How long can you park your car in the street in Spain before risking a fine?
Parking rules are decided on a municipal level in Spain, meaning that the rules on how long you can leave your car parked before getting a fine varies.
How long can you leave your car parked on the street in Spain? The simple answer is it depends on where in the country you are.
In Spain, traffic regulations such as parking rules are delegated at a municipal level, so the rules are often different in every part of the country.
Generally speaking, however, in bigger cities you generally have less time to park, whereas around the rest of Spain in smaller towns and cities the maximum time allowed can vary from 10 days all the way up to 30.
The fines
The fine, however, is the same everywhere.
According to the DGT regulations, the fine for parking in (signposted) prohibited areas is €200, which can be halved if you pay it early, and does not add any points to your license.
Similarly, leaving your car in the same parking space for too long, even if it's a legally designated parking space, can also risk a €200 fine.
City by city
The rules on how long you can leave your car parked on the street depends on where it is.
To be sure of the rules and know exactly how long you can leave your car parked, you should check with the town hall (ayuntamiento) or local police, as they are the ones responsible for handing out fines (and possibly towing) your car.
But to help you out, The Local has outlined some of the rules in major cities below.
Madrid
In Madrid, you can generally leave your car (legally) parked for five days. In fact, the city's Mobility Ordinance bans parking in the same space for more than five working days.
It also expects you to keep on top of rule changes if you are going to leave your car: "the owner of the vehicle will have the obligation to make sure for himself, or by any other person or means, that his vehicle is not improperly parked as a result of any change in signage or traffic management."
Valencia - In Valencia it depends on where in the city and the type (colour) of parking space you want to use.
Blue zone: a maximum of 2 hours.
Orange zone (non-residents): a maximum of 2 hours.
Orange zone (residents): a maximum of 7 days working days.
Barcelona
Barcelona operates a 'green zone' (zona verde) where all vehicles can park, but the maximum time you can leave your car depends on if you're resident or have the appropriate approval.
Non-residents can park in the green area for a maximum of 1 or 2 hours, depending on where exactly you are, but you must get a ticket from a parking meter or pay through the Barcelona City Council app SMOU.
The hours for green zone parking are Monday to Friday or from Monday to Saturday, again depending on the neighbourhood, from 8am to 8pm.
If you are a resident in a green parking zone, the maximum period of time you can park your car is 7 days, but always be sure to check the local signs in case there are any exceptions.
Alicante
Blue zone (medium stay): a maximum of 5 hours.
Orange zone (non-residents): a maximum of 1 hour.
Orange zone (residents): a maximum of 5 days.
Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
Blue zone: maximum of 2 hours.
Green zone (non-resident): Any user is allowed to park for a maximum of 1 hour.
Green zone (resident): Any user is allowed to park for a maximum of 1 month.
Palma de Mallorca
In Palma de Mallorca you can't leave your car parked for more than 10 days, and Article 99 of the local council's parking rules stipulates that after 15 days your car can be towed.
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How long can you leave your car parked on the street in Spain? The simple answer is it depends on where in the country you are.
In Spain, traffic regulations such as parking rules are delegated at a municipal level, so the rules are often different in every part of the country.
Generally speaking, however, in bigger cities you generally have less time to park, whereas around the rest of Spain in smaller towns and cities the maximum time allowed can vary from 10 days all the way up to 30.
The fines
The fine, however, is the same everywhere.
According to the DGT regulations, the fine for parking in (signposted) prohibited areas is €200, which can be halved if you pay it early, and does not add any points to your license.
Similarly, leaving your car in the same parking space for too long, even if it's a legally designated parking space, can also risk a €200 fine.
City by city
The rules on how long you can leave your car parked on the street depends on where it is.
To be sure of the rules and know exactly how long you can leave your car parked, you should check with the town hall (ayuntamiento) or local police, as they are the ones responsible for handing out fines (and possibly towing) your car.
But to help you out, The Local has outlined some of the rules in major cities below.
Madrid
In Madrid, you can generally leave your car (legally) parked for five days. In fact, the city's Mobility Ordinance bans parking in the same space for more than five working days.
It also expects you to keep on top of rule changes if you are going to leave your car: "the owner of the vehicle will have the obligation to make sure for himself, or by any other person or means, that his vehicle is not improperly parked as a result of any change in signage or traffic management."
Valencia - In Valencia it depends on where in the city and the type (colour) of parking space you want to use.
Blue zone: a maximum of 2 hours.
Orange zone (non-residents): a maximum of 2 hours.
Orange zone (residents): a maximum of 7 days working days.
Barcelona
Barcelona operates a 'green zone' (zona verde) where all vehicles can park, but the maximum time you can leave your car depends on if you're resident or have the appropriate approval.
Non-residents can park in the green area for a maximum of 1 or 2 hours, depending on where exactly you are, but you must get a ticket from a parking meter or pay through the Barcelona City Council app SMOU.
The hours for green zone parking are Monday to Friday or from Monday to Saturday, again depending on the neighbourhood, from 8am to 8pm.
If you are a resident in a green parking zone, the maximum period of time you can park your car is 7 days, but always be sure to check the local signs in case there are any exceptions.
Alicante
Blue zone (medium stay): a maximum of 5 hours.
Orange zone (non-residents): a maximum of 1 hour.
Orange zone (residents): a maximum of 5 days.
Las Palmas (Gran Canaria)
Blue zone: maximum of 2 hours.
Green zone (non-resident): Any user is allowed to park for a maximum of 1 hour.
Green zone (resident): Any user is allowed to park for a maximum of 1 month.
Palma de Mallorca
In Palma de Mallorca you can't leave your car parked for more than 10 days, and Article 99 of the local council's parking rules stipulates that after 15 days your car can be towed.
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