Pedestrians in Spain face a €80 fine this April 2026 for crossing the street while using a mobile phone, as the DGT intensifies its campaign against “distracted walking.” Despite following traffic lights or using zebra crossings, pedestrians can be sanctioned for minor negligence if their focus on a screen compromises road safety. This shift comes after data revealed that 20% to 30% of serious urban accidents involve pedestrians being hit due to reduced peripheral vision, which drops by 95% when looking at a smartphone.

While the fine does not deduct license points, police in major cities are now treating the habit as a preventable hazard, prioritizing enforcement at busy intersections and tourist hotspots throughout the spring season.

A small action that can lead to a fine

Crossing the street while looking at your phone is now being treated as a distraction that can directly impact road safety. Authorities warn that pedestrians who step onto crossings without paying attention to traffic signals, vehicles, or their surroundings may face an €80 fine if they are seen using their phone at the same time. The measure is not entirely new in legal terms, but enforcement is becoming more visible as urban accidents involving pedestrians remain a concern.

Why this is being enforced now

Pedestrian safety has become a growing focus in Spain’s road strategy. According to traffic data, a significant proportion of serious urban accidents involve pedestrians, often in situations where attention is reduced. Distraction, particularly from mobile phones, has been identified as a key factor.

This latest warning reflects a broader shift: responsibility on the road is no longer limited to drivers. Authorities are increasingly targeting everyday behaviours that may seem harmless but can lead to dangerous situations in busy streets.

What counts as an offence

The fine does not apply simply to holding a phone while walking. The issue arises when a pedestrian crosses the road without proper attention, especially when distracted by a device. This includes situations such as:

• stepping onto a zebra crossing while focused on a screen
• ignoring traffic signals
• failing to check for approaching vehicles

In these cases, police can consider the behaviour negligent and issue a fine.

A wider shift in how road safety is enforced

This move is part of a broader trend in Spain’s traffic policy. Instead of focusing only on major violations, authorities are increasingly addressing smaller, everyday behaviours that contribute to accidents. The goal is not only to penalise but to reduce preventable incidents in urban areas where vehicles and pedestrians interact constantly.

What pedestrians should keep in mind

The message from traffic authorities is straightforward: awareness matters. Crossing the road requires full attention, regardless of whether you are behind the wheel or on foot. As enforcement increases, even brief distractions could carry consequences.

For expats, it is particularly relevant, as rules around pedestrian responsibility can differ from other countries. What may be seen as normal behaviour elsewhere could lead to a fine in Spain if it creates a risk.

As we already mentioned in our previous article, the latest DGT magazine is taking a closer look at the big changes happening on Spain’s roads – and one of the most interesting shifts right now is happening quietly in the background: electric cars are finally becoming affordable.

For years, going electric felt like a leap most drivers simply couldn’t justify. It wasn’t just about range or charging points – it was the price. Spending €35,000 or more on a car that still felt ‘new’ and uncertain wasn’t exactly appealing, especially for everyday drivers in Spain who just want something reliable and practical.

But that picture is starting to change – and quite quickly.

Electric cars are starting to look… normal

There’s something different about what’s coming in 2026. It’s not flashy technology or big promises – it’s much simpler than that.

It’s price.

Manufacturers have finally understood that if electric cars are going to take over, they need to fit into people’s real lives – and real budgets. So instead of focusing on high-end models, they’re now pushing into the segments where most people actually buy cars: small city cars and compact models.

And for the first time, we’re talking about prices hovering around €25,000 – sometimes even less before incentives.

That’s a completely different conversation.

A quiet turning point already happening in Europe

What’s interesting is that this shift isn’t just coming – it’s already underway.

According to figures from Europe’s car manufacturers, December saw something that would have sounded impossible not long ago: electric car sales actually edged past petrol cars across the European market.

It wasn’t by a huge margin, but it happened. And that alone says a lot about where things are heading.

Even in Spain, where drivers have often been hesitant – partly because of infrastructure, partly because of inconsistent subsidies – electric car registrations have been steadily climbing.

People are clearly paying attention now.

Why this matters for drivers in Spain

For anyone living in Spain – especially expats trying to make sense of rising fuel costs, low-emission zones and changing rules – this shift could be a big deal.

Because once the price barrier disappears, everything else starts to feel more manageable.

You’re no longer choosing between ‘expensive but green’ and ‘affordable but traditional’. You’re just choosing a car.

And that’s exactly the point the DGT seems to be making in this latest magazine: electric cars are no longer a niche option for a small group of early adopters. They’re moving into the mainstream.

Maybe not overnight – but for the first time, it actually feels within reach.