Ultra Low Emission Zones and other low emission zones in Europe

More and more cities in Europe are deciding to restrict traffic from vehicles that emit high levels of pollution. Although the Low Emission Zones (LEZ), Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) and Zero Emission Zones (ZEZ) introduced in these cities are governed by different rules, they all have one common goal: to improve air quality and protect the health of residents. To achieve this, they are actively working to reduce exhaust emissions and promote environmentally friendly forms of transport.

In this article, we will look at how different low emission zones work in European countries and how they affect the daily lives of drivers, including those in the TLS sector.

What are Low Emission Zones?

Low Emission Zones (LEZ), also known in Poland as clean transport zones (SCT), are designated urban areas where additional restrictions apply to vehicles with the highest exhaust emissions. Their main purpose is to reduce air pollution in cities and, consequently, improve environmental conditions for their residents.

Only vehicles that meet specific emission standards are allowed to enter these zones – these are usually European Euro standards, linked to the year of manufacture and emission class. Older vehicles, especially those with diesel engines without particulate filters, may be banned from entering or required to pay an additional fee. In the case of heavy goods vehicles, the regulations are even more stringent – Euro VI standards and the use of advanced exhaust gas cleaning technologies are often required. Unauthorised entry into low emission zones is subject to heavy fines.

In recent years, some cities have decided to introduce even stricter versions of these zones, such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and the Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ), where only low-emission, electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles are allowed. In some locations, the creation of LEZs has also been linked to additional investments in public transport, so that residents using public transport have access to more environmentally friendly forms of transport on a daily basis.

Low emission zones in European countries

Low emission zone systems are developing very rapidly across Europe, and are now being introduced not only in large cities, but also in many smaller towns. Depending on their location, they vary in scope, requirements and enforcement.

The United Kingdom and the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London

The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to introduce an advanced system of restrictions on the most polluting vehicles. Although there are many LEZs with different local regulations, e.g. in Birmingham, Glasgow and Bristol, and even a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) in Oxford, the main focus of drivers is on London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is currently one of the most restrictive low emission zones in Europe. Although it initially covered only central London, it now includes the entire area of 32 boroughs and the City of London, excluding the M25 motorway. It is in force 24 hours a day, all year round (except 25 December).

Only vehicles that meet strict emission standards – Euro 4 for petrol engines and Euro 6 for diesel engines – are allowed to enter the ULEZ. This applies to passenger cars, vans and minibuses (up to 5 t GVW). Motorcycles, mopeds, motor tricycles and quadricycles (category L) must meet at least the Euro 3 standard. Vehicles that do not meet the requirements are subject to a daily charge of £12.50 (as of June 2025). Penalties for non-payment can be as high as £180.

Heavy goods vehicles (over 3.5 t GVW) and buses, coaches and minibuses (over 5 t GVW) are not subject to the ULEZ charge but are covered by a separate system called the LEZ – Low Emission Zone. To avoid penalties, they must comply with the Euro VI emission standard (NOx and PM). Failure to comply with these requirements may result in charges ranging from £250 to as much as £2,000 per day.

In addition, heavy goods vehicles with a GVW of over 12 tonnes must have a HGV Safety Permit, which confirms their technical compliance with the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) – a standard that measures the driver’s visibility without the use of mirrors or cameras. If no permit is held, the penalty is up to £550.

It should also be remembered that every vehicle from outside the UK must be registered with Transport for London – even if it meets the required emission standards.

All the necessary and up-to-date information can be found on the Ultra Low Emission Zone website >>>.

Germany

Germany has been a European leader in the implementation of low emission zones, known as Umweltzonen, for many years. They are in force in many large cities, such as Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne and Stuttgart.

To enter a German low emission zone, a vehicle must have an appropriate environmental sticker (Umweltplakette) indicating its emission class – before 2025, these were available in three versions: green, yellow or red. Currently, only the green sticker (the highest level of compliance) allows legal entry into Umweltzonen. Yellow and red stickers have been withdrawn from sale and are no longer valid for driving in these zones.

Special regulations apply to heavy goods vehicles – they must meet at least the Euro IV standard (or Euro III with a particulate filter) to obtain a green sticker. This applies to both N2 and N3 vehicles (trucks) and buses (M2 and M3).

Failure to display a valid sticker will result in a fine of up to €100. Please note that additional local rules may apply in each city, so be sure to check them before entering.

List of German cities with Low Emission Zones >>>.

France

France has a system of environmental traffic zones ZFE (Zones à Faibles Émissions) based on Crit’Air stickers, which classify vehicles according to their emission levels. It is currently in force in several cities, including Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, Marseille, Lille, Nantes and Strasbourg.

Every vehicle must have the appropriate Crit’Air sticker – from 0 (electric vehicles) to 5 (oldest vehicles with combustion engines) – to drive in a low emission zone. For example, in the low emission zone in Paris, Crit’Air categories 3, 4 and 5 are prohibited. Failure to display a sticker or displaying a sticker that is not valid for a given zone will result in a driving ban or financial penalties.

Heavy goods vehicles are subject to the same rules – they must meet a specific emission class, which often excludes older trucks from city centres.

Due to recent events (May 2025), when the French parliament voted to abolish low emission zones, their future is uncertain. However, until new legislation is introduced, the current rules remain in force and drivers should follow local regulations.

Spain

Spain has implemented a mandatory system of low emission zones, known as ZBE (Zonas de Bajas Emisiones). From 2023, every municipality with more than 50,000 inhabitants (or 20,000 if pollution limits are exceeded) must establish such a zone. Although not all cities have complied with this obligation, many of them, including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Cordoba, have already launched ZBEs.

Entry into a ZBE zone depends on the class of environmental label assigned by the Spanish General Directorate of Traffic. There are five categories: from Cero, or 0 (the cleanest vehicles – electric and hydrogen), through ECO (including hybrids and gas-powered cars), to C, B and A. Category A includes vehicles that do not meet any standards and are subject to the most extensive restrictions – there is no label for this category.

In Madrid, from 1 January 2025, Spanish vehicles without a label (class A) will not be allowed to drive in the ZBE zone (with some exceptions). Vehicles registered abroad do not receive DGT labels but are subject to the zone’s standards. If they wish to obtain a permit to drive, they must register in advance. More information about the zone (in Spanish) can be found on its official website >>>.

In Barcelona, entry restrictions for older vehicles have been in place since 2020 and apply on working days between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Spanish vehicles must have a 0, ECO, C or B sticker. Vehicles registered abroad may enter the ZBE zone if they register online and meet the same emission requirements as Spanish vehicles, e.g. passenger cars must meet at least the Euro 3 (petrol) or Euro 4 (diesel) standard, and N2 and N3 vehicles must meet at least the Euro 4 standard. If a vehicle does not meet the standards, it can apply for a one-day entry permit (up to 24 per year). More information (in English) can be found on the Barcelona ZBE website >>>.

Belgium

There are three main low-emission zones in Belgium – in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent. All these cities have introduced strict entry rules based on European emission standards. The requirements for diesel vehicles are particularly strict – in most cases, only cars that meet the Euro 5 standard or higher are allowed, while petrol cars must meet at least the Euro 2 standard. From 1 January 2026, Wallonia will also join the LEZ zone.

In Brussels, the restrictions apply to passenger cars and vans (M1 and N1) as well as buses and coaches (M1 and M3). From 2027, the LEZ will also cover mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers and quadricycles, as well as heavy vehicles in categories N2 and N3. Current information on this subject can be found on the official website of the zone >>>.

To check whether a vehicle can enter the LEZ zone in Antwerp, simply enter its details on the official LEZ website – Stad Antwerpen >>>.

There is a separate website for the LEZ zone in Ghent, where you can check whether your vehicle is allowed to enter >>>.

Importantly, all vehicles registered outside Belgium and the Netherlands must register online, regardless of their emission class. Penalties for non-compliance range up to EUR 350.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, many cities have introduced milieuzones – environmental zones that restrict access for diesel vehicles that do not meet certain emission standards. These are located in Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Rotterdam and Arnhem, among others. Depending on the zone, only vehicles with a minimum Euro 4 standard (green zone) or Euro 5 standard (blue zone) are allowed to enter. Purple zones have been designated for heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches, where the Euro 6 standard applies.

In 16 cities, including Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Utrecht, zero-emission zones (ZEZ) have also been implemented for delivery vehicles and trucks. Only electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles are allowed to enter. For some new Euro 5 vehicles, a transition period until 2030 has been provided.

The standards for individual vehicles can be found in the tables available on the official Milieuzones website >>>.

Low emission zones in other European countries

In addition to the countries mentioned above, low emission zones have also been introduced in many other European countries. Some of the most important ones include:

• Austria: Tyrol (A12 motorway), Vienna, Styria, Lower/Upper Austria, Burgenland,
• Denmark: Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Aalborg, Odense, Aarhus,
• Norway: Oslo, Bergen,
• Sweden: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö,
• Finland: Helsinki,
• Portugal: Lisbon,
• Latvia: Riga,
• Bulgaria: Sofia,
• Hungary: Budapest,
• Italy: no LEZs, but ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) restricted traffic zones have been introduced in historic city centres.

Although not all of these zones have the status of classic LEZs, they share a common goal – to reduce exhaust emissions in city centres and promote cleaner forms of transport. Due to the fact that changes in local regulations are quite dynamic, each time we want to enter a low emission zone in Europe, it is necessary to check who is subject to additional restrictions.

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Clean transport zones in Poland

In Poland, low emission zones are known as clean transport zones (SCT). The first one has been operating in Warsaw since July 2024 – it covers the city centre and central districts, and emission requirements for cars and other vehicles will be tightened in stages until 2032. More information can be found on the website of the Warsaw City Road Authority >>>.

Krakow plans to launch its SCT in January 2026. The restrictions will be introduced in two stages, with initially milder requirements, followed by full Euro standards. Details can be found on the website of the Krakow clean transport zone >>>.

Other cities in Poland are also developing plans to implement SCTs, including Wrocław, Lublin, Gliwice, Rzeszów and Toruń. As each municipality is free to design its own zone, their scope and details may vary significantly.

Summary

Low emission zones are now becoming an increasingly common tool for European cities to combat air pollution. Although their form and rules vary depending on location, the goal remains the same: to reduce the negative impact of road transport on the environment and improve the quality of life for residents.

The dynamic development of this type of regulation, including the introduction of new special zones such as Ultra Low Emission Zones and Zero Emission Zones, shows that the future belongs to low- and zero-emission transport. For the TSL sector, this means keeping track of changes, adapting fleets and planning routes in line with local regulations. Companies that take these requirements into account early on will not only gain an operational advantage, but also a reputational one – as responsible and modern partners.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What does LEZ mean? What is a Low Emission Zone?

LEZ (Low Emission Zone) is an urban area where restrictions apply to vehicles that do not meet certain emission standards. Depending on local regulations, older vehicles may be banned from entering or required to pay an additional fee. The aim of these zones is to improve air quality in cities.

Do heavy goods vehicles also have to comply with the standards in LEZs?

Yes – in many European cities with low emission zones, heavy goods vehicles are subject to more stringent requirements, such as the obligation to comply with the Euro VI standard. In some zones, additional safety certificates are also required, such as the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) in London.

How can I check if my vehicle can enter the zone?

The easiest way is to visit the official websites of cities that have introduced low emission zones or their registration systems. There you can check whether your vehicle complies with the local standards.