Driving a foreign-registered car in Spain: do you need a V16 beacon?

Since 1 January 2026, connected V16 beacons have replaced warning triangles for vehicles covered by Spanish regulations. But there is an important exception for international drivers: the rules can be different if your vehicle is registered outside Spain.

That matters if, for example, you drive to Spain in a car registered in the UK, France or Germany, spend part of the year here with a vehicle registered abroad, or regularly travel between Spain and another European country.

So, does a foreign-registered car need to carry a V16 beacon in Spain? And what happens if your car is registered in Spain but you drive it abroad?

Here’s how the rules work.

Does a foreign-registered car need a V16 beacon in Spain?

Not necessarily.

According to Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), vehicles registered in another country and travelling in Spain under international circulation rules can use warning triangles or equivalent warning equipment required by their country of registration.

In other words, the fact that you are driving on a Spanish road does not automatically mean that a foreign-registered vehicle has to carry a Spanish connected V16.

The distinction comes from international road traffic agreements, including the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. These agreements allow vehicles travelling internationally to comply with certain equipment requirements according to the rules of the country in which the vehicle is registered.

For a full explanation of how the beacon itself works, which vehicles are covered by the Spanish rules and how to check whether a model is certified, see our guide to V16 emergency beacons in Spain.

What does “international circulation” mean?

The V16 exception is based on the concept of a vehicle being in international circulation. In simple terms, it applies to vehicles registered in one country while temporarily travelling in another under the relevant international road traffic agreements.

That is quite different from assuming that any car with foreign number plates can remain in Spain indefinitely under the rules of its country of registration.

If you have moved to Spain permanently or become resident here while continuing to drive a foreign-registered vehicle, separate Spanish rules on registration, taxation and vehicle use may apply.

So the V16 rule should not be taken as confirmation that a foreign-plated car is otherwise correctly registered for use in Spain.

If that is your situation, our guide to registering a foreign-plated car in Spain explains the issue in more detail.

What if my car is registered in Spain?

If your vehicle is registered in Spain and falls within the categories covered by the Spanish rules, the position is much simpler.

Since 1 January 2026, a certified connected V16 has been the required warning device for an immobilised vehicle. Warning triangles and older non-connected V16 lights are no longer a substitute.

You can find more information on approved models, DGT 3.0 connectivity and how to use the device in our complete V16 guide.

Can I use my Spanish V16 when driving abroad?

Yes, in countries covered by the relevant international road traffic agreements.

The DGT states that a vehicle registered in Spain and travelling internationally can use its connected V16 abroad in countries covered by those agreements.

This means a Spanish-registered vehicle does not need to carry warning triangles simply because it is travelling outside Spain, provided the relevant international rules apply.

That is more specific than some of the advice given before the V16 became compulsory, when drivers were often told simply to carry both a V16 and warning triangles for cross-border journeys.

If you are planning a longer European road trip, however, it is still sensible to check the wider equipment and driving requirements for each country you will visit. Rules on items such as reflective jackets, winter equipment, documentation and low-emission zones can vary.

Can I use warning triangles in Spain with a foreign-registered car?

If your vehicle is registered abroad and is travelling in Spain under international circulation rules, yes.

The DGT confirms that these vehicles can use warning triangles or another equivalent warning device provided for under the rules of their country of registration.

This does not mean that warning triangles have remained an alternative for Spanish-registered vehicles. They have not.

For a Spanish-registered vehicle covered by the V16 requirement, the connected V16 is now the recognised warning device.

The easiest way to think about it is:

• Spanish-registered vehicle in Spain: connected V16.
• Foreign-registered vehicle in Spain under international circulation rules: warning triangles or the equivalent equipment required by the country of registration may still be used.
• Spanish-registered vehicle travelling internationally: the connected V16 may be used in countries covered by the relevant international agreements.

What if I live in Spain or have a second home here but drive a foreign-registered car?

This is where the distinction between V16 rules and vehicle registration becomes important. 

If your main residence and vehicle registration remain in another country and you drive that vehicle to Spain temporarily, it may fall within the international circulation rules described above. However, if you have moved to Spain permanently, become resident here or spend extended periods in the country, separate registration and tax requirements may apply. 

So there are really two separate questions:

• Do I need a V16? That depends partly on where the vehicle is registered and whether it is travelling under international circulation rules.
• Can I legally continue driving my foreign-registered car in Spain? That is a separate registration issue.

Our guide to registering a foreign-plated car in Spain looks at that second question in more detail.

Do I need to carry both a V16 and warning triangles?

There is no single answer that applies to every international driver.

For a Spanish-registered vehicle covered by the V16 rules, the DGT says there is no need to carry warning triangles simply because you are driving abroad in a country covered by the relevant international agreements.

For a foreign-registered vehicle travelling in Spain under international circulation rules, the warning equipment required by its country of registration may remain valid.

The important point is not the driver’s nationality. It is the vehicle’s registration and the circumstances in which it is being driven.

That is why advice such as “all drivers in Spain need a V16” or “just carry both to be safe” can be misleading.

What should I do after a breakdown or accident in Spain?

Whatever warning equipment applies to your vehicle, your first priority is to avoid putting yourself or anyone else at unnecessary risk.

If your vehicle becomes immobilised, move it away from the traffic lane if you can do so safely and use the warning equipment that applies to your vehicle. A connected V16 does not automatically call the emergency services, so call 112 if anyone is injured or urgent help is needed.

If you have been involved in a collision, our guide to what to do if you have a car accident in Spain covers the main steps, from making the scene safe to exchanging details and dealing with your insurer.

Frequently asked questions about foreign-registered cars and V16 beacons

Does a UK-registered car need a V16 beacon in Spain?

A vehicle registered outside Spain and travelling here under international circulation rules can use the warning equipment required by its country of registration. The V16 requirement therefore does not apply simply because the vehicle is being driven on Spanish roads.

Do rental cars in Spain need a V16?

A hire car registered in Spain falls under the Spanish rules. If you hire a car here, it is worth checking where the beacon is stored when you collect the vehicle.

Can I use my Spanish V16 in France, Portugal or another European country?

The DGT says Spanish-registered vehicles may use their connected V16 in other countries covered by the relevant international road traffic agreements. It is still sensible to check any other local equipment requirements before travelling.

What happens if I re-register my foreign car in Spain?

Once the vehicle is registered in Spain, it becomes subject to the rules for Spanish-registered vehicles, including the connected V16 requirement where the vehicle falls within the categories covered.

Driving in Spain: know which rules apply to your car

For international drivers, Spanish road rules can sometimes look simpler than they really are. The V16 is a good example: the general rule is straightforward, but where the vehicle is registered can make an important difference.

If you live in Spain, spend part of the year here or regularly drive across borders, it is worth knowing which rules apply to your particular vehicle rather than assuming that advice written for a Spanish-registered car also applies to yours.

Our guide to car insurance in Spain for expats covers other practical points international drivers should know, including insurance requirements, accidents, ITV inspections and driving a foreign-registered vehicle.

Generali Expatriates offers car insurance with different levels of cover and access to a network of more than 200 brokers and agents who can help you in your language.

To choose the cover that suits you, find your nearest broker or agent or request a quote, and one of our experts will be in touch.