Will it be possible to park the car in granada. Parking rules in Spain

As in most major European cities, parking a car in Barcelona is not a trivial task and can be a little nerve-wracking. This is especially true for some central regions during the daytime.

If you are visiting Barcelona in a car with a foreign registration and you do not have an apartment with a garage, then you need to find secure parking. Although the city has a large number of parking spaces, car parks in Barcelona have limited space. In addition, they fill up very quickly.

Be aware that cars with foreign registrations are more targeted by scammers. When leaving your car in a parking lot, make sure your doors and trunk are locked and your windows are closed, or at least not open enough for someone to break in and get something of value.

So, let's figure out what types of parking lots are in Barcelona and how they are marked.

Parking types (zones) in Barcelona

There are three types of parking spaces in Barcelona: green zone, blue zone and free zone. In addition, there are special markings for unloading points and lanes for buses, where you can also park for free at certain times.

Green area (Àrea verda)

Parking spaces in area verda are marked with green markings applied on the asphalt. These car parks are primarily for local residents who pay only €1 per week.

For those who do not have a resident card, the price is higher, and parking is limited in time to one or two hours.

These parking lots are usually free from 20:00 to 08:00 every day, and in some areas also on Saturdays and Sundays. From August 1 to August 31, all green spaces are free due to summer holidays, with the exception of those that are exclusive to local residents.

We recommend that you always pay attention to the next to the parking lot to avoid surprises and make sure that you have not violated anything. Keep in mind that on some streets the side of the sidewalk where you can park changes periodically.

Always check the information on the specific sign for your parking area.

Vehicles owned by both residents and non-residents can be parked in the green zone without restrictions outside the working hours indicated on the sign.

Parking rates in the Green Zone (Àrea verda)

For non-residents, the cost of parking is from € 2.75 to 3.00 depending on the area from 08:00 to 20:00 on weekdays. The rest of the time, parking is free.

Blue zone (Àrea blava)

Parking spaces in area blava are indicated by blue markings applied to the asphalt. These car parks are located near shopping malls, hospitals, schools, etc. The main purpose of these car parks is to provide parking for the maximum number of people visiting the area.

The time when parking in the blue zone is subject to payment coincides with peak traffic times in the city. This is from 09:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00 on weekdays. However, in the city center parking may be paid on Saturdays, and in the beach area on Sundays and public holidays.

Just like in the green zone, the side of the sidewalk where you can park may change from time to time.

Parking in the blue zone given time is paid for everyone and is limited in time from 1 to 4 hours depending on the area. Parking must be paid immediately after stopping at the nearest parking meter.

The issued ticket must be placed under the windshield so that it is clearly visible to the controller. Otherwise, he may issue a fine. The usual fine is €100 for improper parking and €150 for paying a tow truck.

Outside of these times, you can park your car in the blue zone for free, so it is not necessary to leave a ticket on the dashboard.

Parking rates in the Blue Zone (Àrea blava)

In the blue zone, rates are set based on existing demand for parking. In Eixample and Ciutat Vella, where demand is high, rate A applies, while rate B applies in other areas of Àrea Verda. Tariffs C and D apply in areas where there is less demand for parking.

Free Zone

Finding free zones in the city center will be problematic. Basically, such zones are located on the outskirts of the city: in the Zona Universitaria area, in the Poble Sec area (near Montjuic Mountain), in the Bogatell area. In these places you can leave the car for a long time.

The main disadvantage of such parking is that you leave the car far from the center and sometimes even far from the area where you live. And such parking lots are not guarded and do not provide security guarantees.

Although we must not forget that Barcelona is famous for its developed public transport, and you can easily get to any area by metro or bus.

You can also consider free parking options at the La Maquinista shopping center (Calle Potosí), near the Ikea store (calle Сiencias 100). However, these car parks may be closed at night.

Here are some more addresses free parking:

Av. Carmen Amaya, 44, 08902 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
Carrer d'Enric Barges, 3, 08014 Barcelona
Carrer de Josep Serrano, 77, 08024 Barcelona
Carrer de la República Dominicana, 264 (La Maquinista), Barcelona
Sagrera, 44, 08027 Barcelona
Carrer de Berenguer de Palou, 78, Barcelona
Passeig de Valldaura, 223 08016, Barcelona
Carrer Bòbiles, 2, 08905 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona

Places for unloading

Barcelona has designated areas for the loading and unloading of trucks and vans, where you can leave a certain type of vehicle for 30 minutes from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 20:00.

These zones are marked with yellow zigzag markings. Outside of the schedule, places with such markings are available for free parking.

Bus lanes

Some bus lanes in the city offer free parking on weekends. Usually such lanes are found on wide streets. Such, for example, as Muntaner or Balmes. In any case, an appropriate sign must always hang from above, indicating the possibility of parking on weekends.

There should be a sign next to each parking lot indicating who and how long can be in this parking lot.

The "Àrea residents" sign means that only residents can use the parking lot. A parking ticket is required between 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday.

The sign "Àrea preferent" means that parking is allowed for everyone. However, for non-residents, the maximum parking time is 1 hour. A parking ticket for non-residents is required from 08:00 to 20:00 from Monday to Saturday, and for residents only from Monday to Friday.

The "Àrea blava" sign means that parking is allowed for everyone. A parking ticket is required from 09:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday. The maximum parking time is 2 hours.

Garages in Barcelona

Barcelona has a sufficient number of underground parking lots. And along the roads there are information boards that indicate where the nearest parking is and the number of free spaces in it.

Unfortunately, they have one major drawback - high price. You can pay from € 17 to 30 per day. On the other hand, if you want to stop for a couple of hours to watch the singing fountains, then underground parking can be considered quite an acceptable option.

Advice to all travelers by car!!!

Do not go to the city center unless absolutely necessary. Public transport well developed in the city: you can easily get to any point in the city center by metro or bus.

Parking on the streets of Spain

Tourists who come on holiday to Spain and use car rental services are invariably faced with the need to park their four-wheeled friend. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with the rules in force in Spain for motorists in advance. Otherwise, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise in the form of a large fine, and even worse - the evacuation of the car to the impound lot.
According to the established rules, you can only park your car in specially designated places. Police officers, employees of municipalities, as well as the townspeople themselves are closely watching the observance of order.
All parking lots in Spain can be divided into private (parking privado) and public (parking publico).
📍 Private car parks can only be used by a limited number of people, such as employees of the company or enterprise on whose territory the car park is located, as well as owners of apartments in residential complex where is the parking. For third-party car owners, the use of private parking is prohibited. If you leave your car there and the residents of the house or the company's employees notice this, they will most likely call a tow truck, and your "iron horse" will end up on the penalty area.
📍 Public parking lots are intended for use by an unlimited number of people. They can be underground and ground, as well as paid and free. Almost all major commercial centers, supermarkets and business centers have underground parking for their customers and visitors. Most often, they are paid. However, when making a purchase in a store or visiting some establishments, parking is free. To do this, you must provide a parking ticket at the checkout when paying for goods or services. In addition, large supermarkets set free parking hours to attract more customers.

In urban areas, you can often see the P sign, indicating a nearby public parking lot. Usually under such a sign there is a luminous sign indicating the number of free seats. Sometimes it is replaced by a running line with the words "Libre" (which means - there are empty seats) or "Ocupado" (no empty seats). Most of these parking lots are also private, and a fee is charged for their use, which is made when the car leaves the parking lot.
Visitors to the parking lot should always pay attention to the opening hours of the parking lot. Sometimes the parking schedule coincides with the schedule of shops, offices, institutions, although there are also round-the-clock parking lots, which you can use at any time.
There are two things to keep in mind when using public parking lots: firstly, you can't park your car in designated disabled spaces unless you have a permit. Secondly, in such parking lots there are places paid for under a long-term lease and marked with signs “reservado” / “plaza reservada” (the place is reserved) or a sign with registration number car that has the right to park in this place.

Surface paid parking along the streets and avenues in Spain are divided into several zones, marked with different colors:
🚗 blue zone (Zona Azul/Area Blava). This is the most common form of surface paid parking in Spanish cities. Parking spaces are indicated by a dashed blue line on the pavement and a sign depicting a hand dropping a coin. Payment for parking services is made in advance, that is, for the estimated time during which the car will be parked in this area. At a machine (parking meter) located near the parking place, you need to pay for parking and get a paper ticket indicating the time during which the car can be parked, and put it under the windshield. If the paid period has expired, it is necessary to remove the car or make a new payment. The presence of the payment coupon is strictly controlled by the employees of the municipality. In case of delay in parking payment, they will issue you a receipt with a fine, which can be paid directly at the same parking meter as the parking itself. This procedure is called "anular denuncia", the check for payment of the fine, together with the issued receipt, must be lowered into a small window located in the parking meter (usually in its lower part).
Features of using this parking area are:
– the maximum number of hours that can be paid at one time is 2 hours, since the blue zone is not intended for long-term parking. In addition, most often, a minimum parking period is set, which is usually 30 minutes.
– the cost of an hour of parking in the blue zone differs in autonomies, provinces and even municipalities (from 1 to 3 euros / hour).
- the blue parking zone is paid during certain hours, the so-called peak hours: from 9 to 14 hours and from 16-17 to 19-20 hours, and on Saturday only from 9 to 14 hours. On Sunday parking in the blue zone is free, as well as at night.
🚗 The green zone (Zona Verde/Area preferent) exists in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Palma de Mallorca. When parking in this zone, residents living nearby have significant advantages over other car owners, non-residents. In this zone, the cost of parking for residents is much lower than for tourists and non-residents. In addition, in the green zone, residents can leave their car for several days at once without having to constantly run to the parking meter and pay for parking hours. Usually this period is up to 7 days, although some municipalities provide residents with the right to park a car for up to 3 months. To enjoy these benefits, you must apply for a resident card in the local administration. To do this, you will need: a residence card (permiso de residencia) or passport, a certificate of registration (volante del empadronamiento) in a given municipality and a receipt for payment of tax on vehicle for the current year.
🚗 The orange zone (Zona naranja) exists in Valencia, Zaragoza and some others major cities. This zone is a complete analogue of the green zone.
🚗 zone for residents (Zona Residentes/Area Residents). Only car owners living nearby have the right to park in this zone. Most often, these parking spaces are marked in green or orange.
In addition to the above parking areas, in Spain there are special sections of the road intended for unloading and loading. Such zones are marked on the asphalt with diagonal yellow lines. Parking in these places is only allowed for unloading and loading, and the maximum stop time varies from 15 to 30 minutes. Restrictions apply from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm. The use of such areas is free.
Of course, you need to remember about places where parking is completely prohibited. Such zones are highlighted in yellow and the sign of the crossed-out letter E (No Estacionar), as well as similar signs prohibiting parking, which include:
❌ taxi stand;
❌ area for loading and unloading goods;
❌ zone of entry and exit of vehicles (underground and surface garages and parking lots);
❌ areas reserved for use by emergency services (Ambulancia, Policía Local, Protección Civil);
❌ pedestrian areas closed to traffic;
❌ pedestrian crossings;
❌ roadsides with prohibitory markings in the form of a solid yellow stripe.

May 25, 2010 in Spain was adopted new law governing the rules of the road. In particular, the new law described the system for paying fines by drivers in Spain.

This order was approved by the Ministry of the Interior of Spain. In this article, we will explain how you can pay your fine online.

1. First of all, you need to go to the official page Trafico Spain. Here you can pay a fine for violations in Spain by credit card.

If you have received a notification via the new electronic system, then in the left corner look for the words "Trámites y multas: JEFATURA VIRTUAL".

Click on the line that is shown in the picture, and then click on "Pago de Multas"

2. We select the section "payment of a fine WITHOUT a certificate". Below are screenshots of the screen.

In Spanish look for the words:

"Pago de multas (sin certificado digital ni DNI electrónico)"

3. You will get a form window to fill out.

Here you are asked for your identification data if you have a resident card.

4. Choose the type of document NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), and if there is no residence, then fill in the passport data (No., when issued, etc.).

5. Hint: if your system does not accept the number, which sometimes happens, then just add some Latin letter at the end. Then the site will load your data.

6. Where it says "Record Number" - fill in the number of your "penal case". In the fine certificate, this is exactly what is written "№ EXPEDIENTE". It's 12 digits so you can't go wrong

7. In the "import" line, indicate the amount of the fine that you have on the receipt. And choose the words Pagament amb targeta.

8. At this point, the secure payment system is activated (new window) After that. As there you enter the number of your bank card, its expiration date, click "continuar".

9. After loading the card data, enter the CVV code (you will see it with reverse side cards)

If you want to print your payment, you need to click the "imprimir" button

Trafico Spain clarified:

Drivers, provided that they pay the fine within 20 days through the online system, receive a 20% discount.

How to properly park your car in Spanish cities

Tourists holidaying in Spain and renting a car to move around the peninsula often face the problem of parking their 4-wheeled friend. Therefore, you should familiarize yourself with the rules in force in Spain for motorists in advance. Otherwise, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise in the form of a large fine, and even worse - the evacuation of the car to the penalty area.

According to the established rules of the road, you can only park your car in specially designated places. Compliance with this order is closely monitored by the traffic police, municipal employees, and sometimes the townspeople themselves. All parking lots in Spain can be divided into private (parking privado) and public (parking publico).

– Private car parks can only be used by a limited number of people, such as employees of the company or company on whose territory the car park is located, as well as owners of apartments in the residential complex where the car park is located. Other car owners cannot use such private parking lots. If you leave your car there and the residents of the house or the employees of the enterprise notice this, they will most likely call a tow truck, and your “iron horse” will end up on the penalty area. Accordingly, in order to save him, you will have to pay a fine, as well as storage services at the penalty area.

– Public parking lots are intended for use by an unlimited number of people. They can be underground and ground, as well as paid and free. Almost all major commercial centers, supermarkets and business centers have underground parking for their customers and visitors. Most often, they are paid. However, when making a purchase in a store or visiting some establishments, parking is free. To do this, you must present a parking ticket at the checkout. In addition, large supermarkets set free parking hours to attract more customers.

In urban areas, you can often see the "P" sign, indicating a nearby public parking lot. Usually under such a sign there is a luminous sign indicating the number of free seats. Sometimes it is replaced by a running line with the words "Libre" (which means - there are empty seats) or "Ocupado" (no empty seats). Most of these parking lots are also private, and a fee is charged for their use, which is made when the car leaves the parking lot.

Visitors to the parking lot should always pay attention to the opening hours of the parking lot. Sometimes the parking schedule coincides with the schedule of shops, offices, institutions, although there are also round-the-clock parking lots, which you can use at any time.

There are two things to keep in mind when using public parking lots: firstly, you can't park your car in designated disabled spaces unless you have a permit. Secondly, in such parking lots there are places paid for under a long-term lease agreement and marked with signs “reservado” / “plazo reservado” (place reserved) or a sign with the registration number of a car that has the right to park in this place.

Surface paid parking along the streets and avenues in Spain are divided into several zones, marked with different colors:

– blue zone (Zona Azul/Area Blava). This is the most common form of surface paid parking in Spanish cities. Parking spaces are indicated by a dashed blue line on the pavement and a sign depicting a hand dropping a coin. Payment for parking services is made in advance, that is, for the estimated time during which the car will be parked in this area. At a machine (parking meter) located near the parking place, you need to pay for parking and get a paper ticket indicating the time during which the car can be parked, and put it under the windshield. If the paid period has expired, it is necessary to remove the car or make a new payment. The presence of the payment coupon is strictly controlled by the employees of the municipality. In case of delay in parking payment, they will issue you a receipt with a fine, which can be paid directly at the same parking meter as the parking itself. This procedure is called "anular denuncia", the check for payment of the fine, together with the issued receipt, must be lowered into a small window located in the parking meter (usually in its lower part).

Features of using this parking area are:

– the maximum number of hours that can be paid at one time is 2-3 hours, since the blue zone is not intended for long-term parking. In addition, most often, a minimum parking period is set, which is usually 30 minutes.

– the cost of an hour of parking in the blue zone differs in autonomies, provinces and even municipalities (from 1 to 3 euros / hour).

- the blue parking zone is paid during certain hours, during the so-called peak hours: from 9 to 14 hours and from 16-17 to 19-20 hours, and on Saturday only from 9 to 14 hours. On Sunday parking in the blue zone is free, as well as at night.

- the green zone (Zona Verde/Area preferent) exists in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Palma de Mallorca. When parking in this zone, residents living nearby have significant advantages over other car owners, non-residents. In this zone, the cost of parking for residents is much lower than for tourists and non-residents. In addition, in the green zone, residents can leave their car for several days at once without having to constantly run to the parking meter and pay for parking hours. Usually this period is up to 7 days, although some municipalities provide residents with the right to park a car for up to 3 months. To enjoy these benefits, you must apply for a resident card in the local administration. To do this, you will need: a resident card (permiso de residencia) or passport, a certificate of residence (volante del empadronamiento) in a given municipality and a receipt for payment of vehicle tax for the current year.

- the orange zone (Zona naranja) exists in Valencia, Zaragoza and some other large cities. This zone is a complete analogue of the green zone.

- zone for residents (Zona Residentes / Area Residents). Only car owners living nearby have the right to park in this zone. Most often, these parking spaces are marked in green or orange.

In addition to the above parking areas, in Spain there are special sections of the road intended for unloading and loading. Such zones are marked on the asphalt with diagonal yellow lines. Parking in these places is only allowed for unloading and loading, and the maximum stop time varies from 15 to 30 minutes. Restrictions apply from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm. The use of such areas is free.

. In this article, we will talk about the basic rules for parking in Spain.

The rules of the road in Spain are in many ways similar to those in Russia. You can only park your car in the designated area. At the same time, do not underestimate the severity of local policemen, they vigilantly monitor compliance with parking rules. The same can be said about local residents. If you parked in front of a house with a prohibiting parkingsign, the owner of the house will certainly call a tow truck.

Of course, there are exceptional situations. For example, during football matches, the police often turn a blind eye to the incorrectly parked cars around the stadium. Or are you just lucky : the owner of the house with prohibited parking in front of the entrance is not present. However, don't count on luck. If you cannot find a place to leave your car, it is better not to break the law and use paid parking services.

1. Underground paid parking in Spain

In malls and stores
All major commercial centers in Spain have underground parking. In shopping centers located within the city, as a rule, these are paid parking lots, however, under certain conditions, they can be used for free. Large shopping centers often offer free parking hours in certain time days (usually after lunch), which can be extended by making purchases for the appropriate amount.
Many grocery stores also have underground parking free of charge for customers. When paying for groceries, you must present your parking ticket at the checkout.
City underground paid parking
In this case, we are talking about underground parking lots located in residential and commercial buildings marked with the “P” sign, parking publico (public parking). On the scoreboard The sign indicates the availability of parking spaces: "libre" means that there are free spaces in the parking lot, "ocupado" - there are no parking spaces.
Despite the name "public", these car parks are private, and a fee is charged for their use. The cost of parking and the opening hours of parking lots depend on the calculations of the owner. There are car parks that are open 24 hours, while others are already closed at 20:00. Therefore, upon arrival at the parking lot, be sure to familiarize yourself with the conditions of its work.
Please note that paid underground parking spaces are leased for a long term. Such parking spaces are marked with the words "plaza reservada" or simply "reservado". Even if the place is free, you are not allowed to park your car there.

2. Ground paid parking

blue zone

The blue zone, or "zona azul" (in Barcelona - "área blava"), is the most common form of surface paid parking in Spanish cities. Parking spaces are indicated by a dashed blue line on the pavement and a sign depicting a hand dropping a coin. If in underground parking lots payment is made at the exit, then in the blue zone payment is made immediately after you have parked the car. At a special parking meter, you pay for the required amount of parking time, get a ticket and put it under the windshield in a prominent place. The availability of this coupon is strictly controlled by blue zone employees. If the time you paid has expired, you must pay again and put the ticket under the windshield. Otherwise, you will be issued a fine, and the car can be evacuated to the impound.

Parking time. The maximum number of watches that can be purchased at one time does not exceed 2 hours. This restriction is explained by the fact that the blue zone is not intended for long-term parking and is intended to ensure the constant availability of parking spaces in the city. In addition, the presence of the blue zone eliminates the accumulation of abandoned cars on the streets of Spanish cities.
The cost of an hour of parking in the blue zone varies from city to city and is 2-3 euros. The blue zone is paid only during certain hours: from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00, on Saturday from 9:00 to 14:00. In different cities to the schedule minor changes may be made. So at night and on Sunday you can park in the blue zone for free. Be careful with the coastal zone. In winter, you can usually park for free in the blue zone, but in summer period the blue zone may be paid for longer than the usual period.

Green and orange zones

Green Zone, "zona verde" (in Barcelona - "área preferent"), and the orange zone, "zona naranja", exist in many major cities in Spain and are a kind of subspecies of the blue zone, but with one difference. Car owners who live nearby (residents) have significant advantages when parking in these areas compared to the rest (non-residents).

Price. If in the blue zone the cost of parking is the same for everyone, then in the green and orange zones for residents the cost of parking is much lower than for non-residents.
Parking time. Residents can leave their cars at once for up to 7 days (sometimes even up to 3 months), while non-residents can only buy 1–2 hours of parking at a time and at certain times of the day: from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 20:00 , some car parks allow parking also on Saturday.

What is the difference between green and orange zones? Both perform the same function, the color changes depending on the city. The green zone exists in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Seville, the orange zone in Valencia, Zaragoza and others. In order to take advantage of this parking, car owners must apply for a resident card. A prerequisite is the presence of a residence permit in this place.

Residents only area

Only car owners living nearby are allowed to park in these zones. This can be a green or orange zone marked "zona residentes" or "área residents" in Barcelona.

3. Unloading and loading area

These zones are marked with diagonal yellow lines on the asphalt. Parking at this location is only permitted for loading and unloading. The maximum time for unloading and loading is usually 30 minutes from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 20:00. The use of these zones is free.