Two drivers can take almost the same car for an ITV inspection in Spain this year and walk away paying completely different prices. In some regions, motorists are paying little more than €30, while in others the bill for a diesel vehicle is climbing past €60. And with prices rising again in several parts of the country, many drivers are starting to ask the same question: how can the same mandatory inspection cost so much more depending on where you live?

The ITV has always been one of those unavoidable expenses for drivers in Spain. But in 2026, it is becoming a growing frustration, especially for people already dealing with higher fuel prices, insurance increases and tighter driving restrictions in many cities.

What surprises many motorists is that there is no single ITV price across Spain. The inspection itself is mandatory nationwide, but the amount people actually pay depends on the autonomous community, the type of vehicle and even the station they choose.

For drivers with diesel cars, the difference can be especially painful.

Why the ITV costs much more in some parts of Spain

Many drivers assume the ITV works like a national fixed fee. It does not. The technical side of vehicle inspections is regulated under Royal Decree 920/2017, which establishes the safety and environmental checks stations must carry out. But pricing is left largely in the hands of the autonomous communities.

That is where the big differences begin.

Some regions regulate tariffs directly. Others operate with more open competition between private ITV companies. As a result, prices can vary sharply from one province to another.

In Catalonia, for example, a standard petrol car inspection currently sits at just over €40, while a diesel vehicle rises to roughly €45.

In Andalusia, prices vary depending on the vehicle type and station, but diesel inspections can approach €50.

Meanwhile, in places such as Cantabria and the Valencian Community, certain diesel vehicles may end up paying more than €60 for the inspection.

Madrid is another example where drivers often see major price differences between stations because the market is more liberalised. That means comparing prices before booking an appointment can genuinely save money.

Some motorists are now even travelling to neighbouring towns or nearby stations purely because the difference in price is worth it.

Diesel drivers are still the ones paying the highest prices

If there is one group feeling the increases most, it is diesel car owners.

Diesel vehicles usually cost more to inspect because the ITV includes stricter emissions testing and additional pollution controls. That extra scrutiny pushes the price up compared with petrol vehicles.

Electric cars can sometimes be slightly cheaper depending on the region, although not dramatically so. For many drivers, however, the frustration is not only about the ITV itself. It is the feeling that driving in Spain is becoming steadily more expensive from every angle.

Insurance has gone up for many households. Fuel prices remain unpredictable. Parking is becoming more complicated in some cities and Low Emission Zones continue expanding. Against that background, even an extra €10 or €15 on an ITV inspection feels annoying to many motorists.

The inspection stations themselves argue that rising operational costs are partly behind the increases.

Energy bills, equipment maintenance and updated inspection technology all come at a price. Modern vehicles also contain increasingly sophisticated electronic systems that ITV stations now have to test properly.

Environmental regulations have added further pressure, especially for diesel engines. Industry sources say some stations had already delayed tariff increases for years and are now trying to recover higher operating costs gradually.

What drivers can do to avoid paying more than necessary

One thing many motorists still do not realise is how much prices can vary between stations in the same area.

In regions with a more competitive system, the difference between two nearby ITV centres can sometimes be surprisingly large for the exact same vehicle. That is why many drivers now compare prices online before booking.

Some stations also offer cheaper appointments during quieter hours or discounts for online bookings, although these promotions are not always easy to spot.

Another way drivers end up spending more than necessary is by failing the inspection over small problems.

Faulty lights, worn tyres, warning lights on the dashboard, damaged wipers or registration plate issues remain among the most common reasons for a failed ITV.

That means checking the vehicle properly beforehand can save both time and money. Drivers are also being advised not to leave the appointment until the last moment.

In some areas, waiting lists can become longer during busy periods and driving with an expired ITV can lead to fines as well as problems with insurance if an accident occurs.

Spanish rules allow drivers to complete the inspection up to 30 days before the expiry date without changing the renewal cycle for the next ITV. For many motorists, that extra flexibility is becoming increasingly useful. But despite all the comparisons, discounts and planning, one reality remains the same across Spain in 2026.

The ITV is still compulsory for everyone. The only thing that changes dramatically is the amount drivers end up paying for it.

Drivers in Spain could soon save thousands of euros on a new car after the government officially launched the new Plan Auto 2030, a replacement for the previous MOVES III scheme. The programme includes grants of up to €5,500 for some vehicles, but the biggest change is how the money will now be applied.

Instead of waiting months for reimbursements or dealing with long administrative procedures, buyers will receive the discount directly at the dealership when purchasing the vehicle.

The new system is designed to make buying electric and low emission vehicles faster and less frustrating at a time when Spain is trying to modernise one of Europe’s oldest vehicle fleets.

The government says the plan is intended to encourage cleaner transport while reducing pollution and accelerating the transition towards more sustainable mobility.

How much money drivers in Spain could receive under the new scheme

For passenger cars, the maximum support available under the new plan will reach €5,500.

That figure combines up to €4,500 in direct public aid plus a mandatory minimum dealership discount of €1,000 applied to the final purchase price.

The exact amount drivers receive will depend on several factors, including the type of vehicle purchased, its efficiency level and whether the model was manufactured in Europe.

The programme mainly focuses on electric and highly efficient vehicles meeting specific environmental standards. Motorcycles and smaller electric vehicles are also included.

Electric motorbikes may qualify for grants of up to €1,100, while electric quadricycles could receive up to €1,500.

Spanish authorities say the system is designed to prioritise vehicles carrying the CERO environmental label.

The programme will also apply retroactively to eligible vehicle purchases made from January 1, 2026, even before the full application platform becomes operational.

The biggest change is that buyers will no longer wait months for the money

One of the main criticisms of previous vehicle grant programmes in Spain was the waiting time. Under older systems like MOVES III, buyers often had to pay the full price upfront and then wait months before eventually receiving the subsidy.

That created frustration for many drivers and uncertainty for dealerships. With Plan Auto 2030, the government wants the aid applied immediately during the purchase process itself.

That means buyers should see the discount directly reflected in the dealership price instead of dealing with long reimbursement procedures afterwards. The government says centralising the management of the grants should help speed up the process and reduce bureaucracy.

For many buyers, that may end up being more important than the grant amount itself.

The previous waiting periods discouraged some people from switching to electric vehicles because the financial advantage often felt too distant or uncertain.

Now the intention is to make the savings visible immediately. Spain plans to dedicate €400 million to the programme in 2026 as part of its wider strategy to promote cleaner transport.

Who can apply for the new Spain car grants

The programme will be open both to private individuals and businesses. Private buyers will generally be limited to one subsidised vehicle, while companies may apply for support covering several vehicles.

Vehicles must meet certain energy efficiency conditions and remain below maximum price limits established under the scheme.

Authorities have also confirmed that eligible vehicles must carry the CERO emissions label. The official digital platform handling applications is still being finalised and is expected to become fully operational between May and June 2026.

Even so, the government says eligible purchases made from January onwards will still qualify retroactively.

The launch comes at a time when Spain is continuing to tighten environmental rules affecting drivers in many cities.

Low Emission Zones are already operating in dozens of urban areas and future restrictions are expected to become stricter for older petrol and diesel vehicles over the coming years. That growing pressure is pushing more drivers to at least consider electric or low emission alternatives, even if many still remain concerned about charging infrastructure, battery prices and the overall cost of switching. The government hopes the new instant discount model will make that transition feel more accessible.

For drivers planning to replace an ageing vehicle in the coming months, the new grants could significantly reduce the final purchase price. But much will likely depend on how smoothly the new system actually works once dealerships and buyers begin using it nationwide.

The leader of Spain’s conservative Popular Party (PP), Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has called for the resignation of Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska (Spain’s interior minister) following the deaths of two Guardia Civil officers during an operation against suspected drug traffickers off the coast of Huelva.

Speaking during a political event in Andalucía on Friday, Feijóo also pledged to declassify documents linked to the Spanish government’s migrant regularisation plans if the PP returns to power nationally.

The comments came during a day of mourning after two officers died when their patrol vessel was involved in a collision during a pursuit linked to narco-trafficking operations near the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, close to the province of Huelva in southern Spain.

Officers died during anti-drug trafficking operation

Two Guardia Civil officers died during an operation targeting a suspected narco-boat near Huelva province. Drug trafficking by high-powered speedboats, known in Spain as “narcolanchas”, has become a growing security issue along parts of the southern coast. The vessels are frequently used to transport hashish and other illegal substances between North Africa and Spain.

The incident has renewed political debate over the resources available to officers working in anti-trafficking operations. Feijóo accused the government led by Pedro Sánchez of failing to provide sufficient support and protection for security forces operating in high-risk coastal areas. During his speech, the PP leader said Grande-Marlaska should resign over what he described as failures in security policy and the management of anti-drug operations.

Spain’s Interior Ministry has not announced any intention for the minister to step down.

Feijóo promises to declassify migrant regularisation documents

Alongside his criticism over the deaths of the officers, Feijóo also focused heavily on immigration policy. The opposition leader promised that a future PP government would declassify information related to the current administration’s migrant regularisation plans. In Spain, “regularisation” refers to legal processes allowing undocumented migrants already living in the country to obtain legal residency or work status under certain conditions.

Migration policy has become an increasingly divisive issue in Spanish politics, particularly in regions facing increased migrant arrivals by sea or pressure on reception systems.

The Sánchez government has defended its migration policies as necessary for humanitarian reasons and labour market demands, while opposition parties have accused it of lacking transparency over long-term immigration planning. Feijóo said the public had a right to know the details surrounding the government’s discussions and decisions on the issue. The Spanish government has not publicly stated that any classified migrant regularisation programme exists, although migration agreements and administrative planning documents are commonly handled internally between ministries and European institutions.

Political pressure grows over security and migration

The remarks reflect continuing tensions between Spain’s government and opposition over immigration, organised crime and public security. The Popular Party has repeatedly criticised the government’s handling of organised drug trafficking in Andalucía, arguing that criminal groups have become increasingly violent and better equipped in recent years. Police unions and Guardia Civil associations have also raised concerns over staffing levels, equipment and working conditions in some coastal areas heavily affected by trafficking activity.

The government has defended its security policies and says it has increased resources dedicated to combating organised crime networks operating in southern Spain. The deaths of the officers have prompted tributes from political leaders across the country, with officials from multiple parties expressing condolences to the families, colleagues and members of the Guardia Civil.

The incident is expected to intensify political debate surrounding Spain’s immigration policies, anti-drug operations and coastal security measures in the months ahead.

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