🇪🇺 European Regulations

EU Low Emission Zones 2026Complete European LEZ Guide

Over 250 low emission zones across Europe. Understand the requirements for driving in European cities and the stickers/registrations you need.

EU LEZ Overview

250+
Active zones in Europe
15
Countries with LEZs
2030
Diesel bans coming
20-40%
Typical NO2 reduction

Country-by-Country Guide

🇩🇪

Germany

Umweltzone

50+ zones

Germany's extensive network of environmental zones requiring green stickers (Umweltplakette) for Euro 4+ diesel vehicles.

Major cities:Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg, Stuttgart
Requirement:Green sticker (Grüne Plakette) - Euro 4+ petrol or diesel with particle filter
🇫🇷

France

ZFE-m (Zones à Faibles Émissions)

20+ zones

French low emission zones using Crit'Air sticker system. Expanding rapidly with more cities each year.

Major cities:Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Strasbourg
Requirement:Crit'Air sticker 0-3 typically required. Stricter in Paris.
🇮🇹

Italy

ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato)

100+ zones

Italy has the most zones, often combining traffic restriction with emissions. Regional rules vary significantly.

Major cities:Milan, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Turin, Naples
Requirement:Varies by city. Milan Area C requires registration. Many cities ban Euro 3 diesel.
🇳🇱

Netherlands

Milieuzone

15+ zones

Dutch environmental zones primarily targeting diesel vehicles and mopeds. No stickers needed - automatic enforcement.

Major cities:Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven
Requirement:Euro 4 diesel minimum for most zones. Amsterdam banning diesel by 2030.
🇧🇪

Belgium

LEZ

3 zones

Three major LEZs covering Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent. Automatic enforcement via cameras.

Major cities:Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent
Requirement:Registration required. Euro 4 petrol/Euro 5 diesel minimum. Strictening each year.
🇸🇪

Sweden

Miljözon

8 zones

Swedish environmental zones in major cities. Three classes with varying restrictions.

Major cities:Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Uppsala
Requirement:Class 1-3 zones. Class 3 (Stockholm 2026) will only allow electric vehicles.
🇦🇹

Austria

Umweltzone

5+ zones

Austrian environmental zones requiring registration. Focus on commercial vehicles.

Major cities:Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Linz
Requirement:Euro 5 diesel for HGVs. Lower Styria zone covers large area.
🇪🇸

Spain

ZBE (Zona Bajas Emisiones)

10+ zones

Spanish low emission zones expanding rapidly. Barcelona and Madrid leading implementation.

Major cities:Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville
Requirement:DGT sticker system. Many zones require "B" environmental label minimum.

European Sticker Systems

🇩🇪 German Umweltplakette

Green sticker for Euro 4+ vehicles. Buy online before travel (€15-30).

  • • Red: Euro 2
  • • Yellow: Euro 3
  • • Green: Euro 4+ (required)

🇫🇷 French Crit'Air

6-level sticker system. Order from French government site (€3.70 + postage).

  • • 0 (Green): Electric/Hydrogen
  • • 1 (Purple): Euro 5-6 petrol
  • • 2-3: Usually accepted
  • • 4-5: Often restricted

🇪🇸 Spanish DGT Label

Free from Spanish traffic authority. 4 categories based on emissions.

  • • 0 (Blue): Electric
  • • ECO (Green/Blue): Hybrids
  • • C (Green): Euro 4 petrol/Euro 6 diesel
  • • B (Yellow): Euro 3 petrol/Euro 4 diesel

Travelling to Europe?

  • 1. Check which zones you'll pass through using urbanaccessregulations.eu
  • 2. Order required stickers 2-4 weeks before travel
  • 3. Register vehicle with Belgium/Italian zones if needed
  • 4. Keep registration confirmations in vehicle
  • 5. Check for temporary restrictions (pollution peaks)

Fines for Non-Compliance

  • Germany: €80-100
  • France: €68-135
  • Italy: €80-300+
  • Netherlands: €100-250
  • Belgium: €150-350
  • Spain: €100-500

Check European Air Quality

Even with LEZs, pollution levels vary significantly. Check real-time air quality data for European cities.

EU Air Quality Hub →