For those travelling to Spain in 2026….

[Cyber]

The latest DGT safety measure for motorcycles looks almost certain for 2026, the mandatory use of airbags on Autovias and Autopistas

Airbag Vests Mandatory for Bikers 2026

Spain will require airbag vests for high-powered motorcycle riders on interurban roads from January 2026, following the lead of Italy and France.

euroweeklynews.com

It’s already included as a requirement on the test here for A class…

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The latest DGT safety measure for motorcycles looks almost certain for 2026, the mandatory use of airbags on Autovias and Autopistas

Airbag Vests Mandatory for Bikers 2026

Spain will require airbag vests for high-powered motorcycle riders on interurban roads from January 2026, following the lead of Italy and France.

euroweeklynews.com

It’s already included as a requirement on the test here for A class…

Good news
I have a vest

 

[er-minio]

It’s a move that puts Spain right up there with France and Italy in the biker safety race.

Eh?
Where is Italy racing to safety-wise for bikes?

Euroweekly news is the only site talking about airbags becoming compulsory on larger bikes.
Not a link to any statement.

Dubious.

 

[MrC99]

Pretty sure it's crap. The only reference I could find (apart from evidence from 2021 that DGT considered it and then dropped it) is this which states that airbag vests will be needed during on-road practical training. Relevant content:-

 

[Davey B]

I suspect its bollox, saw it 2 days ago....identical article but written by a feller....

Spain will require Motorcyclists to wear Airbag Vests on Open Roads by 2026 - Costa News Spain

Spain's decision to make airbag vests for motorcycle riders with high power mandatory from 2026 is a

costaspainnews.es

(David Sackler, a seasoned news editor with over 20 years of experience, currently based in Spain, is known for his editorial expertise, commitment to journalistic integrity, and advocating for press freedom.)

Not a woman

(Farah Mokrani is a journalist and content writer with over a decade of experience in digital and print media. Originally from Tunisia and now based in Spain, she has covered current affairs, investigative reports, and in-depth features for international outlets. At Euro Weekly News, Farah contributes news and analysis with a global perspective, drawing on her editorial background and passion for informed storytelling.)

And whoever wrote it, needs a bit of a lesson in counting...It is July...the law allegedly come in in January (5 mths away)
Don’t panic about price tags just yet. There’s still over a year to get sorted, and the DGT has said 2025 will be all about information campaigns

 

[wessie]

I just asked a Catalan friend. He confirmed it is current for those learning and taking tests. He states it will apply to newbies from 1 Jan 2026. I have asked him to clarify what he means by newbie and if it will apply to foreigners.

 

[DJ123]

I assume that'll be for Spanish Bikes/Riders only - not tourists. The same as France where Helmets & Gloves need to have certain mandatory stickers/test certifications, for French residents/motorcyclists - not Tourists.

 

[wessie]

I assume that'll be for Spanish Bikes/Riders only - not tourists. The same as France where Helmets & Gloves need to have certain mandatory stickers/test certifications, for French residents/motorcyclists - not Tourists.

my Catalan friend, has stated this will only apply to Spanish licence holders who passed under the new arrangements, presumably they will enforce it via an insurance requirement

moaners can stand down

 

[theoneandonly]

The same as France where Helmets & Gloves need to have certain mandatory stickers/test certifications, for French residents/motorcyclists - not Tourists.

wrong ,
when i was having a "chat" with a Gendarmerie a few weeks ago , he saw me put my lightweight gloves away , and said , you need those ...i pointed out the other black gloves sitting on the bag behind me .

 

[Wapping]

wrong ,
when i was having a "chat" with a Gendarmerie a few weeks ago , he saw me put my lightweight gloves away , and said , you need those ...i pointed out the other black gloves sitting on the bag behind me .

That could just as easily have been a recommendation that you use leather gloves, rather than your favoured, Marigolds.

 

[DJ123]

wrong ,
when i was having a "chat" with a Gendarmerie a few weeks ago , he saw me put my lightweight gloves away , and said , you need those ...i pointed out the other black gloves sitting on the bag behind me .

It's the law to wear Gloves, but for tourists they don't have to be compliant with the French certification. Perhaps that's why he was gesturing you'll need the Gloves?

 

[Wapping]

my Catalan friend, has stated this will only apply to Spanish licence holders who passed under the new arrangements, presumably they will enforce it via an insurance requirement

moaners can stand down

I am outraged on behalf of newly qualified Spanish bikermates. You mark my words, this is the very thing edge of a vey thick wedge of tortilla.

 

[Wapping]

presumably they will enforce it via an insurance requirement

They don’t / won’t need to enforce it via insurance. The wearing of a helmet is not stipulated in a Motor policy here in the UK; yet it is the very clear law that one must be worn, unless you are a Sikh. The only place I can think the stipulation appears, is under a Travel policy, along with the requirement to wear ‘appropriate’ clothing, by which I can (not unreasonably) assume they mean, no shorts and flip-flops. That though is not necessarily to comply with local laws, it is simply to reduce the chances of a local doctor having to scrub gravel out of a bod’s skinned arse, using a bog brush, at not inconsiderable cost, though little skill.

 

[Simon_100]

my Catalan friend, has stated this will only apply to Spanish licence holders who passed under the new arrangements, presumably they will enforce it via an insurance requirement

moaners can stand down

Thanks Wessie. Like the others I've found nothing in the Spanish press about this other than the news for new riders and was about to check it out with friends here.

Having said that I was pulled over at a checkpoint the other day alongside with several other bikers who were taking far longer than me to have their credentials checked and now I'm wondering of they were getting a pep talk from the Mossos d'Esquadra- no Guardia Civil traffic cops here in Catalonia - that I didn't as a) I was on my 200 cc Alp and the new regs, if they existed, only applied to larger bikes over 500cc's and b) as I'd probably had my full licence for longer that all five cops together might have had something to do with it - the lady cop certainly gave me the sweetest smile as she waved me away back onto the road

 

[G&T]

I love the way Spanish riders stick their two fingers up to anything that may save their skin and bones by only wearing a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops.

 

[Wapping]

I love the way Spanish riders stick their two fingers up to anything that may save their skin and bones by only wearing a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops.

Freedom of choice by word and deed. Much applauded on these pages….. unless of course someone doesn’t like it, when it becomes outrageous and something must be done about it NOW!

 

[wessie]

FEMA posted this

https://www.facebook.com/femaonline/posts/pfbid02UebDspT8hSbfsFjMdR6qHoqcFrNP6kRRxwaF6XxbLMVmaiQYw1dP3s6tY9jiEhUwl

Airbags for motorcyclists are not mandatory in Spain.
In recent weeks, several media outlets have reported that Spain’s DGT (traffic authority) plans to make motorcycle airbags mandatory by 2026 and that similar measures are already in place in countries like France and Italy. This is NOT true.
Our Spanish member organisation, ANM - Asociación Nacional de Motoristas, has confirmed there is no such obligation, not in Spain, nor in any other EU country, including France and Italy.
The facts: back in 2021, a draft of Spain’s revised road safety regulations did include a proposal to make airbag vests or jackets mandatory for motorcyclists. ANM and PMSV, representing over 600,000 riders, strongly opposed this. Their position: while airbags are a valuable safety innovation, they should be encouraged, not enforced.
In Spain currently only 3,500 units per year are sold, while there are over 6 million riders. Forcing a rule like this would cause supply shortages and price hikes, further limiting access. The DGT ultimately withdrew the proposal and agreed not to revisit it until the gear becomes affordable and widely used.
In July 2024, ANM submitted comments to the newest draft of the road code (to be approved by early 2026). They’ve reviewed the entire draft and confirm: there is no clause making airbags mandatory for individual motorcyclists. In Spain airbags are currently only mandatory for training at driving schools. ANM contacted DGT leadership directly. Their response? The rumor is “totally fake.”
FEMA supports efforts by ANM and PMSV to make airbags more affordable, including their campaign to eliminate VAT on certified airbag vests. The DGT supports this idea, but the final decision lies with the Ministry of Finance.
FEMA’s stance is clear: we believe airbags are important safety innovations, as long as they’re certified and high quality (watch out for cheap, unverified imports), but we do not support making airbags mandatory. Rider safety should be promoted through education and accessibility, not imposed by law.

 

[Wapping]

But I read it on the internet, so it must be true!

Or maybe my mate said that he read it on the internet. That makes it truer, as he knows stuff.

 

[J biker]

You need helmet stickers in France (hi viz)
They come in the box with a new helmet.
I will let you know when I see someone with ( said stickers applied. So far? Zero.

As to correct labels/certification on gloves, Alpinestars, Dainese, Rukka etc etc are self explanatory for any Gendarme looking at your kit. He aint going to start checking for tags. The first thing I do after first ride in new gloves is remove the bloody internal labels.

As to airbags, probably a good idea in general. The problem, apart from cost though is hot weather. The Dainese Airbag jacket looks like it might be bearable. Around £€ 6-700 though.

 

[Wapping]

You need helmet stickers in France (hi viz)
They come in the box with a new helmet.

Many helmets here in the UK, now come with the reflective section ‘built in’ as it were. My Shoei Neotech, by way of example, has them.

Gendarme looking at your kit. He aint going to start checking for tags…

I always think that if any policeman is taking an unnatural (but very professional) interest in the labels, you’ll probably have committed sufficient horrendous offences already, for which the quality or otherwise of your kit (let alone your underpants) will just be the icing on the gateaux. I’d be calling for a lawyer, rather than arguing the toss over stickers and labels.

The first thing I do after first ride in new gloves is remove the bloody internal labels.….

There was a very funny thread on the forum, on that very topic. Tac tec, being popular in some quarters.