V-16 Emergency Lights in Spain — What Expats Need to Know

If you still have a pair of red warning triangles in the boot of your car in Spain, it's time to replace them. Spain has moved on — and understanding the new V-16 rule is not just a matter of avoiding a fine. It's a meaningful road safety improvement that keeps you safer when things go wrong at the side of the road.

Here is everything expats in Spain need to know about the V-16 beacon: what it is, why Spain introduced it, what the regulations actually say, and what you need to do to be compliant right now.

What Is a V-16 Beacon?

A V-16 is a portable orange flashing light — a beacon — designed to be placed on top of your vehicle when you break down or are involved in an accident. It is a self-contained device, typically powered by a rechargeable battery, and it sits on the roof of your car using a magnetic base. The flashing orange light is visible from a significant distance in both daylight and darkness.

The key difference between a V-16 beacon and the traditional warning triangle it replaces is not just the light itself — it's the connectivity. From 2026, compliant V-16 beacons must be connected devices that automatically transmit your GPS location to the DGT's V-Alert emergency platform the moment they are activated. This means that when you switch the beacon on, the emergency services and the DGT instantly know exactly where you are, without you needing to make a phone call or provide a location.

Why Did Spain Replace Warning Triangles?

The reason is stark and simple: people were being killed placing warning triangles at the roadside.

Spanish road safety statistics consistently showed that a significant proportion of fatal road accidents involved a secondary collision at an already-stopped vehicle. When drivers broke down on motorways and dual carriageways, they would exit their vehicle and walk backwards along the carriageway — sometimes 50 or 100 metres — to place the required triangle. This left them exposed to oncoming traffic, often travelling at motorway speeds, in conditions where their visibility could be limited by night, rain, or glare.

The V-16 beacon fundamentally changes this dynamic. By placing the beacon on the vehicle roof — which can be done from inside the car, by opening the door just enough to reach the roof — the driver never needs to step onto the carriageway. The amber light signals danger to approaching drivers immediately, while the connected alert simultaneously notifies the DGT and emergency services of the exact location.

The DGT Regulation Timeline

The V-16 story unfolded in phases:

• 2021: The DGT introduced the V-16 as an optional alternative to warning triangles. Drivers could carry either.
• 2022–2025: Connected V-16 beacons — those linking to the DGT's V-Alert system — were introduced and progressively encouraged. Non-connected beacons were still widely available and used during this period.
• 2026: The connected V-16 beacon becomes the mandated safety device. Warning triangles are no longer the required equipment for breakdowns on Spanish roads. Connected beacons that transmit GPS data to V-Alert are the expected standard.

If you purchased a V-16 beacon in Spain before 2026, check whether it is a connected model. If it does not have GPS/V-Alert connectivity, it may not meet the current standard. Check the packaging or the manufacturer's specification against the DGT's approved device list.

What a Compliant V-16 Beacon Must Have

To meet the current Spanish requirement, a V-16 beacon must:

• Emit a flashing amber/orange light meeting the V-16 luminous intensity specification
• Have a magnetic base that allows it to be placed securely on a vehicle roof
• Be a connected device with GPS capability that transmits your location data to the DGT's V-Alert platform when activated
• Carry the DGT approval marking confirming it meets the technical specification
• Have a battery life sufficient for extended use (most compliant models provide several hours of continuous operation)

When buying a V-16 beacon, look for the words "conectado" or "con GPS" on the packaging, and check that the product description explicitly mentions V-Alert compatibility. Non-connected models that simply flash without transmitting location are not sufficient under the 2026 standard.

Who Needs to Carry One?

All vehicles driven on Spanish roads need to carry a compliant V-16 beacon — Spanish-registered and foreign-registered alike. If you are driving in Spain, whether in your own car, a hire car, or a vehicle borrowed from a friend, the V-16 requirement applies.

Car hire companies operating in Spain are required to equip their vehicles with V-16 beacons. If you hire a car in Spain, you should find a V-16 in the vehicle — check for it when you collect the car. If it is missing, notify the hire company before you leave their premises.

How to Use a V-16 Beacon Correctly

Fines for Non-Compliance

Driving without the required safety equipment in Spain — which now means a compliant V-16 beacon — is classified as a minor traffic infringement and can result in a fine of up to €200. However, the financial penalty of the fine is arguably less significant than the insurance and liability implications of not having proper signalling equipment in the event of an accident.

If you break down on a motorway, fail to activate a V-16, a second vehicle collides with yours, and it is established that the scene was not properly signalled, you may be found partially liable for that second collision. The legal and financial exposure from that scenario is far greater than the cost of the beacon.

Where to Buy a V-16 Beacon and What It Costs

Connected V-16 beacons are widely available across Spain:

• Petrol stations: Most major forecourts now stock V-16 beacons, particularly along motorways
• Large supermarkets and hypermarkets: Carrefour, Hipercor, and El Corte Inglés all stock DGT-approved models
• Motoring accessory shops: Norauto, Midas, and other chains carry a range of models
• Online retailers: Available via major Spanish online retailers — ensure the product listing specifies V-16 conectado and V-Alert compatible

Prices for compliant connected models range from around €25 to €80 depending on brand and specification. The cheaper end of the market is perfectly adequate for most drivers. What matters is that the device is DGT-approved and V-Alert connected — not the brand name or the price.

V-16 and Your Car Insurance Claim

The V-16 rule has a direct bearing on how a breakdown-related insurance claim is handled. Most comprehensive car insurance policies in Spain include roadside assistance (asistencia en viaje or asistencia en carretera). When you call your insurer's assistance line after a breakdown, the operator will often ask whether you have signalled the vehicle — by this, they now mean whether a V-16 has been activated.

If a second accident occurs at the scene of your breakdown and an investigation follows, the presence or absence of a properly activated V-16 — and the DGT's V-Alert records confirming the beacon was activated and a location transmitted — may be significant evidence. Insurers and legal representatives on both sides of a claim will examine the circumstances of the breakdown signalling carefully.

The practical upshot: buy a compliant connected V-16 beacon, keep it charged, and make sure you know how to activate it. It takes seconds, keeps you out of the road, and protects you legally as well as physically.

A Word for Visitors Driving Into Spain

If you are driving a UK or other foreign-registered vehicle into Spain — for a holiday, a move, or a longer stay — the V-16 requirement applies to you too while you are on Spanish roads. If you are stopping at a service station just over the French border, it is worth adding a V-16 beacon to your shopping list. They are available at most major motorway service areas in Spain. Do not rely on your warning triangles being sufficient — they are no longer what Spanish law requires.