Understanding Urban Speed Limits (SL) in Spain

On November 10, 2020, Spain approved a new driving law, officially published in the BOE on November 11, 2020.
The law introduced several changes to driving regulations, which were implemented progressively throughout 2021. The only aspect that required updates in the HERE database was the reduction of the urban generic speed limit (SL).

The new SL values came into effect on May 11, 2021, as follows:

Urban generic SL drops from 50 km/h to 30 km/h in these cases:
+ Urban streets with one lane per direction of travel (DOT). Bus/taxi lanes do not count as lane.
+ If one direction has a single lane and the opposite direction has multiple lanes, the SL must drop to 30 km/h in the direction with only one lane.
Generic SL is set to 20 km/h on urban streets where the sidewalk and the vehicle platform are at the same level (known as single-platform streets).
Generic SL is set to 80 km/h on highways within urban areas. Local authorities and highway owners may agree on a higher limit on a case-by-case basis. If a higher SL is approved, a speed limit sign must be installed on the roads to inform drivers.
HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) SL is set to 40 km/h on urban streets, even if the SL for other vehicles remains at 50 km/h. If the street SL is 30 or 20 km/h due to the above conditions, that lower limit also applies to HAZMAT vehicles.
Through or transversal roads crossing built-up areas (BUAs) retain the previous SL of 50 km/h, regardless of the number of lanes.
Local authorities may exempt certain streets with only one lane per DOT from the reduction (keeping 50 km/h). In such cases, a 50 km/h sign must be posted.

The official document released by the government and the traffic department provides detailed explanations and visual examples of where and how SL reductions apply. Although it is in Spanish, starting on page 9 there are self-explanatory images. Helpful terms:

Antes = Before
Después = After

Additional notes:

The Technical Notification Memorandum (TNM) was published in January 2021.
Starting mid-2021, various HERE departments have been in contact with local authorities in Spain to maintain and improve SL data accuracy.

Summary table for your convenience 😊

| | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | | | |
| | Street characteristics | Old SL | New SL | Remarks |
| Speed limits in urban areas (within BUAs) | Single platform streets (no height distinction between sidewalk and carriageway) | NA | 20 | |
| Regular urban streets with only one lane per DOT so Lane Category =1 (LC) Bus and taxi lanes must be ignored for number of lanes counting. | 50 | 30 | According to the new law, the local authorities can skip the drop to 30 for some LC 1 streets. In that case SL 50 signs must be placed. |
| Highways in or crossing urban areas (HERE BUAs) | NA | 80 | This speed could be higher if local authorities and highway owners agree on that, and SL signs are placed. |
| Streets that match HERE LC>1 | 50 | 50 or 30 | If number of lanes is >1 on both DOT, SL=50 If number of lanes is 1 for one of the DOT, SL=30 will apply to that DOT For HAZMAT trucks SL=40 (if 50 for rest of users) or SL=30 in the case of driving in the DOT that is 30. |