If you're planning a visit to Denmark that includes some driving, you'll need to know about its low emission zones (LEZs). There are five environmental zones (miljozones in Danish) that require foreign cars to be registered before entry. That includes Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Odense, Aarhus and Aalborg.
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While you do not need a Danish emissions sticker, an EcoSticker, or a vignette, registration is mandatory before entering any of these low-emission zones. The most convenient way to do this is to have Tollwayr.com register your vehicle.
The Danish Emission Zones In 2024
The Danish emission zones were first introduced in Copenhagen and Frederiksberg in 2008. Originally, vehicles in Denmark needed a vignette called an EcoSticker that was adhered to their windshields. As of July 1, 2020, this was replaced by digital registration, a camera-based system using automated number plate recognition.
License plate numbers are recorded using cameras positioned at various points in each zone, scanning vehicles automatically. The numbered plate is then compared with a database to determine whether the vehicle is authorized to enter. If it finds that it is not authorized, a significant fine of up to €1700 is levied. This applies to foreign vehicles as well as vehicles that are registered in Denmark.
Environmental Zone of Copenhagen
As mentioned, the Copenhagen LEZ was introduced in 2008. It primarily concerns the Copenhagen city center and the Frederiksberg Municipality as detailed below. To limit obstruction of ferry and commercial traffic to and from the city, a transit route from Nordhavn runs through the LEZ, but it is not part of the zone. If you drive on this road with a truck of 12 tons and above you will need to pay Danish toll for driving on the Danish state road network.
Diesel-powered passenger cars, vans, buses, and lorries (trucks) must have a particulate filter fitted to enter Copenhagen's low emission zones whether a Danish or foreign vehicle.
From March 1, 2025, the LEZ in Copenhagen will be expanded to the municipal border towards Tårnby. It will include the municipal border with the town but not the Øresund Motorway or the Otto Brahes All.
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Environmental Zone of Frederiksberg
Frederiksberg is a city within a city. It is an independent municipality, separate from the Copenhagen municipality but part of the neighborhood and general capital region of Denmark. The regulations for low emission registration in Copenhagen also apply to the LEZ in Frederiksberg. Like the Danish capital, diesel-powered vehicles as noted are required to have a particulate filter fitted to enter.
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Environmental Zone of Odense
The LEZ in Odense was introduced in 2010, the last of Denmark's five environmental zones to be established. Located on the island of Funen in the Syddanmark region, this LEZ originally only applied to domestically registered vehicles. Like all of the other LEZ in Denmark it now applies to both foreign registered vehicles as well. It is located within Ring Road 2 and also includes the swing bridge Odins Bro that crosses the canal.
Like all of the low emission zones in Denmark, the diesel-powered vehicles listed previously must have a particulate filter fitted to enter the Odense LEZ.
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Environmental Zone of Aarhus
Aarhus was the third city in Denmark to establish a low emission zone. Introduced in 2010, it initially only included domestically registered vehicles but has been expanded to include foreign-registered vehicles. It applies to the same diesel-powered vehicles as noted, and is located east of the city on the Aarhus Bay of the Kattegat.
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Environmental Zone of Aalborg
After Copenhagen and Frederiksberg, Aalborg was the next LEZ to be established, introduced in early 2009 initially only including Denmark-registered vehicles. Today all diesel-powered vehicles mentioned previously, both foreign and domestically registered, must follow the LEZ regulations. Primarily in Aalborg's city center, take note that Vestebro Street is a transit route running through but not part of the low emission zone.
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Buy the Danish Eco-Vignette
There is no longer a physical environmental sticker available in Denmark, as France and Germany require. Instead, online registration is necessary for the Danish zones.
Danish Vignette via Tollwayr
The quickest and easiest way to obtain the required registration for your vehicle is through Tollwayr. It can be accomplished in under 2 minutes at Tollwayr for just €19.95. We accept all international payments such as Paypal and Creditcard.
Please note that you will need to apply 24 hours before enter any of the Danish environmental zones.
The following vehicle data is required in order to complete your registration for the Danish low emission zone:
- Country of registration
- License plate
- Brand and model of vehicle
- Vehicle emission class
- Vehicle category
- Vehicle registration date
- Personal details/contact information
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
You will receive a digital confirmation of the registration by email a few minutes after the payment has been finalized.
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Exemptions
There are several exemptions that apply to Denmark's low emission zones, including the following:
- Owners or users of handicapped vehicles registered for private use and/or those who have a blue parking card for the disabled.
- Owners and/or users (and close family members) of passenger cars that are included in the LEZ rules who have an appointment for medical treatment with a medical specialist or at a hospital within the low emission zone.
- Owners and users of passenger cars who have nighttime work between the hours of 20:00 and 10:00 within a LEZ. This must be documented by submitting a declaration from your employer dated no more than six months prior to the time of registration of the exemption.
Fines and Enforcement
Compliance with Denmark's LEZ regulations is enforced by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. A camera-based system using automated number plate recognition is used, as we touched on briefly. The police also control and enforce the low emission zones.
The license plate numbers of vehicles are recorded by using cameras strategically placed throughout each low emission zone. Vehicles are scanned automatically and the plate is compared with a database to determine whether it has been authorized to enter.
Vehicles that are not authorized to enter the LEZ will be fined whether foreign registered or registered in Denmark.
- Lorries/trucks face the higher fines of €1700
- Passenger cars and vans are fined €200.
FAQ
Low emission zones are areas where restrictions are placed on vehicles that do not meet specific environmental standards to reduce air pollution. In Denmark, these zones are located in Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Aalborg, Odense, and Aarhus.
Diesel-powered vehicles, including passenger cars, vans, lorries, and buses, must have a particulate filter to drive legally in these zones. Furthermore, vehicles that run on gasoline must have a valid registration before entering the zone.
The fixed-penalty notice is DKK 12,500 (approximately €1700) for lorries and buses, and DKK 1,500 (approximately €200) for vans and passenger cars operating illegally in the zones.
If you’ve purchased registration from us we can provide this information.
Yes, all vehicles must be registered before entering the zones. This should be done at least 24 hours before entering the zone.
Yes, exemptions and dispensations are available under certain conditions. We’ve listed them in this article for you.
You can reach out to the authorities via chat, email, or phone for assistance regarding low emission zones and regulations.
An EcoSticker indicates a vehicle's compliance with emission standards and was required for entering low emission zones in Denmark. It was issued in 2011 but has been replaced by a camera-based system established in 2021.
An official registration can be purchased online at Tollwayr. The process involves providing vehicle details to determine eligibility and compliance.
Low Emission Zones in Neighbouring Countries
Sweden
Germany
Sweden