Low Emission Zones in Europe
Europe-wide information on LEZ s
European Low Emission Zone
Low Emission
Zones
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Your source of information about Low Emission Zones and how they affect you when you drive in Europe. There are many Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in 10 European countries. Low Emission Zones are areas where vehicle access is limited by its emissions.

This website, www.lowemissionzones.eu, gives all the information you need to drive in LEZs in Europe. The information is available within 1-2 clicks from the homepage, either via the frontpage map or side and top menus.

To navigate the site, click on the map; use the tabs at the top to find Cities by A-Z or by Country, how to comply, and retrofitting details. This text also gives many links you can use to navigate the site.

Alternatively use the left hand menu to find out what are LEZs, and do why they exit, get an overview of LEZs, or use our 'Quick Guide'.

The ‘Quick Guide’ gives an overview table with all LEZs by country/city or start date, showing the most important facts at a single glance (emissions standard, vehicles, dates) and a link to full information. It also allows you to search LEZs by vehicle type affected: coach, lorry, camper van, van, car and motorcycle.

Overview of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in Europe

LEZs are implemented to improve air quality, and help meet the EU health-based air quality limits, particularly of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5 and also Black Carbon) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Poor air quality kills over 310000 people in Europe each year - more than by road accidents – with human health costs of between €427 and €790 billion per year.

Which vehicles are affected?

The following table gives a summary by vehicles affected:

 Vehicle type

 LEZs

 Vehicle standard 2011

 Future standard

 Lorries only

Netherlands Euro 4(PM) Euro 4 (1/7/13)
Austrian A12 motorway Euro 2/3  
Mont Blanc Tunnel, FR/IT Euro 1  
 Heavy Duty Vehicles   London, UK Euro 3(PM) Euro 4(PM) (3/1/12)
Denmark Fit filter if <Euro 4  
Sweden 8 years old / Euro 3  
Prague, CZ Euro 2  
 All 4+ wheelers Germany Euro 2-4(PM) & Euro 1 petrol  
 All vehicles Italy Euro 1-3 / no 2-stroke motorcycles  
 Local buses under agreements Norwich, UK Euro 3(NOx)  
Oxford, UK None Euro V (1/1/13)
 Vans London, UK None Euro 3 (3/1/12)
Germany Euro 2-4(PM) & Euro 1 petrol  
taly Euro 1-3 / no 2-stroke motorcycles  

Operating hours: Most LEZs operate permanently, the exemption is Italy, where LEZs sometimes operate at peak or other selected times.

Do I have to register before entering? In Germany and Sweden you will need to buy a sticker. Danish vehicles need to purchase a sticker for the Danish LEZs, foreign vehicles need to carry proof of the vehicle emissions standard. Foreign vehicles are required to register with London’s LEZ (as the national database does not include their details). Entry to the Prague LEZ is by permit. Some Italian LEZs require stickers, and you need to pay to enter the Milan Ecopass area. In many cases registration is possible by Internet or post. More information on registering can be found on our 'Where do I need to register' page.

Other LEZs are enforced with cameras reading the vehicle number plates (Netherlands, London), or by police controlling the vehicle papers (Italy, A12, Mont Blanc Tunnel), or local agreements (Norwich, Oxford (UK)).

LEZs are also called Environment Zones, or in a selection of European languages: Umweltzonen, Fahrverbote, Milieuzones, Lavutslippssone, Norway, Miljozone, Miljözon, Zielone Strefy, Nízkoemisní Zóny, ZAPA (Zone d'Action Prioritaire pour l'Air, zone environnementale), Zona de Bajas Emisiones.

LEZs currently exist in 8 countries, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, the Czech Republic. They are also in planning in other countries.

If your vehicle does not meet the emission standards required, you can buy a newer vehicle, use a different vehicle, or modify your vehicle's engine, for example by fitting a diesel particulate filter. You can find more about the different options from our how to comply page.

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This automatic translation is provided to help you. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy of translations. The site is written in English.
About this website

Network Logo

This website is run on behalf of the Low Emission Zone in Europe Network (LEEZEN), LEZ cities, on behalf of cities, ministries and regions, working together to spread information about the LEZs that they run, by Sadler Consultants.

LEEZEN and this website are supported and part-funded by the European Union. The support forms part of the implementation of the Action Plan on Urban Mobility, helping inform vehicle operators about LEZs. The funding has enabled an upgrade of the website to allow details of all European LEZs, facilitate translation into many different languages and maps to be upgraded. It also allows more stakeholder engagement. The EU part-funding runs for 3 years from 7th December 2009 to 6th December 2012.

If you want to contact anyone about the LEZs, then please contact the individual city, the websites are given on the links page and on the individual LEZ city page.

LEZ Network logo

EU_flag

This website is regularly updated, so please check regularly to see what LEZs are in operation. Changes include new LEZs being implemented, operating LEZs tightening their standards or change their area, and the implementation of new LEZs may be delayed or occasionally cancelled. All the LEZs displayed on this website have been confirmed as in operation or preparation.

Impressium/Contacts

Sadler Consultants Ltd, VAT no: DE 263964762. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Webaddress: www.airqualitypolicy.co.uk  

Disclaimer

All LEZs displayed on this website have been officially confirmed as in operation or preparation. This may change, for example the air quality may improve through other means, or the start date may slip. There may also be LEZs that are under preparation but not yet officially confirmed, that are not on this website.

The information contained on this website is supplied to assist members of the public in seeking information about the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) schemes in Europe.  This site is regularly updated and makes reasonable efforts to be complete and accurate. However, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this website, or for compliance of any individual vehicle with the LEZ. We accept no responsibility for any action taken from information on this website. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on each LEZ, please check the individual LEZ website, which can be found from the city pages as well as the useful links pages.

This website has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of LEEZEN and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

This automatic translation is to help you. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy of translations.

Information on LEZ exemptions are listed for your guide only. They are not officially translated, and are current as of winter 2009/10. The original on the city/regional/national website is the only accurate source.

Any maps used have been collected from public sources. We have informed the sources of maps used that we have used their maps, requesting feedback if appropriate.

There are a number of links to external websites from this website. We cannot take responsibility for the content of these websites.

For problems with the functioning of this website, please Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 Acknowledgements

Website technical design by Trevor Bennett. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Graphics assistance with maps and logo by Mark Wrigley This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In producing this website we would like to acknowledge the use of Open Source and GNU General Public License software especially:

Joomla CMS http://www.Joomla.org

Community Builder http://www.joomlapolis.com

MosQ Reporter http://www.ongetc.com/

Joomal Sitemap http://joomlacode.org/gf/project/joomap/

MooFAQ http://joomla.focalizaisso.com.br/en/componentes/moofaq.html

Bookmarks  TEG Design http://www.tegdesign.ch/

used in constructing the site.

 
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