Drink Driving Limit in Spain (2026 Update for Drivers & Car Hire Customers)

If you are driving or hiring a car in Spain, it is essential to understand the current drink-driving laws, as Spain enforces strict limits and penalties to improve road safety.

Whether you are a resident or visiting the Costa Blanca, knowing the rules will help you stay safe, legal, and avoid serious fines.

At Mia Cars, we always ensure our customers are informed about the latest driving regulations in Spain.

Current drink-driving limits in Spain (2026)

As of now, the legal alcohol limits in Spain remain unchanged, following the rejection of proposed stricter reforms earlier in 2026.

The current limits are:

General drivers

• 0.5 g/l blood alcohol
• 0.25 mg/l breath alcohol

Novice and professional drivers

• 0.3 g/l blood alcohol
• 0.15 mg/l breath alcohol

Under 18 or certain low-experience drivers

• 0.0 (zero tolerance)

These limits apply to all drivers, including tourists and foreign licence holders.

Important 2026 update: proposed stricter limits (not yet law)

In 2025–2026, Spanish authorities proposed reducing the legal limit to:

• 0.2 g/l blood alcohol for all drivers

This would have effectively created a near zero-tolerance system, meaning even one small drink could exceed the limit.

However, as of now:

• The proposal has not been approved
• The current legal limits still apply

Authorities continue to review road safety laws, so further changes may still happen in the future.

Penalties for drink driving in Spain

Spanish authorities take drink driving very seriously. Penalties depend on the alcohol level detected:

Standard offences

• €500 fine + 4 licence points
• €1,000 fine + 6 licence points (higher levels or repeat offences)

Serious offences

• Possible driving ban
• Vehicle immobilisation
• Criminal charges in extreme cases

Refusal to take a breath test

• Heavy fines
• Possible imprisonment
• Driving licence suspension

Why Spain has strict drink-driving rules

Alcohol is a major factor in road accidents in Spain, particularly in tourist and coastal regions.

The law is designed to:

• Reduce accidents
• Improve road safety
• Protect all road users
• Encourage responsible driving behaviour

Even small amounts of alcohol can affect reaction times and decision-making.

What this means for tourists and car hire customers

If you are hiring a car in Spain, the safest advice is simple:

Do not drink alcohol if you are driving.

Even one drink can:

• Put you close to the legal limit
• Risk fines or licence penalties
• Affect insurance validity in the event of an accident

Mia Cars advice for safe driving

At Mia Cars, we always recommend:

• Plan transport if you are drinking
• Use taxis or designated drivers
• Never assume “just one drink is safe”
• Always stay well below legal limits

Our goal is to ensure every customer enjoys a safe and stress-free driving experience in Spain.

If you're driving in Spain, it's best to avoid alcohol completely.