As of 2026, large portions of the AP-7 Mediterranean Motorway in Spain are indeed toll-free, following a multi-year government policy of "liberalizing" motorways as their private concessions expire. Currently, you can travel without paying tolls on the extensive sections between the French border (La Jonquera) and Alicante, including the stretches around Barcelona, Tarragona, and Valencia. In January 2026, the Spanish government further expanded this by making the Alicante ring road section permanently free after a successful trial period. However, some segments of the AP-7—particularly in the south between Malaga and Guadiaro and the "Costa del Sol" bypasses—remain under private operation and still require a toll. There are no "vignettes" in Spain, so for the remaining toll sections, you pay based on the distance traveled using cash, card, or the "VIA-T" electronic system. For the majority of tourists driving down the eastern coast from France to the popular beach resorts, the journey is now significantly cheaper than it was a decade ago, though the roads have become busier due to the increased traffic.