Can I burn garden waste or light a bonfire?
As a general rule, no. Open-air burning of garden and agricultural waste is banned in general by Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soils, for reasons of pollution, health and fire risk. It's only allowed exceptionally when the competent authority (the region) authorises it on health or plant-health grounds and there's no alternative. In practice, the recommendation is composting, shredding or taking the waste to the recycling point. Also, during high fire-risk periods, burning is fully banned and councils and regions can tighten the rules.
📋 The rules
- Burning garden waste: banned in general (Law 7/2022)
- Only with exceptional authorisation (health/plant-health grounds)
- Alternatives: composting, shredding, recycling point
- Total ban in high fire-risk periods
- Regions and councils can tighten restrictions
🔓 Exceptions
- Exceptional regional authorisation on plant-health grounds
- Certain farming practices with a permit and strict conditions
- Forest-management burns carried out by the Administration
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Burning garden waste without authorisation is an offence that can bring high fines (hundreds to several thousand euros, more serious near forest land). If the burn causes a wildfire, the criminal and civil liability is very serious, with prison and the duty to compensate the damage. Creating nuisance smoke for neighbours can also bring sanctions and nuisance claims.
📎 Official sources
- BOE · Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soils →
- Administración · Burning agricultural waste →
- MITECO · Wildfire prevention →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I burn my garden leaves and waste?
As a general rule, no. Law 7/2022 bans open-air burning of garden waste, except by exceptional authorisation on health or plant-health grounds. The recommendation is to compost, shred or take it to the recycling point.
When is burning allowed?
Only exceptionally, when the region authorises it on plant-health grounds and there's no viable alternative. During high fire-risk periods, burning is fully banned.
What's the fine for burning waste?
Sanctions can run from hundreds to several thousand euros, and are more serious near forest land. If the burn causes a wildfire, the criminal and civil liability is very high, with possible prison.
What do I do with pruning waste?
Best is composting or shredding to use as mulch, or taking it to the recycling point or your town's garden-waste collection service. Always avoid unauthorised burning.
Can I have a barbecue in the countryside?
It depends on the period and the area. In fire-risk periods or places, barbecues and any open-air fire are banned, except in designated recreational areas. Check your region's restrictions.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “burn garden waste banned spain”
- “law 7/2022 agricultural burning”
- “burn leaves garden fine”
- “plant-health burning authorisation”
- “barbecue countryside fire risk”
- “what to do pruning waste”