On 1 October 2026, Royal Decree 518/2026 comes into force in Spain. The reform amends the General Traffic Regulations in favour of so-called vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and users of e-scooters. For motorcyclists, the new decree mainly brings changes to gloves, shoes, helmets and how to deal with motorway traffic jams.
Key facts
- Effective date: 1 October 2026, with some transition periods for mopeds and technical details.
- Who is affected: riders and pillions of motorcycles, partly also of mopeds (ciclomotores).
- New: gloves outside built-up areas, closed shoes everywhere, homologated UNECE R22 helmets, a narrower hi-vis vest rule and a new hard shoulder rule for traffic jams.
Gloves outside built-up areas, closed shoes everywhere
Article 118 of the regulations requires riders and pillions of motorcycles and mopeds to wear protective gloves on interurban roads. The requirement does not apply in built-up areas. The Spanish Interior Ministry is still to define the exact technical standard for the gloves by ministerial order, but the basic requirement applies from the effective date regardless.
Closed shoes that cover the whole foot, on the other hand, are mandatory on all types of road, including in town and on short trips. Sandals or open shoes are therefore off-limits for riders and pillions.
According to the DGT, missing gloves or closed shoes count as a serious offence and cost €200. If you pay within 20 days, the amount is halved to €100.
UNECE R22 helmets
From the effective date, motorcycles require a homologated helmet to the UNECE R22 standard. A motorcycle helmet sold and labelled regularly in the EU usually already meets this standard, but you should still check the approval label on the helmet itself.
Mopeds (ciclomotores) get a one-year transition period: until 1 October 2027, certified instead of homologated helmets are still acceptable, after that the same rule applies as for motorcycles.
Hi-vis vest: only for professional riders
Many reports on the reform talk about a general hi-vis vest requirement for motorcyclists. The legal text is narrower. Under Article 118.4, carrying or wearing a reflective vest at all times is only mandatory for people riding for work, such as couriers and delivery riders.
For private riders the existing rule remains: you have to put on the vest when you leave your vehicle on a motorway or expressway, for example after a breakdown or accident. There is no general requirement to have the vest to hand at all times on private tours, but it is still sensible.
New hard shoulder rule for traffic jams
Article 36.3 allows motorcycles to use the right-hand hard shoulder in traffic jams when the lanes of the road are at a standstill. Several conditions apply at the same time:
- The section must have been approved and signposted by the authorities beforehand.
- Speed on the hard shoulder must not exceed 30 km/h.
- Motorcycles must ride in single file, not side by side.
- Riders must not endanger other, more vulnerable users of the hard shoulder.
What the signs will look like is still open. As long as a section has no signs, the hard shoulder remains off-limits.
Transition periods at a glance
| Rule | Applies from |
|---|---|
| Gloves, shoes, helmet, hard shoulder for motorcycles | 1 October 2026 |
| Homologated instead of certified helmet for mopeds | 1 October 2027 |
| Technical standard for gloves (ministerial order) | still open |
What it means for your Spain tour
If you travel to Spain by motorcycle from October 2026, a quick gear check before you leave is worthwhile:
- Your helmet has a valid UNECE R22 label.
- Closed shoes planned for every ride, including short trips in town.
- Protective gloves packed for riding outside towns.
- A hi-vis vest on board in case you break down or have an accident.
- Check the current signs for hard shoulder approvals on your planned route before you ride.
The other traffic rules in Spain, such as speed limits and alcohol limits, are covered in a separate guide. Tolls, speed cameras and the right gear for the trip are in our article on touring Spain by motorcycle.
Summary
From October 2026, Spain is making its rules for motorcyclists more consistent rather than stricter. Gloves outside towns, closed shoes everywhere and a homologated helmet were sensible before, now they are enforced. The hi-vis vest requirement, on the other hand, only affects professional riders, private tours are not directly affected.
Frequently asked questions
Do the glove rules in Spain also apply in town?
No. Gloves are only mandatory outside built-up areas, on interurban roads. Closed shoes, on the other hand, are mandatory on all roads, including in town.
Do I have to wear a hi-vis vest as a tourist in Spain?
Not in general. The requirement to wear or carry one at all times only applies to professional riders. Private riders still only have to put the vest on when they break down on a motorway.
Is my EU motorcycle helmet good enough for Spain?
Usually yes, as long as it has a valid UNECE R22 label. That is standard for motorcycle helmets sold regularly in the EU.
Can I now use the hard shoulder in any traffic jam in Spain?
No. It is only allowed on explicitly approved and signposted sections, at no more than 30 km/h and in single file.
Do mopeds have the same helmet rule as motorcycles?
Not immediately. Ciclomotores may use certified instead of homologated helmets until 1 October 2027, after that the same rule applies as for motorcycles.
Sources
- Royal Decree 518/2026 (Official State Gazette BOE, Spanish)
- Reform for the safety of vulnerable road users (DGT, Spanish)
- Gloves, closed shoes and hard shoulder at 30 km/h (Motor y Racing, Spanish)
- Mandatory gloves and €200 fine (Nosolomotor, Spanish)
- What changes for motorcyclists (t-online, German)
Last checked: September 2026. Rules and fines can change.