Whether you drive a car, ride a motorbike, cycle or use an electric scooter on the Costa Blanca, Spain’s traffic rules are about to change.
A major update to the General Traffic Regulations comes into force on Thursday 1 October, introducing new rules for everything from motorbike clothing and overtaking cyclists to e-scooters and emergency vehicles.
The rules apply nationally, so residents on the Costa Blanca need to follow them too.
Motorcyclists face new clothing rules
Motorcyclists are among those most affected.
Under the revised regulations, riders must wear closed footwear on all types of roads. The reform also introduces mandatory protective gloves when riding on interurban roads.
There is an important detail with the gloves. The requirement for specifically approved protective gloves will not take effect until a separate ministerial order establishes their technical specifications. Until then, riders can use protective gloves of the type already in use.
The reform also requires motorcycles to carry a high-visibility reflective vest.
Another change will be welcomed by riders who regularly find themselves sitting in queues. Motorcycles will be allowed to use the right-hand hard shoulder when traffic has stopped because of congestion, but only on specially designated and signposted stretches.
Where permitted, the maximum speed will be 30km/h and motorcycles must travel in single file.
So this is not a general green light to ride along the hard shoulder whenever traffic slows.
New rules for overtaking cyclists
Cyclists receive greater protection under the new regulations.
The reform strengthens the rules governing how other vehicles pass bicycles and introduces additional measures for cycling in towns and cities.
Spain’s updated regulations also allow authorities to designate two-way cycling on some streets with 30km/h limits and provide clearer rules covering passengers, children and goods carried by bicycle. Pasted text
The changes form part of a wider attempt to give greater legal protection to what Spain now formally defines as vulnerable road users.
E-scooter riders need to know the new rules
Electric scooters and other electric vehicles, also come under tighter regulation.
The minimum age for riding a VMP will be 15.
Helmet use becomes compulsory, while riders must wear a reflective vest at night or in conditions of poor visibility.
The rules continue to keep VMPs away from motorways and dual carriageways, while also regulating where they can travel outside towns.
One requirement has been postponed. Mandatory daytime lighting for VMPs will not apply until 1 October 2027.
That distinction matters because not everything announced as part of the new regulations starts this October.
Drivers must make room for emergency vehicles
Drivers will also need to know what to do when motorway or dual-carriageway traffic grinds to a halt.
When vehicles stop or move at walking pace because of congestion, drivers must move towards the sides of the carriageway to create a clear space through the middle.
This forms an emergency corridor for police, ambulances and other emergency services.
Anyone who regularly uses the A-7 or AP-7 will recognise exactly the sort of traffic conditions where the rule could become relevant.
Traffic lights are changing too
There is a significant change at pedestrian crossings controlled by traffic lights.
As a general rule, authorities will no longer combine a flashing amber light for vehicles with a steady green pedestrian signal at the same crossing. Pasted text
That does not mean Spain is abolishing flashing amber traffic lights.
Instead, the reform changes the circumstances in which flashing amber for vehicles can operate alongside a pedestrian green signal.
It is an important distinction because claims that Spain is simply scrapping flashing amber lights have already risked making the change sound much broader than it really is.
Pavements belong to pedestrians
Spain has also introduced a specific section of the national regulations covering urban traffic for the first time.
The rules explicitly establish pavements as spaces for pedestrians and prohibit vehicles from travelling on them.
Municipal authorities can allow cyclists and VMP users to share other pedestrian areas through local regulations, but pedestrians retain priority. Councils can also allow children aged up to 12 to cycle on pavements when accompanied by an adult walking alongside them.
That local element is worth remembering on the Costa Blanca. The national regulations provide the framework, but town halls retain powers to regulate some aspects of urban mobility through their own ordinances.
What about campervans and motorhomes?
There is also clarification for motorhome owners, a particularly useful point for anyone touring Spain.
The new regulations distinguish parking from activities that extend beyond the vehicle itself.
When parked, a motorhome cannot put out equipment that extends beyond the vehicle’s footprint, must rest only on its tyres and cannot discharge fluids from the living area.
Local parking restrictions can still apply, so this does not give motorhomes an unrestricted right to park anywhere.
Not every change starts on 1 October
This is perhaps the most important detail to take away from the new rules.
Most of Royal Decree 518/2026 comes into force on Thursday 1 October 2026.
However, mandatory daytime lighting for VMPs and the new requirement concerning approved motorcycle helmets have been delayed until 1 October 2027.
The requirement for officially approved protective motorcycle gloves also depends on a future ministerial order setting their technical specifications. In the meantime, riders should use protective gloves of the type currently used.
So if you see social media posts presenting every measure as a brand-new requirement from 1 October, treat them with a little caution.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- Major changes to Spain’s General Traffic Regulations take effect on Thursday 1 October 2026.
- The rules apply to British and other international residents and visitors as well as Spanish road users.
- Motorcyclists must wear closed footwear, while new rules also cover protective gloves.
- Motorcycles can use the right-hand hard shoulder during congestion only on designated, signposted stretches and at no more than 30km/h.
- The minimum age for riding an e-scooter or other VMP is 15.
- Drivers must create a central emergency corridor when motorway or dual-carriageway traffic stops or moves at walking pace.
- The rules strengthen protection for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Spain is not simply abolishing flashing amber traffic lights. The change concerns their use alongside a green pedestrian signal.
- Some requirements have been delayed until 2027 or depend on further technical regulations.
Let Bridging the Gap help you navigate through more Costa Blanca Red Tape.
