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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Lombardia Region

From October 2011, most comunes in Lombardia have permenant LEZs.
The map below shows the LEZs in Lombardia
Lombardia all zones LEZ map Lombardia all zones Key
From October 2011 all areas labelled A, B, C1 and C2 on the map above have permanent LEZs.
The main LEZs are marked in red, around Milan (covering Como and Varese), Mantova, Brescia, Bergamo, Pavia, Cremona, and Lodi. These have have individual pages (see left hand menu), grouped around the main city and town.
For the other LEZs in smaller comunes, see the Lombardia outside the cities page, or here to search them.
There is also an additional Ecopass scheme in Milan.

Dates and Standards - Region
Minimum emissions standard for entry:
  • Diesel vehicles Euro 3 – or have a particulate filter meeting at least Euro 3(PM)
  • Petrol 4-wheel vehicles Euro 1
  • 2-stroke motorcycles & mopeds Euro 1
The ban on 2-stroke motorcycles and pre-Euro 1 mopeds is valid for the whole of the Lombardia region.

Vehicles affected - Region
All vehicles, including motorcycles.

LEZ Road sign - Country
Has signs similar to this, a banned vehicle sign with the requirements below:
Palermo Low Emission Zone Road Sign

Need to Register? - Region
None

Foreign Vehicles? - Region
Are enforced

Retrofitting allowed? - Country
Yes

Retrofitting Summary - Country
Retrofitting a certified diesel particulate trap allows entry to the LEZ. For more information see our retrofitting section.

Hours of operation - Region
From 15th October 2011 all Lombardia LEZs are permanent – 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Enforcement - Country
Manual

Penalty - Region
75-450€ (Regional Law 24/2006, art. 27, paragraph 11)

National Scheme - Country
There is currently no Italian national scheme, but regional as well as individual city schemes.

Exemptions: Regional
Lombardia exemptions

Local name for an LEZ - Region
Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL) or Limitazioni della circolazione, the general name for road restriction, also used for LEZs.

Further Information - Region
A list of all the municipalities and zones can be found here.
Note: Stezzano (BG) while outside A1 is included in the LEZ regulation, and Santa Maria Hoe (LC) and Montevecchia (LC) within the A1 areas are not included.
Download a list of exempted roads for all Lombardia LEZs (except Como, which is separate).

Websites for further information
Lombardia Region
The Milan Automobile Club, with information on grants available.
 
 
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