New alcohol limits in Spain 2026 – stricter rules for drivers and expats

From 2026, Spain enforces a significantly stricter legal limit on driving under the influence of alcohol. The goal is to improve road safety and reduce the number of accidents involving alcohol — and the new rules apply to every driver on Spanish roads, without exception.

This is an important change both for residents and for the thousands of tourists and expats who travel across Spain by car every year — including those living on the Costa Blanca.

New alcohol limits in Spain 2026

From 2026, the following legal blood alcohol limits apply to all drivers:

• In blood: reduced from 0.5 g/l to 0.2 g/l

• In breath: reduced from 0.25 mg/l to 0.10 mg/l

• Novice drivers (under 2 years experience): unified at 0.2 g/l (previously 0.3 g/l)

• Professional drivers (HGV, bus, taxi): unified at 0.2 g/l (previously 0.3 g/l)

• Drivers under 18: zero tolerance (unchanged)

The new regulations apply to all drivers — both residents of Spain and visitors.

Is the new limit already in force in 2026?

The DGT reform to Article 20 of the General Traffic Regulations has passed key parliamentary stages and is in its final approval phase. In practice, Spanish police are already applying stricter 0.2 g/l enforcement — particularly in coastal and tourist regions including the Costa Blanca.

Police are not waiting for the final gazette publication. Roadside controls have intensified significantly since 2025, especially on weekends and throughout the summer tourist season.

How much can you drink before driving in Spain — and why it's safer not to

The short answer is: practically none.

With a limit of 0.2 g/l, even one beer or a glass of wine can exceed the legal threshold — depending on your weight, metabolism, food intake, and the type of drink. There is no guaranteed safe amount.

The recommendation is simple: zero alcohol if you plan to drive.

Penalties and fines for exceeding alcohol limits in Spain 2026

Even for a first offence, your driving licence may be temporarily withdrawn on the spot.

The Spanish driving points system in 2026 — how to lose, recover, and earn points

• The full 12 points are restored after 2 years without serious offences.

• For serious offences — after 3 years.

• Drivers who maintain a clean record for 6 years can earn up to 15 points.

• Points can be recovered by attending road safety courses approved by the DGT.

More frequent breathalyzer checks — when and where controls will increase

Spanish police have confirmed that in 2026, breath tests are significantly more frequent, especially:

• on weekends and Friday nights,

• during public holidays and local fiestas,

• in areas with heavy tourist traffic — including Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, and the Balearic Islands,

• at random checkpoints on major routes such as the N-332 and AP-7.

Random tests are now standard practice in coastal regions. Refusing a breathalyzer is a criminal offence — punishable by a fine of up to €2,000 and possible detention, regardless of whether you have been drinking.

How the new alcohol laws affect tourists and foreign drivers on the Costa Blanca

The new regulations apply to every driver on a Spanish road — including tourists from EU countries and expats with foreign licences.

• Fines issued to foreigners are legally enforceable and can be collected within the EU.

• Ignorance of the law does not exempt anyone from responsibility.

• Rental car drivers are subject to exactly the same rules.

• Controls near beach resorts and tourist areas have increased dramatically since summer 2025.

Applications that warn about police checks

Apps such as Waze, Radarbot, and SocialDrive remain technically legal in Spain as of March 2026 — but their future is uncertain. The DGT has publicly criticised these apps and is pushing for legislation to restrict them. Proposed changes would limit apps to showing general control zones rather than exact checkpoint locations.

Do not rely on these apps. Controls are now frequent enough that many are not reported in real time.

Practical tips for drivers living on the Costa Blanca

• Appoint a designated driver in advance when going to restaurants or events.

• Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Uber, Cabify, FreeNow) are widely available on the Costa Blanca.

• Many restaurants and hotels offer a taxi-call service — just ask at reception.

• If driving the next morning, remember alcohol can remain in your system overnight.

• Consider keeping a personal breathalyzer in your car — available for around €30–50 in Spain.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can one beer exceed the limit in Spain? Yes. At 0.2 g/l, even a single beer or small glass of wine is enough to exceed the legal limit for many people. There is no guaranteed safe amount.

2. Do the new rules apply to tourists from Poland and other EU countries? Yes. Every driver on a Spanish road is subject to the same laws, regardless of nationality. Fines can be enforced within the EU.

3. What happens if I refuse a breathalyzer test? Refusal is a criminal offence — punishable by a fine of up to €2,000 and possible detention. This applies whether or not you have consumed alcohol.

4. Is the 0.2 g/l limit already being enforced in 2026? In practice, yes. Spanish police are already applying stricter enforcement, particularly in coastal regions. The legislative reform is in its final approval stage.

5. Do the regulations differ depending on the region of Spain? No. Spanish traffic law is national and applies uniformly across the entire country — including Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Murcia, and the Balearic Islands.

6. Can penalty points be recovered? Yes — by attending a DGT-approved road safety course, or automatically after a clean driving record of 2–3 years depending on the offence.

7. Are police checks more common on the Costa Blanca? Yes. Coastal tourist regions are specifically named by the DGT as priority enforcement zones. Expect controls near beaches and resort areas, especially on weekend evenings.

Article prepared by Artur Rojewski, Azul Villa Properties — real estate and expat advisory on the Costa Blanca. Last updated: March 2026.