Spain Mandates V-16 Emergency Beacon by 2026, Replacing Triangles

Spanish police are stepping up checks on roads across the country, including Tenerife. These checks focus on different parts of vehicles depending on the time of year, all to make roads safer and find any illegal or dangerous items.

Traffic officers are also reminding drivers about new rules coming into effect in 2026.

From next year, you'll face a €200 fine if you don't have the V-16 emergency beacon. The traffic authority, the DGT, advises keeping it somewhere easy to reach in an emergency, like the glove box or a door pocket.

Emergency triangles are being replaced by this new light signal. However, this rule only applies in Spain. Vehicles from other countries will still be allowed to use triangles.

While European rules aim for consistency, the V-16 beacon is a Spanish requirement, meaning foreign vehicles won't need it.

There have been many questions about privacy and the new beacon. The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) has confirmed that the device does not collect personal data. It's not linked to any individual or vehicle registration, and you don't need to provide personal details to buy one. The DGT doesn't know who owns them.

The beacon has a built-in eSIM card with mobile data that lasts about 10 to 15 years. It doesn't send any information unless it's activated during an emergency. When activated, the data sent won't identify the driver or track their movements.

To be legal, the V-16 beacon must meet certain standards.

They typically cost between €40 and €50. It's a good idea to buy one soon, as prices might go up closer to the deadline.