Why are there pink number plates on Spanish roads?

From 2026, drivers on Spanish roads will see a new and vibrant change: bright pink plates. Spain’s traffic authority General Directorate of Traffic or DGT has announced that these plates will be recognized in traffic monitoring frameworks to identify so-called temporary vehicles.

What are the pink-plated cars and why do they appear on Spanish roads today?

The new number plates that are appearing on Spanish roads feature a pink background with a clear expiration date. They aim to identify vehicles as temporary, that is, those that haven’t yet finished their final registration.

The system was introduced in other European countries. Most notably, in France, in the first quarter 2026. For years, the French authorities had difficulty identifying temporary plates that should last only four to six months. As a result of this, in 2023 nearly 460,000 cars were on the road with expired temporary license plates.

Several countries have introduced temporary vehicle identification plates in an effort to standardise and streamline traffic enforcement across borders.

What cars will be affected?

This pink plate will be given to vehicles which have not completed their final registration. These reasons include:

• A new car owner is awaiting paperwork
• The vehicle is destined for export and is temporarily operating in the country
• The vehicle is imported from another country, but is still adjusting to the registration rules of that country.
• The vehicle is being used to test (either for technical or promotional purposes)
• The vehicle remains at the dealer
• The registration process was delayed
• Any other scenario that could lead to an unregistered vehicle on the road

How long is a pink plate allowed on a vehicle?

The duration of this period is flexible and can be anywhere between a few days to six-months.

Will cars that are not registered in Spain be required to use pink plates?

For the time being, traffic officials will continue to use pink plates as a way to identify foreign vehicles which are not yet registered. Spain’s own colour plates are available for temporary Spanish vehicles: green plates. This is often the case with newly imported cars which are still in the registration phase. Spain has its own colour plate for vehicles used by dealers or traders for promotional material and test drives: red plates.

What changes will there be for Spanish drivers?

Spain does not plan to adopt this model on its behalf, even though the DGT has recognized these new vibrant plates. Instead, the country’s control systems will be adapted to recognise this new format of identification. The country will not issue pink plates to temporary plate holders in Spain.

Due to the free movement of vehicles within the European Union, drivers could encounter foreign vehicles with pink plates on Spanish roads.

The system will allow the DGT to identify and control foreign cars more easily and quickly during their stay. It will also be able detect expired vehicles instantly. Traffic officers are going to be trained on how to verify and document these pink-plated vehicles. They will also be able identify potentially fraudulent cars more easily on Spanish roads.