. To facilitate citizens' adaptation to these standards, the Sustainable Mobility Ordinance has established transitional regimes based on compliance and specific categories. Starting on January 1, 2022, access to certain tourist vehicles without environmental category A was restricted from accessing and circulating within the M-30. Regulations also cover vehicles domiciled in Madrid and registered in the Fiscal Vehicle Registration (IVTM) of the Madrid City Council.
Madrid Central continues to progress, not only to reduce pollution but also to promote inclusion, accessibility, and environmental protection. Madrid's vision for cleaner and eco-friendly urban mobility is making significant strides, transforming the city into a sustainable and eco-conscious urban center.
Madrid Central vs. Madrid 360: Are They the Same?
You may have heard of Madrid 360 and might confuse it with Madrid Central. The confusion is very common, but let's clear it up right now. Madrid 360 is the anti-pollution law that will be fully implemented by January 2025. However, the implementation is progressive, and the first step was Madrid Central. In practical terms, it is a regulation that you should be aware of and follow, and you will increasingly see it signposted in various parts of the city of Madrid. Madrid Central is a restricted traffic area, Madrid 360 is the strategic set of anti-pollution initiatives that Madrid has progressively adopted and will culminate in 2024. This strategic plan consists of various phases and revolves around the ideal of a more sustainable Madrid. Some of the future initiatives of Madrid 360 are: - Actions in Valdemingómez - Ceasing the use of coal boilers - Creation of the Metropolitan Forest (a 600-hectare park) - Construction of 15,000 parking spaces for deterring and rotation - Underground eight lanes of the A5 (between Portugal Avenue and Poblados Avenue) - Two free electric bus lines - A new mobility app Remember that you must be informed of all restrictions in Madrid to avoid fines, so it is your duty to stay informed. We recommend that you regularly visit the website of the Madrid City Council, the Madrid 360 plan website, as well as the Parkimeter Blog, as we are mobility experts and a parking reservation platform that operates in all major cities. Book parking in Madrid
