Dash Cams In Spain - Are They Legal?

If you're driving in Spain and thinking about installing a dash cam, you're not alone. More and more expats and Spanish residents are turning to dash cameras to protect themselves from road incidents, scams, and unfair insurance claims. But are dash cams actually legal in Spain in 2025? The answer is yes—but with strict conditions you need to understand first.

Are Dash Cams Legal in Spain?

Yes, dash cams are legal to own and install in Spain. However, their use is governed by very specific data protection and traffic safety laws. You can use a dash cam to record your journeys, but sharing that footage or positioning the device incorrectly could land you with fines of up to €200—or worse, a full data protection investigation.

Key Legal Rules for Dash Cams in 2025

1. Hands-Off Rule: Dash cams must be mounted securely and must not be operated while driving. Handling the device behind the wheel is treated like mobile phone use and carries a fine of up to €200 and possible licence points.
   
   
2. Field of Vision: The camera must not obstruct the driver’s view of the road. Recommended placement is behind the rearview mirror. Poor positioning can result in an €80 fine for impaired visibility.
   
   
3. Data Privacy: Spanish law treats dash cam footage as personal data if it includes licence plates, faces, or identifiable features. Sharing that footage on social media or WhatsApp without consent violates Spain’s data protection law (LOPDGDD) and GDPR. Filming police or emergency personnel is also prohibited unless part of an official report.
   
   
4. Recording Limits: Continuous 24/7 recording can be classed as unauthorised surveillance. In 2025, authorities recommend loop recording that only stores footage in short, event-triggered clips unless a collision or impact is detected.

Types of Dash Cams You Can Buy

Not all dash cams are created equal. Here’s what’s available in the Spanish market:

• Front-Facing Only: Basic and affordable, these capture the road ahead and are perfect for everyday commutes or first-time users.
  
  
• Front + Rear Dual Lens: These record both front and back simultaneously, ideal for covering rear-end collisions—common in Spain’s roundabouts and city traffic.
  
  
• Cabin-Facing: Often used in taxis or ride-share vehicles, these record inside the vehicle and are only legal when clearly signposted for passengers.
  
  
• Parking Mode Cameras: These include motion detection and shock sensors, ideal if you want to catch vandals or hit-and-run drivers while parked.

Why Expats Are Using Dash Cams More Than Ever

In Spain, road disputes are often one person’s word against another. Dash cams offer video evidence that can:

• Support your claim in an accident
  
  
• Protect against fraudulent claims or “staged crashes”
  
  
• Help retain your no-claims bonus
  
  
• Speed up insurance dispute resolution
  
  
• Provide proof in cases of hit-and-run or road rage

Some Spanish insurers now offer small discounts for drivers with certified dash cams, and some police departments will accept dash cam footage when submitted alongside an official report.

Can Dash Cam Footage Be Used in Court?

Yes, in most cases. Courts in Spain may accept dash cam footage as supporting evidence during proceedings, particularly when the video shows an offence or accident in progress. That said, if the footage violates privacy laws, it may be inadmissible—or worse, you could be fined separately under GDPR rules. Always submit footage via official channels, not social media.

What Not To Do With Your Dash Cam

Many expats unknowingly break Spanish law by:

• Uploading videos to Facebook or TikTok with visible number plates or faces
  
  
• Sending dash cam clips to group chats with identifying details
  
  
• Leaving footage recording continuously without a legitimate security trigger
  
  
• Installing the dash cam directly in the line of sight

When in doubt, treat dash cam footage like sensitive data. Store it securely, blur faces or plates before sharing, and avoid sharing unless absolutely necessary.

The Bottom Line

Dash cams are 100% legal in Spain—but careless use can get you in trouble. Mount them properly, keep your hands off while driving, and don’t go viral with footage that violates someone’s privacy. Used responsibly, dash cams can protect you from insurance scams, traffic fines, and accidents you didn’t cause.

Driving in Spain regularly? Make sure you're also covered for medical emergencies that may arise from a road accident. The Sanitas Top Quantum plan includes full traffic accident coverage—ideal for expats behind the wheel.