Spain's Speed Cameras: Legal Margins That Can Save You a Fine 2026

Spain's mobile speed cameras cannot fine you if you are driving within a specific margin over the limit, as confirmed by the Supreme Court and the DGT. This legal margin, often called the "7% rule," is a technical guarantee that speed measurements are reliable. Understanding it can help you avoid unnecessary fines and know your rights on the road.

What Is the Legal Margin for Speed Cameras in Spain?

Every measuring instrument has an error margin, and speed cameras are no exception. Before a radar can be used, it must pass a state metrological control that sets its maximum permitted error (EMP). This margin is regulated by Order ICT/155/2020, which replaced the old Order ITC/3123/2010 and was later updated by Order ITU/1475/2024, effective since January 2025.

When you receive a speeding ticket, the speed you are fined for is always lower than the speed recorded by the radar. This is because a percentage is subtracted from the radar's reading to account for the error margin. The exact percentage depends on the type of radar and whether it is fixed or mobile.

How the 7% Rule Works in Practice

The "7% rule" is well known, especially among drivers who like to push the limit. For mobile radars, the margin is typically 7% of the recorded speed, while for fixed radars it is 5%. For speeds below 100 km/h, the margin is 7 km/h for mobile radars and 5 km/h for fixed ones.

This means that if a mobile radar records you at 120 km/h in a 100 km/h zone, the margin is 7% of 120, which is 8.4 km/h. So the speed used for the fine would be 111.6 km/h, still over the limit. But if you were driving at 107 km/h, the margin would bring it down to 99.5 km/h, and you would not be fined.

Types of Radars and Their Margins

Not all radars have the same margin. The error margin can vary depending on whether the radar is fixed or mobile, and whether it uses radar or laser technology. The table below summarizes the typical margins applied in Spain.

These margins are applied to the speed recorded by the radar, not to the speed limit. So the faster you are going, the larger the absolute margin in km/h. This is why the 7% rule can be more forgiving at higher speeds.

Why the Supreme Court and DGT Confirmed This Rule

The Supreme Court and the DGT have confirmed that these margins are mandatory. In several rulings, the Supreme Court has stated that fines based on radar readings without applying the error margin are invalid. The DGT has also issued instructions to traffic officers to apply these margins consistently. The longer history behind the story is traced in Castellon Airport Sheds Ghost Label With Record Passenger Numbers. More on the surrounding debate is collected in Catalonia AI Cameras Identify Thousands of Drivers Using Phones.

This is not a loophole but a legal requirement to ensure that fines are based on accurate measurements. Without the margin, a driver could be fined for speeding when the radar's error could have placed them within the limit. The margin protects drivers from unfair penalties. The background to this story is set out in DGT Continuous Line Cameras: 200 Euro Fines That Can't Be Proven. A related thread runs through DGT Chief Pere Navarro: Speeding Fines Target 'Idiots' Not Revenue. Earlier coverage in Why Average Speed Cameras Beat Traditional Radar, Explained shows how the argument developed.

What This Means for Drivers

Knowing the margins can help you avoid fines, but it is not a license to speed. The margins are small and only apply to the recorded speed, not to your actual speed. If you are significantly over the limit, you will still be fined. A closer look at the same subject appears in 20mph Speed Limits: The Future of Urban Driving. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Are cameras with audio legal at work?. The same theme surfaces in Is it legal to put cameras in the storage room? Regulations and options, which takes a different angle.

It is also important to note that the margin does not apply to all types of infractions. For example, if you are caught by a radar that measures average speed over a section, the margin may be applied differently. Always check the specific regulations for each type of radar. Context on how this played out before sits in Flock Safety Surveillance Cameras: New Police Abuse Controls. A companion piece, Doctors, Not Cameras, Save Babies in Intensive Care, approaches the same subject from another angle.

Key Takeaways

• Speed cameras in Spain must apply a legal error margin to their readings.
• Mobile radars typically have a 7% margin, while fixed radars have 5%.
• The margin is applied to the recorded speed, not the speed limit.
• The Supreme Court and DGT have confirmed that fines without the margin are invalid.
• Knowing the margins can help you avoid unfair fines, but they are not a license to speed.