If you’re visiting Spain and plan on hiring a car, then you need to remember that like the UK, Spain has strict laws concerning the use of seat belts and car seats. EVERYONE in the vehicle must wear a seat belt at all times, and children have to be in the correct safety seat for their age and height.

Unlike the UK, where children need to be over 135 cm or over 12 years old, in Spain children need to be over 135 cm tall and over 12 years before they can travel without a car seat. EDIT (9th June 2014): Now children only need to be over 135 cm to travel without a car sear in Spain too, due to the last changes in the traffic law.
Furthermore, anyone who does not meet these criteria is forbidden to travel in the front seat of the vehicle.

There is a certain amount of overlap with the seat groups, but to help you choose the best car seat for your younger passengers, here’s a summary of the car seats rules for each age. (more…)