Thinking of driving across Spain this summer? You may want to check the calendar before you set off. Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT, has revealed the weekends when roads are expected to be at their busiest, with more than 100 million journeys forecast over the summer holiday season. Those dates will bring heavy traffic, more police patrols, extra speed cameras and a greater risk of accidents, making them the least favourable times to travel by car.

The warning comes as Operation Summer 2026 gets under way this weekend, with millions of people heading to the coast, the mountains and family homes across the country. If your travel dates are flexible, avoiding the busiest periods could mean a much smoother journey.

The four weekends expected to cause the biggest traffic jams in Spain

Every summer follows a familiar pattern. Schools finish, workers begin their annual leave and, almost overnight, Spain’s road network fills with holiday traffic.

This year is expected to be even busier than usual. According to figures released by the government, more than 100 million road journeys are expected during July and August alone.

Not every weekend will be equally busy, however.

The DGT has identified four periods when traffic is expected to reach its highest levels because they coincide with the start or end of the main holiday changeovers.

The dates are:

July 3, 4 and 5 for the First Summer Operation.

July 31, August 1 and August 2 for the Second Summer Operation.

August 14, 15 and 16 for the Third Summer Operation, which coincides with the Assumption holiday.

August 28, 29 and 31 for the Return Operation, when many holidaymakers travel home before the start of September.

If you are planning to drive on any of those weekends, expect queues on the main motorways leading to coastal areas, heavier traffic around tourist hotspots and longer journey times throughout much of the country.

For many families, those dates are unavoidable because they coincide with booked accommodation or annual leave. Even so, the DGT says knowing what to expect allows drivers to prepare properly and avoid unnecessary risks.

Why there will be more police, speed cameras and restrictions on Spain’s roads

The increased traffic is also the reason why drivers will notice a much stronger police presence over the coming weeks.

The Guardia Civil’s Traffic Division will deploy more officers across Spain, while the DGT will increase the number of mobile speed cameras and aerial surveillance to monitor traffic from above.

Several temporary traffic measures will also be introduced to help keep vehicles moving.

Where possible, additional lanes will be opened on busy routes. Roadworks on major roads will be suspended during the busiest periods and heavy goods vehicles will face restrictions on certain stretches of road where congestion is expected.

There is another important difference this year.

Instead of focusing only on the main departure weekends, the DGT has decided to extend these measures to almost every summer weekend.

The special traffic operation will also cover June 26 to 28, July 10 to 12, July 17 to 19, July 24 to 26, August 7 to 9, August 21 to 23 and September 4 to 6.

On those weekends, the enhanced measures will normally run from 1pm on Friday until midnight on Sunday, when traffic volumes tend to be at their highest.

The DGT says the strategy is based on previous experience. During Operation Summer 2025, fatal road deaths fell by six per cent compared with the previous year. Even so, there were still 228 fatal crashes, including 173 on conventional roads, which continue to account for the vast majority of deadly accidents.

The simple advice that could save you hours in traffic

One of the most practical recommendations from the DGT has nothing to do with speed or road rules. It is simply about choosing when to leave.

Based on its historical data, the authority advises motorists to avoid setting off between 1pm on Friday and midnight on Sunday, as this is both the busiest period for traffic and the time when the highest number of fatal accidents has traditionally been recorded.

If possible, travelling early in the morning or later in the evening is likely to mean quieter roads and shorter journey times.

The DGT also encourages drivers to spend a few minutes planning before they leave home. Checking traffic updates through the DGT 3.0 app or the authority’s interactive traffic map can help identify delays, accidents or roadworks before setting off.

Long journeys should include a break at least every two hours, particularly during hot weather, when tiredness can arrive sooner than many people expect. Families travelling with children are also encouraged to plan regular stops rather than trying to complete long distances in one go.

Before leaving, drivers should also carry out a basic inspection of their vehicle. Tyres should be checked for pressure and wear, fluid levels topped up where necessary and brakes, lights, battery and engine inspected to make sure everything is working properly.

Finally, motorists should make sure they have the legally required documentation with them, together with the mandatory emergency equipment, including the V16 emergency beacon.

With millions of vehicles expected to share Spain’s roads over the coming weeks, a little preparation before turning the key could make the journey considerably easier and, more importantly, much safer.

Forced liquidation has hit the market for mandatory V16 emergency beacons hard. Prices that initially reached nearly €50 a piece now have dropped to €8 for some models. Distributors and importers hold excess stock that continues to lose value each week it still sits on the shelves.

Why prices collapsed so sharply

Sales dropped dramatically once the initial Christmas rush ended and the urgency to get one for the car before the law mandated it on January 1. Many drivers still found the rules vague and badly communicated even months after the obligation took effect with the change of new year. Political parties in Spain’s Congress, including Vox and PP, have been pushing proposals to remove the compulsory requirement entirely. But now, rumours are rife that the DGT plans a major summer campaign with increased roadside checks to verify that vehicles are carrying connected and approved models.

The combination of weak ongoing demand, political pressure drawing doubt on the future of legislation, and the prospect of stricter enforcement this summer, has left warehouses full and forced sellers to cut prices aggressively to clear inventory before batteries degrade or devices become obsolete.

Where to find the cheapest valid options

Shoppers should focus on models that meet both DGT requirements: current approval and active connectivity guaranteed for 12 years. Very low prices do not always mean compliance.

• Don Feliz units with homologation code PC25020096 appear on Amazon and AliExpress for less than €8 and remain fully legal when connected.
• Other connected models on the same platforms often sell between €8 and €15 during current promotions.
• Supermarket chains such as Carrefour and Lidl occasionally stock approved stock at similar low prices in physical stores.
• Always confirm the device lists an active SIM or eSIM link to the DGT 3.0 platform before purchase. Non-connected units, even if once officially approved, but now not, will not protect drivers from fines.

Confusion over correct use of the V16 beacon

The utter bewilderment on the use of the V-16 has been spotted over the last 6 months. Many drivers in recent months have been seen placing beacons on vehicles that sit safely parked in towns. The device exists only for specific roadside situations.

• Activate it solely when a vehicle becomes immobilised on the roadway itself due to breakdown or collision.
• Position the beacon on the roof or highest visible point so approaching traffic sees the 360-degree flashing orange light from distance.
• Allow the built-in connectivity to transmit location data automatically to the DGT once switched on.
• Keep the unit in the glovebox at all times so it stays ready without the driver needing to exit the car in dangerous conditions.
• Do not use it for vehicles parked normally off the road or in designated parking areas where no obstruction exists. You will only run the batteries down when it is not always necessary.

Action to take for drivers this summer

More than 16 million vehicles in Spain still lack any V16 unit. Current rock-bottom prices combined with the legal obligation create a narrow window to buy before possible intensified summer enforcement. Drivers should verify both homologation and connectivity on any bargain model and familiarise themselves with activation now, well before holiday travel begins. Foreign-registered vehicles are still exempt, yet many owners choose to carry an approved unit for added safety on Spanish roads.