Last reviewed: 30 April 2026 | Sources: GOV.UK — Driving abroad (country rules) | French road safety authority | Spanish DGT | German StVO | Italian Highway Code
⚡ TL;DR — Skip to what matters
EU speed limits are lower than many UK drivers expect. France reduced rural road limits to 80km/h in 2018. Germany's autobahn has no blanket limit but advisory speeds apply. Spain requires two warning triangles. Italy requires a safety kit and has a zero-tolerance drink-drive limit for drivers under 21. All four countries require a high-visibility jacket within reach of the driver — not in the boot.
📋 Key Facts at a Glance
- France: 130km/h motorway | 110km/h dual carriageway | 80km/h rural | 50km/h town. Drink-drive: 50mg/100ml
- Spain: 120km/h motorway | 100km/h dual | 90km/h rural | 50km/h town. Two warning triangles required
- Germany: advisory 130km/h autobahn (no blanket limit) | 100km/h rural | 50km/h town. Drink-drive: 50mg/100ml
- Italy: 130km/h motorway | 110km/h dual | 90km/h rural | 50km/h town. Zero tolerance under 21
- UK drink-drive limit: 80mg/100ml blood — HIGHER than France, Spain, Germany, Italy (all 50mg/100ml)
- High-visibility jacket: must be within reach of driver in ALL four countries — not in boot
- Source: GOV.UK — Driving abroad | French/Spanish/German/Italian national road safety authorities
Speed limits by country
| Country | Motorway | Dual carriageway | Rural road | Urban/town |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 130km/h (110 in rain) | 110km/h (100 in rain) | 80km/h | 50km/h (20 in some zones) |
| Spain | 120km/h | 100km/h | 90km/h | 50km/h |
| Germany | Advisory 130km/h (no limit on unrestricted autobahn) | 100km/h | 100km/h | 50km/h |
| Italy | 130km/h (110 in rain/snow) | 110km/h | 90km/h | 50km/h |
| UK (for comparison) | 70mph (113km/h) | 70mph | 60mph (97km/h) | 30mph (48km/h) |
Drink-drive limits
This is a critical difference for UK drivers. The UK has one of the higher drink-drive limits in Europe at 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. France, Spain, Germany and Italy all operate at 50mg/100ml — a stricter limit. France and Italy have zero tolerance for new drivers and drivers of professional vehicles.
| Country | Standard limit (blood) | New/professional drivers |
|---|---|---|
| UK | 80mg/100ml | Same |
| France | 50mg/100ml | 20mg/100ml |
| Spain | 50mg/100ml | 30mg/100ml |
| Germany | 50mg/100ml | 0mg/100ml |
| Italy | 50mg/100ml | 0mg/100ml (under 21) |
The safest approach when driving abroad is zero alcohol. You may be under the UK limit but over the limit of the country you are visiting — and foreign police can and do stop UK-registered vehicles.
Mandatory equipment by country
| Item | France | Spain | Germany | Italy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-visibility jacket (within reach of driver) | ✅ Required | ✅ Required | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Warning triangle | ✅ 1 required | ✅ 2 required | ✅ 1 required | ✅ 1 required |
| First aid kit | Recommended | Recommended | ✅ Required | Recommended |
| Fire extinguisher | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| Breathalyser kit | Recommended | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Spare glasses (if needed for driving) | Recommended | ✅ Required | Not required | Not required |
Frequently asked questions
Does the German autobahn really have no speed limit?
Some sections of the German autobahn are unrestricted — there is no mandatory speed limit, only an advisory recommendation of 130km/h. However, many sections do have posted speed limits, and these increase significantly near towns, roadworks and during poor weather. Always observe posted signs.
France reduced its rural speed limit — is 80km/h still in place?
Yes — France reduced single-carriageway rural road limits from 90km/h to 80km/h in July 2018. This limit remains in place in 2026. Some departments have locally reinstated 90km/h on specific roads — these are posted with signs.
Can I be fined on the spot for speeding in Europe?
Yes — on-the-spot fines are common in France, Spain, Germany and Italy. Police can require immediate payment (often by card). Fines not paid on the spot can be pursued through UK courts via European debt recovery mechanisms.
Do speed cameras in EU countries catch UK-registered vehicles?
Yes — through the EU's cross-border enforcement directive, fixed and mobile speed camera fines can be sent to UK-registered keepers via their home country's licensing authority, even post-Brexit under bilateral enforcement agreements.
What happens if I'm in an accident in Europe?
Contact your insurer immediately using the European emergency number. Legal proceedings must generally be brought in the country where the accident occurred. You may need to make your claim in the local language. Take photos, get witness details and obtain a copy of any police report if police attend the scene.
Sources & References
- GOV.UK — Driving abroad: gov.uk/driving-abroad
- GOV.UK — Driving in the EU: gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu
- French road safety authority (Sécurité Routière) — Code de la Route
- Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) — road rules
- German Federal Road Traffic Act (StVO)
- Italian Highway Code (Codice della Strada)
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only — not motoring advice. Always verify at GOV.UK. More guides: our Driving in EU hub.
