An Overview of Europe's Top 10 Low Emission Zones (LEZs)
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Low Emission Zones (LEZs) have been established in dozens of cities across Europe to help reduce pollution and improve air quality by restricting access to certain vehicles based on their emission standards. They've become increasingly popular in recent years as a potentially impactful strategy for reducing dependence on motorised vehicles whilst offering affordable, clean, and accessible alternatives.
LEZs are not the same everywhere, which can make them difficult to compare, but there have been multiple studies conducted by health researchers that have shown a clear reduction in circulatory and heart problems where LEZs have been implemented. For example, a German study found a 7 to 12 per cent reduction in strokes and a 2 to 3 per cent reduction in heart problems.
The primary goal for implementing an LEZ is to encourage drivers to use vehicles that don't pollute as much or to switch to public transport, reducing the effects of air pollution and the harm it can cause to both people and the environment.
The 10 most notable Low Emission Zones across Europe can be found in the following cities.
London, England, UK
One of the oldest of the emission control schemes in London, the city's LEZ was launched in 2008. In a September 2021 report by the mayor, it was stated that the 'emissions standards for the scheme have increased over time so it has progressively made a significant contribution to improving air quality.'
The LEZs in the British capital can be found in most of Greater London and apply to all higher-polluting vehicles throughout the area. You can find out whether you need to pay to drive in an LEZ here by entering your registration number on the Transport for London (TfL) website. It will tell you if your vehicle meets the required emission standards. If it does not, you will have to pay the charge. Larger vehicles are more likely to be affected.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin was the first city to introduce a Low Emissions Zone, which is referred to here as the Umweltzone which requires a German emissions sticker called a Umweltplakette. This green sticker indicates the vehicle meets emission standards and is therefore allowed to drive in the LEZ (Umweltzone). Older petrol and diesel vehicles are banned from driving in Berlin's LEZs.
Paris, France
Frances uses the Crit'Air sticker which allows officials to determine the level of emissions a vehicle produces when driving its roads, with the colour of the sticker indicating the various emission levels. All vehicles must have this sticker whether foreign or domestic. In Central Paris and the surrounding areas certain vehicles, particularly older diesel cars and trucks, face restrictions when pollution levels are high.
The Greater Paris zone, or Métropole du Grand Paris, covers roughly 315 square miles (about 815 square kilometres). It includes 131 different municipalities. Crit' Air category 3, 4, and 5 vehicles are banned from driving in the Métropole du Grand Paris.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Belgium has Low Emission Zones in Ghent, Antwerp, and Brussels. The LEZ in Brussels includes the entire territory of the Brussels-Capital Region with 19 municipalities. It restricts older petrol and diesel vehicles based on emissions classifications with the restrictions enforced during peak traffic hours. This applies to vehicles registered in Belgium as well as foreign vehicles.
All cars and vans that weigh less than 3.5 tonnes; minibusses, buses, and coaches, must be authorised to enter the LEZ in Brussels. Heavy goods vehicles, motorbikes, scooters, and mopeds do not need to register currently but from 2025, registration will be necessary.
In Brussels, the regulations for diesel vehicles will tighten in 2025, requiring compliance with Euro 6 standards. Additionally, in the same year, petrol vehicles must meet Euro 3 standards. Starting in 2030, diesel vehicles will be banned entirely, and by 2035, all petrol, LPG, and CNG vehicles will also be prohibited.
Madrid, Spain
The Climate Change Act by the Spanish Congress required Low Emission Zones in Spain to be implemented by 2023. Currently, all cities with a population larger than 50,000, including Madrid, have LEZs. That means, to legally drive in these zones, a Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) Environmental Sticker, also known as an Environmental Distinction Badge, or Eco Sticker, is mandatory and must be displayed on your vehicle's windshield.
There are two Special Protection Low Emission Zones (ZBEDEP) in the Spanish capital, referred to as the Distrito Centro and the Plaza Eliptica. Whilst all vehicles must be registered to drive in these LEZs, those that are not registered in the DGT vehicle registry (often the case for foreign-registered vehicles), are not legally obliged to display the sticker as they aren't available for foreign-plated cars.
Vienna, Austria
The Low Emissions Zone in the Austrian capital applies to the entire 160.2 square mile area. That includes the inner districts of Vienna, encompassing the city centre and certain surrounding areas. It is marked with clear signage indicating the boundaries. Vehicles in categories N1, N2, and N3 vehicles are restricted, with entry allowed only to cars under the EURO 3 emissions class or above.
An Austrian environmental badge, called the Austrian Pickerl, is mandatory for traveling through the country's LEZs. You can buy this LEZ sticker quickly and easily at Tollwayr.com to ensure compliance with the Austrian environmental regulations.
Copenhagen, Denmark
There are LEZ in Denmark called miljozones that require foreign cars to be registered before entry. That includes Copenhagen. Passenger cars that are powered by diesel, vans, lorries (trucks), and buses are required to have a particulate filter fitted to enter Copenhagen's LEZ low emission whether it's a Danish or foreign vehicle. As of March 1, 2025, the LEZ in the Danish capital will be expanded to the municipal border towards Tårnby and will include the municipal border with the town but will not apply to the Øresund Motorway or the Otto Brahes All.
Milan, Italy
Italy includes three major LEZs, found in Bologna, Palermo, and Milan. Referred to as a 'congestion charge,' the fees go toward preventing or reducing congestion and pollution in city centres. In Milan, among Europe's most air-polluted cities due to the high population density, it applies to the AREA C environmental zone in the historic centre. Tolls are paid using tickets (available at some car parks, parking machines, Tobacci shops, and newspaper kiosks) on certain days and during certain hours, including:
- Mondays through Wednesdays
- Thursdays: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Fridays: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Euro 0 petrol vehicles and Euro 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 diesel vehicles are banned from entering during these periods without a particulate filter installed. That includes both vehicles with or without trailers exceeding a total length of 7.5 metres. Hybrid and electric vehicles do not require a ticket.
Geneva, Switzerland
To drive in Swiss Low Emission Zones you will need a Swiss environmental badge, also called a Stick'AIR, which was introduced in 2020 to reduce air pollution in Geneva. This applies to Geneva as well as the surrounding municipalities of Carouge, Cologny, Lancy, and Vernier. If your vehicle does not have an environmental badge or is of an insufficient class, which depends on the duration and level of the air pollution peak, you will not be able to drive in the LEZ between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., on any day of the week. Those with a French Crit'Air sticker are permitted to drive in Geneva's LEZ as it is accepted here.
With so many European cities establishing Low Emission Zones, before embarking on any trip you'll want to do some research to determine the specific rules in each destination you plan to drive in to avoid potential fines and other penalties. Tollwayr can be an important resource for LEZs throughout Europe, from advice about where they're needed to purchasing any necessary environmental sticker, helping to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.
