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No sooner is the car parked in the shade than a note flutters under the windscreen wiper - or worse: the parking ticket arrives in the post weeks later. In the summer months in particular, the Costa Blanca sees an increase in the number of „multas“ - warnings for parking illegally, exceeding the parking time in a blue zone or driving illegally on a one-way street.
Many of those affected are unsettled when the notice later arrives in Spanish only, without clear payment details or contact persons. The following applies: if you react quickly, you can often save 50 per cent of the fine - but only if payment is made within 20 days.
What to do in the event of a „multa“ on the Costa Blanca?
1. do not ignore:
Even if the note looks inconspicuous or the letter arrives late - a multa is usually legally valid and, in the worst case, can lead to enforcement in the home country.
2. check sender:
Depending on the municipality, the ticket comes directly from the town hall (Ayuntamiento), the local public order office (Policía Local) or - for traffic offences on country roads and motorways - from the Spanish traffic authority DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico).
3. search for payment information:
In many cases, the payment method is indicated on the letter - but often only in Spanish. Mostly there are:
- a reference number (Número de expediente or Referencia)
- a website or QR code
- a payment term for the 50 per cent reduction
4. payment online
or directly at the authority:
- DGT offences can be paid conveniently by credit card at www.dgt.es.
- For municipal parking tickets, you usually have to go via the relevant town hall portal - e.g. www.ayto-denia.es or www.villajoyosa.com.
- Alternatively: Direct payment on site at the responsible Oficina de Recaudación or via the local bank (e.g. Sabadell or CaixaBank) with reason for payment and reference number.
Important notes
- In blue zones (Zona Azul) it is sometimes possible to pay the fine within an hour at the parking machine - with just a few euros the matter is then settled.
- In some municipalities, a small envelope is added to the ticket under the windscreen wiper. If you pay quickly, you avoid registration.
- Car hire customers should proactively ask about any „multas“ when returning the car - many providers pass on the penalties for a fee.
Parking tickets on the Costa Blanca are not a summer phenomenon, but they are particularly common during the season. Knowing the procedures will not only save you money, but also unnecessary journeys and stress. A multa is not a drama - but it should be taken seriously.
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