The Ertzaintza has announced increased alcohol and drug checks on roads in the Basque Country from 26 October to 1 November 2026 The operation is being carried out in coordination with local police forces and forms part of the 2026 road-monitoring calendar of 33 campaigns planned by the Gobierno Vasco The announcement was made on 25 October via Irekia on 4 November 2026.
The legal basis is Spain’s Ley de Seguridad Vial and the Reglamento General de Circulación. Drivers are required to submit to checks when instructed to do so by police. Refusal may be treated as a suspected offence against road safety and generally leads to the vehicle being immobilised unless a sober replacement driver is available.
Breath alcohol tests are carried out twice, at least ten minutes apart. After measurement tolerances are deducted, the rules are as follows: below 0.25 milligrams of alcohol per litre of breath (0.15 mg/l for professional drivers and new drivers with less than two years’ experience), the journey may continue. A reading above 0.25 mg/l (or 0.15 mg/l) and below 0.60 mg/l constitutes an administrative offence. At 0.60 mg/l or above, it is a criminal offence. At the request of the person concerned or by court order, a blood test carried out by medical staff may be used as the preferred confirmatory test.
Penalties for a positive breath alcohol test are tiered: a very serious administrative offence carries a €500 fine and the deduction of four points if the reading is no higher than 0.50 mg/l. For readings above 0.50 mg/l and no higher than 0.60 mg/l, the fine is €1,000 and six points are deducted. If officers observe clear signs of alcohol-related impairment, an offence of driving under the influence of alcohol may be considered regardless of the reading.
Drug tests are carried out using a saliva sample; a positive rapid test is confirmed in a laboratory. If confirmed, this constitutes a very serious administrative offence, punishable by a €1,000 fine and the deduction of six points.
Last year, Ertzaintza carried out 1,325 checks as part of its campaigns, with a total of 9,751 tests; 485 results were positive, equivalent to around five per cent. Police have not specified the locations of checks during the week-long operation; figures on the number of offences are usually published afterwards.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).