Using CB radio in Spain and maybe France

[Northwards]

Hi guys,

Just like the title says really. I've had a CB in my car on and off for many years. It was put in first for a two Defender diving trip from nth of Scotland to the Sth of Ireland and back, and used on organised 'group' trips. Worth having for those few occasions. I think CB is great for quick discussions about routes, pit stops or any mechanical issues - a whole lot easier than a phone.

I only really use it on these trips, and as an example, in France last year when it was just me, I left the mic and the aerial at home.

For the 2023 trip we're looking at the Pyrenees and home via the west of France. A couple of friends might join us from Scotland to Spain and maybe for the return leg too. Before I suggest a CB radio for his car, can I check if anyone knows whether it's legal to have/use a CB in Spain and France? 

I have searched here and googled before posting. I saw some references to a licence for Spain, nothing for France, but none of those results were recent and I've no idea if those things are still in effect or if Brexit has c*cked this up changed this as well? 

In practical terms for two cars travelling in quite close convoy and transmitting intermittently on low power I can't see that we'd annoy anyone, but the aerials themselves are a little obvious - even if I do have a short-ish fitted at the back/roof of my car. 

Does anyone have any info on this? 

Many thanks 

Donald 

[Eightpot]

You can buy cb kit in France & Spain, and I've seen plenty of 4x4s driving round with them fitted. 

 

[elbekko]

Looks like you don't need a licence in France anymore, from what I can find.

[Alsace_rangie]

No licence needed in France since 1981.   26,960 MHz to 27,400 MHz

 

[Northwards]

Thanks very much guys - that’s the sort of peace of mind I was hoping for. Like I say, I don’t use it much so I know virtually nothing about frequencies etc but mine is a fairly new set with EU frequencies on it, so I’m sure I’m OK in that respect.

[TSD]

You should be able to use CEPT approved CB radio in any european country, without a licence. Technically it may be illegal to use a radio with UK channels available (even if you only use the CEPT channels), but realistically, you'd really struggle to find anyone who both knows and cares

 

[Arjan]

CEPT labelled CB unit are fine in France.

And most EU countries.

[Northwards]

Thanks again. The radio I have is a CRT brand, which I think is French anyway. I’ll need to check the box or the manual to see if it’s got a CEPT label on it. Until seeing it mentioned here, and googling, I had no idea what it meant so would not have noticed it.