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Practical legal guide · Spain

Fine from Spain: do I have to pay it? Alcohol limits and penalties

Got a fine from Spain or stopped by Spanish police? Paying within 20 days halves it. Spain finds the vehicle keeper in the Czech register, and a final fine of EUR 70 or more can also be enforced in the Czech Republic. Here are the alcohol limits, speeding fines and on-the-spot deposits.

Describe your case

Updated and verified:

Short answer

  1. Pay half within 20 days, or challenge it
  2. A final fine from EUR 70 can be enforced in Czechia
  3. Without residence in Spain you pay a deposit or the car stays

The alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, 0.3 for novice and professional drivers. Find a lawyer on LawBridge.

Describe your case

Quick answers

Do I have to pay a fine from Spain?
Yes, if it is justified. Spain finds the vehicle keeper in the Czech vehicle register and sends a letter, usually in the language of the registration certificate, so in Czech. A final fine of EUR 70 or more can also be enforced in the Czech Republic. If you disagree, you challenge it in Spain under local rules and deadlines.
What is the alcohol limit in Spain?
0.5 g/l in the blood or 0.25 mg/l in the breath. Drivers in the first 2 years after getting their licence and professional drivers have a 0.3 g/l limit (0.15 mg/l in the breath).
How much is a speeding fine in Spain?
Where the limit is 50 km/h: 51–70 km/h EUR 100, 71–80 km/h EUR 300, 81–90 km/h EUR 400, 91–100 km/h EUR 500, from 101 km/h EUR 600. Where the limit is 120 km/h: 121–150 km/h EUR 100, 151–170 km/h EUR 300, 171–180 km/h EUR 400, 181–190 km/h EUR 500, from 191 km/h EUR 600.

When this situation arises

  • You received a letter with a fine from Spain for speeding, parking or another offence
  • Police in Spain stopped you and want a fine or a deposit on the spot
  • You face a driving ban or criminal proceedings in Spain for alcohol or high speed

What options do you have

Pay the fine

If you accept the offence, pay within the deadline in the letter or on the spot. Keep the proof of payment.

Challenge it in Spain

If you disagree, file an objection or appeal with the authority that issued the fine, within its deadline. The case follows the law of Spain.

Challenge enforcement in the Czech Republic

If a Czech district court decides on recognising the foreign fine, it can refuse, among other things, for a fine below EUR 70. What you already paid abroad is deducted.

Recommended step-by-step process

  1. 1.

    Check the letter

    Check the date, place, registration number, the authority that issued the fine and the deadline to pay or object.

  2. 2.

    Decide before the deadline

    Pay, or challenge it in time with the authority in Spain.

  3. 3.

    Keep the proof of payment

    It shows the fine is paid if anyone tries to enforce it again.

  4. 4.

    A lawyer for a serious offence

    Alcohol, high speed or an accident can mean criminal proceedings in Spain. A lawyer helps with the defence and with what follows in the Czech Republic.

What documents to prepare

  • The fine letter or decision and the envelope with the date of delivery
  • Vehicle registration certificate and driving licence
  • Proof of payment of the fine or deposit
  • Photos, witnesses or a recording from the scene if you dispute the offence

Common mistakes

  • Ignoring the letter because nobody will enforce a foreign fine
  • Missing the deadline to object abroad
  • Paying with the discount and then wanting to challenge the fine: payment ends the case

Risks and important deadlines

Car immobilised

Without a deposit from a driver not resident in Spain, and after a positive or refused alcohol or drug test, the car can be immobilised.

Discount for 20 days only

The 50 percent discount applies only if you pay on the spot or within 20 calendar days.

Short deadlines

The deadlines to pay and to object are set by Spain and are often short.

When it's worth contacting a lawyer

When you face a driving ban, criminal proceedings for alcohol or speed, or a seized car in Spain, or when a Czech court serves you a request to recognise a foreign fine. A lawyer looks at the defence in Spain and the consequences in the Czech Republic. On LawBridge, a search engine for lawyers, you can find a traffic lawyer and describe your situation in a request. Legal services are always paid.

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Related pages

Frequently asked questions

When is speeding a crime in Spain?

When you exceed the limit by more than 60 km/h in town or more than 80 km/h outside town. It can bring 3 to 6 months in prison, a fine or community service, and loss of the right to drive for 1 to 4 years.

Do I have to pay on the spot in Spain?

If you cannot show legal residence in Spain, the officer sets a provisional fine on the spot. If you do not pay it by card or in cash in euros, you must leave the car at the place indicated. The 50 percent discount is taken into account.

Is it worth paying a Spanish fine quickly?

Paying on the spot or within 20 calendar days halves the fine. You then give up the right to challenge it and the case ends.

How much is a drink-driving fine in Spain?

Usually EUR 500. EUR 1,000 if you have more than double the limit or were sanctioned for alcohol in the previous year. Above 1.2 g/l in the blood (0.60 mg/l in the breath) it is a crime.

What happens if I do not pay a fine from Spain?

Spain can have a final fine of EUR 70 or more enforced in the Czech Republic. A district court where you stay decides on recognition, and the customs office then collects the amount. For a fine below EUR 70 the court can refuse. What you already paid abroad is deducted.

Does a driving ban from Spain apply in the Czech Republic?

We did not find the scope of a Spanish driving ban for foreign drivers in official sources. No EU rule in force yet makes a foreign driving ban apply automatically in the Czech Republic. From 26 November 2029, the country where you got a ban of at least 3 months for a serious offence, such as alcohol or high speed, will notify the Czech Republic, and the Czech authorities will withdraw, suspend or restrict the licence.

What changes from 2027?

EU countries must apply new rules by 20 July 2027. The traffic offence notice must then be issued within 11 months, in the language of the registration certificate, and say how to pay and how to object. The country of residence will then recognise a final fine above EUR 70 without further formality, if it was served on you and you could defend yourself.

Verified sources

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