The Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) has activated a special monitoring and control plan to manage the significant increase in road travel expected over the Christmas period. The operation will begin on Friday, December 19 at 3:00 p.m. and will remain active until midnight on Tuesday, January 6.
Across this timeframe, an estimated 22.4 million road journeys will take place, distributed in three phases:
- Christmas Phase: December 19–25, with 8.5 million expected trips.
- New Year Phase: December 26–January 1.
- Epiphany Phase: January 2–6, 2026, when the special operation will conclude.
Most journeys—both long and short distances—are expected to head toward second homes, mountain areas, winter tourism destinations and major shopping centres.
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Spain’s DGT expects 22.4 million road journeys during the Christmas holidays and launches a nationwide traffic safety operation. A reinforced plan to ensure mobility and road safety
To ensure safe and fluid travel, the DGT will deploy its full range of human and technical resources, including:
- Civil Guard Traffic Division officers,
- staff from the Traffic Management Centres,
- helicopters, drones and surveillance cameras,
- and road maintenance and signalling teams.
The plan includes:
- reversible and additional lanes during peak hours,
- suspension of roadworks on the busiest routes,
- freight truck restrictions on specific dates and times,
- alternative routes for congestion-prone areas,
- and increased monitoring of speeding, mobile phone use and seatbelt compliance through fixed and mobile radars and unmarked vehicles.
The DGT will also work to maintain safe driving conditions on roads affected by snow, ice, fog, rain or wind, and will intensify alcohol and drug checks as a preventive measure.
Real-time traffic updates will be provided via radio, television, the official traffic website, X (@DGTes and @InformacionDGT), and through the helpline 011.