Valencia rolls out Low Emission Zone with support for low-income residents

Valencia has introduced a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) to ban the most polluting vehicles from entering the most sensitive areas, although fines will not be introduced until 1 December 2025. 

Data from the City Council of Valencia indicates that low-income residents are disproportionately affected, as they are more likely to own older, higher-emission vehicles compared to wealthier population groups. To offset this impact, the City Council is providing free public transport tickets to those affected by the LEZ. The city’s public transport provider, Empresa Municipal de Transportes (EMT), will introduce a new seasonal ticket with a two-year validity. These tickets will expire earlier if holders acquire a compliant vehicle that meets LEZ entry requirements.

The rollout of the LEZ and free public transport tickets follows a phased schedule:

• Until 30 November 2025 – Information phase before restrictions take effect.
• From December 2025 – The LEZ applies to vehicles registered outside the Province of Valencia.
• From January 2027 – The LEZ applies to vehicles registered outside the City of Valencia.
• From January 2028 – The LEZ applies to all vehicles.

Mobility Councillor Jesús Carbonell explained that the new LEZ is planned around the perimeter ring of the city’s ring roads, ensuring that vehicles can bypass the city without entering it.

Author: Claus Köllinger

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.