Driving in Europe? Here's Why You Need to Know About Low Emission Zones
Have you ever thought of taking a road trip to your vacation destination in Europe? Perhaps you love the adventure of the open road, loathe the idea of flying, or enjoy the flexibility of making impromptu stops along the way. Or maybe you prefer to rent a car when you arrive. Whatever your reason, if you're heading to Europe, have you checked if you'll be driving in a low emission zone - or even know what that means?
Did you know that there are over 300 low emission zones throughout Europe? To drive legally in these areas, you'll need a sticker, certificate, or registration. If you've driven in Italy, you've probably already encountered this, as Italy has the highest number of low emission zones in Europe.
So what exactly are Low Emission Zones?
These are areas where the most polluting vehicles are regulated and restricted from entering. In some LEZs, the more polluting vehicles have to pay a fee if they enter. There are also Zero Emission Zones, where only battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are allowed. For some plug-in hybrid vehicles, there may be an interim period where they are permitted to enter.
In addition to these zones, there are also ultra-low-emission zones (ULEZs), where access to city centers is limited for certain types of vehicles.
Want to know where these zones are located? Check out this map, which I've personally used numerous times to plan my road trips throughout Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
You also want to look for these names, as they are not all called LEZs:
Environment Zones
Umweltzonen (Germany)
Milieuzones (Netherlands)
ZCR (France)
Lage-emissiezone (Belgium)
Clean Air Zones (England)
Miljøzone (Denmark)
Miljözon (Sweden)
Lavutslippssone (Norway)
Alacsony Kibocsátási Övezet (Hungary)
ZTL ambiente (Italy)
What is the reason for the existence of Low Emission Zones?
In many towns and cities, LEZs are considered the most efficient way to combat air pollution. They help to decrease the emissions of harmful pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, fine particles, and ozone, which in turn improves air quality and makes it safer to breathe.
Who is impacted by Low Emission Zones?
The majority of LEZs are targeted at vans and lorries, but in countries such as France, Germany, and Italy, they also affect cars.
This is a list of the low-emission zones (LEZ) and their regulations in some of the larger cities in Europe:
London, UK: LEZ applies to larger vans, minibuses, buses, coaches over 5 tonnes, trucks, and specialist heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) applies to motorcycles, motor tricycles, quadricycles, cars, private-hire vehicles, small vans, larger vans, and minibuses. Foreign vehicles need to register with Transport for London (TFL) and pay the daily charge if the vehicle does not meet the emission standards.
Paris, France: All cars entering the zone must meet the minimum standard: a B emission sticker. Trucks, vans, motorcycles, mopeds, historic vehicles, emergency vehicles, and transport for people with disabilities have exemptions. Depending on the emissions sticker, parking rates vary in this zone. Foreign vehicles need to meet the minimum standard, although there is no obligation to display an emissions sticker.
Lisbon, Portugal: Lisbon's LEZ is divided into two sections, Zone 1 and Zone 2. Both are active on working days from 7am to 9pm. In Zone 1, vehicles must meet the Euro 3 emissions standard to enter. In Zone 2, vehicles must meet the Euro 2 standard. Vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes cannot enter either zone during active hours. Limited traffic zone applies on working days from 10am to 8pm and from 1am to 8am. During these hours, only vehicles with a green, red, or blue sticker are allowed to enter. All regulations apply to foreign vehicles.
Brussels, Belgium: As of January 2022, petrol vehicles in the LEZ must meet a minimum emissions standard of Euro 2. Diesel vehicles must meet a minimum standard of Euro 5. Regulations apply on working days between 7am and 9pm. Only vehicles with an electronic badge can enter the Zero Emission Zone. Foreign vehicles are affected, and they can register through here.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: To enter the zone, diesel passenger cars, diesel delivery vans, campervans, and motorhomes must meet a minimum standard of Euro 4. Diesel trucks, buses, and coaches must meet a minimum standard of Euro 6. This zone is active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Those with foreign vehicles should contact the City of Amsterdam's information line: +31 20 624 1111 if calling from outside the Netherlands, and 14 020 if calling from inside the Netherlands.
Berlin, Germany: Any vehicle entering this zone needs to display a green sticker. Diesel vehicles need to meet the minimum standard of Euro 4, while petrol vehicles require a minimum standard of Euro 1. Vehicles that do not meet these standards can be retrofitted with a particulate filter to qualify. This zone is active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These regulations apply to foreign vehicles.
Vienna, Austria: All trucks and heavy goods vehicles must meet a minimum emissions standard of Euro 3 to enter. This zone is active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Foreign vehicles need to display an emissions sticker.
Rome, Italy: The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is divided into three parts: the green zone, the railway ring, and the city center. Petrol vehicles in the green zone must meet Euro 2 standards, while diesel vehicles must meet Euro 3 standards. In the railway ring, petrol vehicles must meet Euro 3 standards, diesel vehicles must meet Euro 4 standards, and diesel mopeds and motorcycles must meet Euro 2 standards. The same standards apply to foreign vehicles that wish to access the LEZ in Rome. In the city center, petrol cars must meet Euro 2 standards, and diesel cars must meet Euro 4 standards.
Oslo, Norway: Diesel-powered passenger cars, vans, trucks, and buses that do not meet Euro 6 emissions standards are banned during times of high pollution. The city can also close municipal car parks in a "red zone" during these times. The temporary ban on diesel vehicles also applies to foreign vehicles.
Copenhagen, Denmark: Buses and trucks must be registered on or after 2015 to access the LEZ. Older diesel vehicles are allowed to enter the zone if they have a particulate filter installed. If a non-Danish van, truck, or bus was registered before 2015, the vehicle must be registered with documentation for a particulate filter. Non-Danish vehicles must complete this registration no later than the day of entry into Copenhagen's LEZ.
Stockholm, Sweden: All passenger cars, minibuses, and vans entering the LEZ must meet a minimum emissions standard of Euro 6. Older vehicles with exemptions need to display a sticker, while vehicles meeting these standards do not. Foreign vehicles must also meet these same standards.
Helsinki, Finland: Only local buses and waste disposal trucks must meet a minimum emissions standard of Euro 5 to operate in the LEZ at any time. This regulation does not apply to foreign vehicles.
Prague, Czech Republic: The Truck LEZ requires vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes to apply for a permit to enter the zone, which is extended for vehicles above 6 and 12 tonnes. To receive a permit, a vehicle must meet the Euro 4 emissions standard. Foreign vehicles must also apply for a permit. Plans to introduce an LEZ for other vehicles have not been enacted yet.
Budapest, Hungary: There are 11 protected zones where no traffic of any kind is allowed, and 15 restricted zones where heavy-duty vehicles need a permit to enter. These regulations apply to foreign vehicles as well.
Wander the world, tread lightly.
