Spain rolls out connected V-16 beacons with IDEMIA

Spain has completed the nationwide rollout of mandatory connected V-16 emergency beacons. IDEMIA Secure Transactions provides the secure IoT connectivity that enables millions of devices to communicate with traffic authorities in real time.

The country has replaced traditional roadside warning triangles with connected V-16 emergency beacons as of January 1, 2026. The new regulation is designed to improve road safety by allowing stranded vehicles to automatically transmit their location to the country’s traffic management platform.

Spain’s mandatory V-16 emergency beacon program is expected to cover up to 30 million vehicles, making it the largest connected road safety deployment in Europe. The devices automatically transmit a stopped vehicle’s location using secure IoT connectivity, helping authorities respond more quickly while reducing risks for stranded drivers.

Unlike conventional warning triangles, the beacons eliminate the need for drivers to leave their vehicles, reducing the risk of roadside accidents. Once activated, each device securely sends its location to the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) through the DGT 3.0 platform, allowing authorities to warn nearby road users and coordinate emergency responses more efficiently.

Secure IoT connectivity at national scale

IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST) supplies the embedded secure SIM technology used in the majority of DGT-certified V-16 beacons through collaborations with Telefónica, Vodafone Spain and MasOrange.

The solution uses low-power cellular connectivity and encrypted data transmission to ensure secure communication with the DGT platform. The beacons require no smartphone pairing or user configuration, allowing them to operate immediately in emergency situations while preserving user anonymity.

According to the company, the system is designed to remain operational for at least 12 years and is expected to support up to 30 million vehicles across Spain.

Reference model for connected road safety

Beyond protecting individual drivers, the nationwide deployment provides traffic authorities with faster and more accurate information about roadside incidents. This supports quicker emergency response, improved traffic management and safer road conditions.

IDEMIA said the Spanish deployment represents Europe’s largest connected road safety initiative and could serve as a model for other countries considering similar connected mobility programs.