news

       If you’re planning to buy or rent a car but haven’t yet exchanged your UK licence for a new one, or have just moved here and aren’t familiar with the rules, here’s everything you need to know about parking in Spain.
       If you plan to drive in Spain, it is important to familiarize yourself with all the rules not only for driving, but also for parking. Here’s what the different colored stop lines on the streets mean.
       This is the easiest rule to understand in Spain, which means you can park for free anywhere within the parking lines at any time.
       Parking within the blue line means that this area is for tourists only and parking is subject to a fee. You can pay for parking at the nearest parking meter.
       Please note that each region of Spain has different rules regarding how long you can park your car without being fined. Find out the rules here.
       Generally, the rules apply from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. There are no restrictions on Sundays and public holidays. Parking hours at popular attractions may vary throughout the summer, so be sure to check signs and meters for exact times.
       Parking spaces within the green and orange lines are only available to area residents who have registered to park in that specific zone.
       To obtain a parking permit within the orange and green lines, you must go to your local town hall and provide the necessary documents, such as a parking space owner’s ID, driver’s license, and proof that you are the owner of the vehicle.
       There is also a fee for using this service. Once registered, you will be able to use the Orange and Green Zones without any restrictions.
       Visitors can also use the Green and Orange Line parking zones, but there are restrictions and fees. Parking within the Green or Orange Lines is always more expensive than within the Blue Line, and parking is only available for a limited time.
       Parking time may vary in different areas, but is usually only 2 hours, after which you must remove your car. Be sure to pay immediately and leave the receipt on the car window as proof of payment.
       No, there is no difference, everyone can be treated equally. It may depend on the city you live in. For example, Madrid, Barcelona and Seville have more green lines; Valencia and Alicante have more orange lines.
       Some cities also have special zones reserved for residents only, marked by a red circle with an “X” in the middle on a light blue background. Orange or green lines and signs will also appear on the streets saying “Zona exclusiva de residentes” (Residents Zone) or “árearesidents” (Residential Zone).
       These areas are marked with a yellow zig-zag line and a dark blue circle with a red outer ring and a red line through the middle. Parking in these areas is prohibited at all times and is only for loading and unloading. The maximum parking time is approximately 30 minutes. Other rules may be indicated on the signs, but they are generally valid from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
       The blue and orange dotted lines represent two cases. One is for vehicles going to medical centers or hospitals and can park for up to 4 hours; the other is for vehicles going to long-term parking near the train station. Long-term parking is available for a fee, but the rate is reduced and limited to 12 hours.
       Yellow lines indicate no parking. Yellow lines are usually installed in front of garages, at the entrances to parking lots, and in areas reserved for official vehicles such as police cars and ambulances.
       This means that parking is prohibited, but in case of emergency it is possible to stop for less than 2 minutes while the driver is in the car.
       If you park your vehicle in a designated parking area and do not pay for parking, you will be issued a fine, but if you park your vehicle in an area marked with a VADO sign, your vehicle will be towed and you will have to pay for parking.
       We invite you to join the discussion in the comments section below. Share your opinions and experiences, and if you have questions or suggestions for our journalists, email news@thelocal.es. Please keep comments polite, constructive and on-topic. Please be sure to read our Terms of Use before participating.
       By registering, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We will use your email address to send you newsletters, as well as information and offers related to your account.