Toll in Spain

Spain is a popular summer holiday destination and attracts many tourists via France or Switzerland to the Mediterranean coast or inland to the capital Madrid. Before travelling to Spain, you should find out about the route and toll costs.

In the Spanish motorway network, a distinction is made between state motorways "Autovías" and private motorways "Autopistas". On private motorways marked with "AP", tolls are charged according to the distance travelled and the vehicle category. You do not have to pay to use the state motorway "A".

Toll roads

AP-46: Alto de las Pedrizas - Málaga
AP-51, AP-6: Connection near Ávila
AP-52: Santiago de Compostela - Alto de Santo Domingo
AP-6: Villalba - Adanero
AP-66: Campomanes - León
AP-68: Bilbao - Zaragoza
AP-7: Alicante - Cartagena, Estepona - Guadiaro, Málaga - Estepona
AP-71: León - Astorga
AP-9: Ferrol - Portuguese border
R-2, R-3, R-4, M-30: around Madrid
C-16: Barcelona - Manresa
AP-61/AP-6: connection to Segovia

Toll free routes

On the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, all roads and routes can be used toll-free. On the Spanish mainland, no tolls are charged on public motorways and a few sections of private motorways. Most of the Spanish road network is toll-free.

The following sections of private motorways can be used without a toll:

AP-7: Tarragona - Alicante
AP-4: Seville - Cádiz
AP-7: Border crossing (France/Spain) La Jonquera - Tarragona
AP-2: Zaragoza - El Vendrell
C-32: Barcelona - Lloret de Mar
C-33: Barcelona - Montmeló

Additional toll

Tolls are charged for the following tunnels:

Vallvidrera Tunnel
Cadi Tunnel
Artxanda Tunnel

Definition of different vehicle categories

On Spain's motorways, vehicles are divided into the toll categories Ligeros and Pesados.

**Caravans with twin tyres belong to the **Pesados 1 category** and are charged accordingly.**
Toll category	Description
Ligeros	Car Motorcycle Car with trailer (1 axle) Campervans
Pesados 1	Car with trailer (2 axles) Minibus
Pesados 2	Buses and lorries with 4 axles or more

Toll charges and payment

Toll charges

On private motorways in Spain (autopistas), you must take a ticket at entrance ramps and pay the applicable fee at a toll station when leaving or changing motorways. This toll is calculated based on the distance travelled and the vehicle category. On a few sections, you pay a flat rate regardless of the kilometres driven.

At around 10 euros per 100 kilometres, Spain's toll is one of the most expensive in Europe.

**These rates have been in effect since 1 January 2024. For more information, please refer to autopistas.**
Routes	Ligeros (Car)
AP-6 Villalba - Adanero	12,55 £
AP-51 Villacastín - Ávila	1,42 £
AP-61 San Rafael - Segovia	2,41 £
AP-68 Bilbao - Logroño	15,86 £
AP-68 Bilbao - Zaragoza	32,01 £
AP-71 León - Astroga	4,94 £

Payment

At toll stations you can pay in cash, with major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express) or with a toll box.
The various payment options are displayed at the toll stations:

If you pay in cash, you must take the lane that is labelled "Manual" or with a green dot.
If you want to pay with your credit card, you must take the lane showing a credit or debit card.
To make an electronic payment, you must take the lane labelled with a white T, Telepeaje or VIA-T.

What is the Via-T-Box?

To use the electronic toll system in Spain, you need an electronic transponder box installed in your vehicle. Your licence plate number is registered on this box.

The Via-T toll box is an electronic toll device that is used at Spanish toll stations. The box allows you to drive past toll stations automatically without having to stop and pay manually.

The Via-T device is attached to the inside of the windscreen of the vehicle. It communicates with the toll stations using an RFID chip. The system registers the licence plate number when the vehicle passes through and charges the toll amount to your user account.

The transponder box can also be installed and used in rental cars.

How are tolls controlled in Spain?

In Spain, the toll is monitored using toll stations and camera systems at the entrances and exits of motorways. The camera system is mainly used for electronic tolls and compares the licence plates with the electronic toll system. There may also be manual checks by the responsible toll authorities or the local police.

Fines and penalties

If you do not pay the motorway toll in Spain, you may face various consequences:

Interest: If you do not pay the toll within a certain period, a penalty interest will be added to the unpaid toll. The amount of the fine may vary from the unpaid toll fee.
Reminder fees: If the outstanding toll charges are not paid within the specified period, you will receive reminders that must be settled with a fee.