New Traffic Rules in Spain from October 2026
Sandor Farkas
Founder and editor of Mallorca Plus
Helps expats and residents navigate authorities, housing and everyday life on Mallorca.
Spain has overhauled its road traffic regulations more thoroughly than it has in years. The new traffic rules in Spain apply from 1 October 2026 and mainly affect three groups: e-scooter riders, motorcyclists, and drivers who overtake cyclists. If you live on Mallorca, you should know the changes before the Guardia Civil knows you. Breaches of the new obligations count as a serious offence and cost EUR 200. The basics of Spanish road traffic are in our overview of traffic rules in Spain; this post is about what is new from October.
At a glance
Real Decreto 518/2026 reforms Spain's road traffic regulations from 1 October 2026. The main changes: mandatory helmets and a minimum age of 15 on e-scooters, mandatory gloves and footwear for motorcyclists, and at least 1.5 metres of clearance plus 20 km/h less speed when overtaking cyclists. Breaches generally cost EUR 200.
For context: Real Decreto 518/2026 is the reform of the Reglamento General de Circulación, Spain's road traffic code. It was published in the official gazette BOE on 26 June 2026, applies from 1 October 2026, and puts the protection of pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders at its centre.
E-scooters: helmets, minimum age and no pavements
The reform hits e-scooter riders hardest. In Spain they are called VMPs (vehículos de movilidad personal). Until now, each municipality regulated much of this itself: Palma had its own by-laws, other towns hardly any. From October the same rules apply nationwide:
- Helmets are mandatory for all e-scooter riders, regardless of age
- Minimum age of 15
- Riding on pavements is banned everywhere
- Turning and stopping must be signalled by hand
- Lights must be switched on during the day too
The daytime lights rule only takes effect on 1 October 2027, to give manufacturers and owners time to retrofit. Everything else applies from October 2026. On top of that comes the insurance requirement for e-scooters, which has been in force since January 2026 and is a topic in itself.
Warning: Palma is already checking today
The Policía Local in Palma already checks e-scooters regularly, especially on the Paseo Marítimo and in the old town. With the nationwide rules from October, any excuse based on unclear municipal by-laws disappears.
Motorcycles: gloves and closed shoes become mandatory
For motorcyclists and their passengers, the reform prescribes two things many already do. On rural roads and motorways, certified protective gloves are mandatory. Closed shoes must be worn on all roads, so in town as well. Flip-flops on the scooter down to the beach at Cala Ratjada are, from October, a matter for the fines office.
For helmets the standard changes: from 1 October 2027, motorcycle helmets must meet a current homologation standard. If you ride with a very old helmet, you have a year to buy a new one. What else applies to two-wheelers on Mallorca, from re-registration to insurance, is in our motorcycle guide for Mallorca.
Overtaking cyclists: 1.5 metres of clearance and 20 km/h slower
The rule with the biggest consequences for drivers concerns overtaking cyclists on rural roads. What is new is the combination of two obligations:
- Before and during the overtaking manoeuvre, you must reduce your speed to at least 20 km/h below the road's speed limit. On a road with a 90 km/h limit, you therefore pass cyclists at no more than 70 km/h.
- The lateral minimum clearance of 1.5 metres stays and is applied more strictly. If there is not enough room, overtaking is prohibited, even if that means staying behind the bike.
On Mallorca this is no footnote. The island is one of Europe's biggest cycling destinations, and on the routes through the Serra de Tramuntana or across the plain near Sineu, entire pelotons are out from February to May. The Guardia Civil regularly announces targeted checks on such routes, sometimes with cameras in unmarked vehicles.
Tip: Treat groups like a single vehicle
You may overtake a group of cyclists like a single vehicle, in one go with a constant 1.5 metres of clearance. Squeezing in between parts of the group is prohibited, and dangerous because of the riders drafting behind each other.
Fines and transition periods at a glance
| Posten | Kosten | Dauer |
|---|---|---|
| E-scooter without helmet | EUR 200 | from 01/10/2026 |
| E-scooter on the pavement | EUR 200 | from 01/10/2026 |
| Motorcycle without gloves (rural road) | EUR 200 | from 01/10/2026 |
| Overtaking a cyclist too close or too fast | EUR 200 | from 01/10/2026 |
| E-scooter without daytime lights | EUR 200 | from 01/10/2027 |
| Motorcycle helmet without current homologation | EUR 200 | from 01/10/2027 |
The EUR 200 corresponds to the "serious offence" category in the Spanish schedule of fines. As with almost all fines in Spain, the amount is halved to EUR 100 if paid within 20 days. The details of the individual offences are published by the traffic authority DGT on its website, where the official information campaigns usually appear before October as well.
The reform joins a series of changes that have already kept drivers in Spain busy in 2026: since January the connected V16 warning light is mandatory and fully replaces the warning triangle.
Frequently asked questions about the new traffic rules
Do the new traffic rules also apply to cars with foreign plates?
Yes. Rules of conduct such as overtaking clearance and speed limits apply to all vehicles on Spanish roads, regardless of the country of registration. Only equipment requirements such as the V16 light depend on the vehicle's country of registration.
Will e-scooter riders need a driving licence from October?
No. The reform does not introduce a licence requirement for e-scooters. It requires a minimum age of 15, a helmet, hand signals and compliance with the rules of the road.
Does the glove rule also apply to scooter riders in town?
In built-up areas gloves are not required, but closed shoes are. On rural roads both apply, including for 125cc scooters and for passengers.
Conclusion
1 October 2026 brings the biggest change to Spanish road traffic in years, and unlike many reforms this one affects everyday life on Mallorca directly: the scooter to the shops, the teenagers' e-scooter, and every drive along rural roads full of cyclists. The rules themselves are quickly learned; it only gets expensive for those who ignore them. Before October, check that you have a helmet and gloves and that your car insurance in Spain also covers the two-wheeler. You will find the full legal text in the BOE and the practical basics in our guide to traffic rules in Spain.