Vehicle Access Regulations when Travelling Abroad

Major cities across Europe have implemented special areas that restrict certain vehicles in a bid to reduce pollution. These are known as Low Emission Zones or LEZs. Other countries have taken it a step further, bring in Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZs) and Zero Emission Zones (ZEZs). These zones may affect your travel plans so we're going to outline the do's, don't's and must's when travelling in urban areas.

What are Low Emission Zones?

Low Emission Zones are special areas within urban spaces that regulate the most polluting vehicles by placing restrictions on when or if they can enter the zones. Some LEZs charge a fee for some vehicles to enter. 

Typically, zones are implemented in areas where air pollution is at harmful levels, often in city centres. LEZs improve the air quality and make it safer to breathe. 

Air pollution can not only lead to respiratory health problems, but in some cases of constant exposure, death. It has huge costs, in both health and money:

• Air pollution is responsible for 310,000 premature deaths in Europe each year
• Air pollution causes more premature deaths than road accidents
• The human health damage from air pollution is estimated to cost the European economy between £358bn and £662bn per year

Diesel emissions have been classified as carcinogenic (causing cancer) by the World Health Organisation.

Since 2000, air pollution is urban areas has been greatly reduced by the implementation of LEZs, and as petrol and diesel vehicles are phased out, we will see further reductions in harmful particles. 

Terminology

Before we get into the real grit, its important you know the jargon, so let's get into it.

For ease, we will collectively refer to all zones mentioned in this article as Low Emission Zones (LEZ).

Are any vehicles exempt from Low Emission Zones?

Not all Low Emission Zones are created equal, they all affect different vehicles and have different rules so check before you travel. However, LEZs are always based on Euro standards. For example, exempt vehicles entering London's ULEZ must be either 

• a petrol model meeting Euro 4 or better
• a diesel model meeting Euro 6 or better
• an EV or plug-in hybrid

What are Euro Standards?

The EU 'Euro' Standards is a scale used to rate the emissions of a vehicle. Introduced in 1992, Euro 1 was the first standard to be used and it saw all new vehicles fitted with catalytic converters. You can find out more on the RAC website.

*The sixth and current incarnation of the Euro emissions standard was introduced on most new registrations in September 2015. For diesels, the permitted level of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) has been slashed from 0.18g/km in Euro 5 to 0.08g/km. A focus on diesel NOx was the direct result of studies connecting these emissions with respiratory problems. To meet the new targets, some carmakers introduced Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) or Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR).

Euro 7 emissions standard

**The Euro 7 emissions standard is due to implemented in July 2025 after a provisional framework was agreed upon in December 2023. The standard will affect all new cars made and driven in Europe and the UK. The Euro 7 standards are effectively a single set of rules for any vehicle, regardless of whether it runs on petrol, diesel, hybrid, alternative fuels, or electricity. It will also see the tightening of rules surrounding:

• ammonia - now understood to be a major air pollutant
• formaldehyde - a carcinogenic gas, known to cause nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia
• brake and tyre dust - now known to be toxic, causing inflammation of lung tissue and affecting the body's ability to protect against harmful bacteria

Car manufacturers will be required to fit sensors into all new cars to detect engine faults that may cause a vehicle to rise above the Euro 7 standard. 

EVs and plug-in hybrids will also be subject to battery durability and performance checks to ensure they retain their charge capacity and performance at specified levels.

Road signage

It's important you pay attention to road signage when approaching cities and large towns as they will give you information on LEZ. 

Austria

Austria has a number of schemes in place but they currently on apply to HGVs. 

Belgium

There is a draft framework for national Low Emission Zones in Belgium. You don't need stickers but foreign vehicles do need to register in advance. You can do this online (watch out for fraudulent websites selling invalid stickers). Registration is free of charge. 

Low emission zones are in force in 

• Antwerp
• Brussels
• Ghent
• Wallonia Region

There are also a number of car-free, pedestrian-only and time-sensitive zones in many of the major cities. Its worth familiarising yourself with these so you don't end up in a sticky situation! Emergency Air Pollution Schemes also operate in most major cities which could affect your vehicle. Make sure to pay attention to road signage.

Bulgaria

Sofia operates a WLEZ between 1 December - 28 February, affecting all vehicles.

Czech Republic

Although the Czech Republic has, for a long time, been planning the implementation of Low Emission Zones in its major cities, nothing has yet been introduced. Currently, all regulations only affect HGVs.

Denmark

Denmark has a national framework of Low Emission Zones which affects diesel vehicles. Currently, LEZs are in force in:

• Aalborg
• Aarhus
• Copenhagen & Frederiksberg
• Odense 

Diesel cars and vans older than Euro 5 (registered before 2015) can only enter these cities if they have been fitted with a particulate filter. Motorhomes and campervans with nine seats or less (incl drivers seat), older than Euro 5 (registered before 2011) need to register before entering. Separate rules apply for motorhomes weighing over 3.5t.

Finland

Finland only has one Low Emission Zone in Helsinki that only applies to HGVs. 

France

Being such a large country with many major cities, it comes as no surprise that France has many schemes in place and these vary widely from city to city. You will be required to purchase and display a Crit'Air sticker - these are mandatory for French and foreign vehicles and cost about €3,70. Again, be careful of fraudulent websites. 

There are low emissions zones in: 

• Aix-Marseille-Provence
• Bordeaux
• Clermont-Auvergne-Métropole
• Grenoble
• Lyon
• Nancy
• Greater Paris
• Saint-Etienne
• Lille
• Montpellier
• Nice
• Reims
• Rennes
• Rouen
• Strasbourg
• Toulouse

There is also a ZEZ in Greater Paris, limited traffic zones in Grenoble and Nantes and Emergency Air Pollution Schemes in most major cities which could affect your vehicle. Make sure to pay attention to road signage.

Germany

Germany has a national framework of low emissions zones that affect all motorised vehicles except motorcycles. 

There are Low Emission Zones in over 80 cities in Germany. Find the full list here. 

Windscreen stickers are mandatory, these can be purchased at TÜV stations or online, although they are often pricier online.

Greece

Athens and Thessaloniki are the only cities in Greece to have LEZ schemes in force, though the latter only affects HGVs. Greece operates an odd/even registration plate system meaning that vehicles are allowed to enter restricted zones on alternate days depending on their number plate.

The LEZ in Athens doesn't affect foreign vehicles for the first 40 days but if you plan on staying longer than this, make sure you follow all rules.

Hungary

Hungary currently has no LEZ in force

Ireland

Ireland currently has no LEZ in force.

Italy

Rules and regulations vary widely throughout Italy. Each province has its own schemes so check before you travel to see if your vehicle is affected. 

Most major cities will have LEZs in force, many also have Winter Low Emission Zones (WLEZs) in place during the colder months.

Latvia

Latvia currently has no LEZ in force.

Netherlands

Low emissions zones in the Netherlands only apply to diesel vehicles. There are LEZs in all major cities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht, as well as car-free zones in most cities and large towns.

Norway

Norway's LEZ scheme operates on a toll system which applies on motorways and in some cities including Bergen, Kristiansand and Oslo. Bergen and Oslo also have Zero Emission Zones in place.

Toll cost will depend on how polluting your vehicle is deemed to be, with older, more polluting vehicles paying more. EVs and plug-in hybrids are not exempt.

Poland

Poland is currently preparing to implement schemes across its three major cities. A LEZ in Warsaw is due to come into force from 1st July 2024. In Wroclaw, a LEZ will be implemented from 2025. A LEZ in Krakow was due to come into force from 1st July but has been postponed with no new date announced.

Portugal

Lisbon is home to Portugal's only LEZ. The zone only operates weekdays between 07.00 and 21.00.

Romania

Romania currently has no LEZ in force.

Slovenia

Slovenia currently has no LEZ in force.

Spain

Over 15 of Spain's major cities have LEZs in place including Barcelona, Cordoba, Granada, Madrid and Seville. You must purchase and display an Emissions sticker in your windscreen, you should also register your vehicle. Stickers can be purchased in post offices, government offices and online.

EVs and plug-in hybrids are exempt but must still register.

Sweden

Sweden has a national framework on Low Emission Zones but this only affects HGVs and buses. However, Stockholm is the exemption, as cars are affected by this scheme. From 1st July 2022, the minimum standard allowed to access the city is Euro 6 (registered after 2015). Stockholm will also be implementing a ZEZ, affecting cars and motorhomes, from 31st December 2024. To enter this zone, your vehicle will need to be at least Euro 6 or an EV.

Switzerland

Whilst Switzerland doesn't currently have any LEZ in force, it does have a number of car-free mountain resorts including:

• Bettmeralp
• Braunwald
  
• Gimmelwald
  
• Mürren
  
• Riederalp
  
• Rigi
  
• Saas-Fee
  
• Stoos
  
• Wengen
  
• Zermatt
  

United Kingdom

There are around 17 cities in the UK that have implemented LEZs. They include:

• Aberdeen
• Bath
• Birmingham
• Bradford
• Brighton
• Bristol
• Dundee
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• London (also ULEZ, ZEZs and tolls)
• Newcastle
• Norwich
• Nottingham
• Oxford (also ZEZ)
• Portsmouth
• Sheffield
• York

Low Emission Zones are also known as Clean Air Zones. Stickers are not needed but foreign vehicles will need to register. If a vehicle fails to meet the standard needed for admission, they can pay to enter. 

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