Road traffic is one of the biggest emitters contributing to harmful pollution levels in Belgium. To combat this public health concern, several cities have introduced Low Emission Zones (LEZ). However, the system can be confusing as rules differ per region.
LEZs are marked-out areas which certain vehicle categories are not allowed to enter – or only under certain conditions – because they are too polluting. Drivers entering an LEZ with a vehicle that is not permitted, or who do so without the necessary authorisation, will be fined. The start and the end of the zone are also always demarcated with specific traffic signs. The LEZ is valid 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
However, the similarities end here. The access rules and banned vehicle categories differ across Belgium's three regions.
Brussels-Capital Region
Brussels introduced its LEZ in 2018. It covers all 19 municipalities (see map) excluding the Ring Road (R0) and certain roads providing access to Park and Ride transit car parks (P+R). Vehicles that do not meet the LEZ access criteria can be parked here, and people can reach the city centre by public transport.
Some 300 signs are placed at Brussels' regional borders to indicate the LEZ. As soon as drivers enter the zone, they must comply with the access criteria.
This sign indicates that you are entering a low-emission zone. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
The LEZ applies to all cars, vans and buses/minibuses registered in Belgium or abroad. Currently, vehicles that run on the following are not allowed to drive in the LEZ:
- Diesel with Euro standards 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4
- Petrol/LPG/CNG and LNG with Euro standards 0 and 1
The admission requirements are stricter for diesel cars because they are more polluting. Check if your vehicle is permitted in the zone on the LEZ website by entering the date and country of first registration and the vehicle registration plate.
People with non-compliant vehicles can buy a day pass for €35 to enter Brussels without being fined (a maximum of 24 passes per year per vehicle). Prior registration of the vehicle is required for this. Some people (such as those with disabilities) are exempt from the rules (find out more here).
Drivers accessing the LEZ without a pass or authorisation will be fined €350, but this amount can only be collected once per quarter, meaning the maximum fine is €1,400/year.
The fictional burial ceremony of the LEZ by citizen's collective Bruxsel'AIR denounces the proposal to postpone the next phase of the low-emission zone for the Brussels Region in September 2024. Credit: Belga/ Jean Van Driessche
Monitoring by Brussels Environment showed the LEZ has significantly improved air quality in Brussels. Between 2018 and 2023, NOx emissions fell by 36% with a constant traffic volume. PM2.5 particles fell by 31%, and black carbon by 65%, compared to reductions of 30%, and 62% respectively between 2018 and 2022.
The rules were due to tighten as part of the next LEZ phase at the start of 2025. This would have banned Euro 5 diesel and Euro 2 petrol cars (category M1), vans (N1), buses, coaches (M2, M3) and lorries (N2-N3). It would have also banned diesel two-, three- and four-wheelers (category L) as well as Euro 2 and older petrol motorbikes and scooters (L3-L5).
However, a proposed – and heavily-criticised – ordinance postponed the tightening of the LEZ by two years – to 1 January 2027.
Flanders
Antwerp and Ghent are currently the only Flemish cities with LEZs. Access criteria apply to passenger cars (category M1), buses and coaches (M2 or M3), camper vans (M1, M2 or M3), vans (N1), lorries (N2 or N3), and agricultural or forestry vehicles (category T) that run on diesel, petrol, gas, bioethanol, or hybrid fuel. Vehicles registered abroad must also comply.
Mopeds or motorbikes are, for now, unconditionally allowed into LEZs, as are electric vehicles and vehicles powered by hydrogen.
Antwerp
Here, the LEZ includes the city centre and Linkeroever. Currently, vehicles that run on the following are not allowed to drive in the LEZ:
- Diesel with Euro standards 0, 1, 2 and 3 (with and without soot filter)
- Petrol/LPG/CNG and LNG with Euro standards 0 and 1
Euro 5 and 6 diesels and Euro 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 petrol cars are granted entry. Check if your vehicle is allowed to enter the LEZ in Antwerp via the city's website.
Antwerp's LEZ. Credit: Belga/ Dirk Waem
Vehicles with foreign number plates (except Dutch vehicles) must be registered once, free of charge, to avoid a fine, even if they meet the standards. People who want to drive in Antwerp's LEZ with a vehicle that meets the diesel Euro 4 standard must purchase a permit. Owners of vehicles that do not meet the criteria must purchase a LEZ day pass (€35).
Again, certain vehicles can register to be exempt from the rules (for example, those used by or for people with a disability or vintage cars older than 30 years).
People entering the LEZ with a non-compliant car will be fined €150. Doing so again within 12 months of the first fine will result in a second fine of €250. Finally, committing another LEZ offence within 12 months will result in a fine of €350. Any subsequent fines within 12 months will be €350.
Ghent
The city centre of Ghent is a LEZ (see map here). Similarly to Brussels, there are various park-and-ride sites. Currently, vehicles that run on the following are not allowed to drive in the LEZ:
- Diesel with Euro standards 0, 1, 2 and 3 (with and without soot filter)
- Petrol with Euro standards 0 and 1
Euro 5 and 6 diesel and Euro 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 petrol cars are granted entry (until 31 December 2025, rules may change hereafter). Check if your vehicle is allowed to enter Ghent's LEZ via the city's website.
People with a car that has a foreign number plate (except Dutch vehicles), a better Euro standard, who drive vehicles adapted to a disability or a classic car over the age of 30, among others, must register their vehicle once for free. This registration is also valid in the Antwerp LEZ.
Drivers of a diesel vehicle with Euro standard 4 and several specific types of vehicles (for an emergency or ceremony, for example), can purchase a temporary permit. The permit is valid for one week (€25), one month (€50), four months (€130) or one year (€345), only in Ghent. Finally, if your vehicle is not allowed in the LEZ, you can purchase a LEZ day pass (€35 for all vehicles) up to 12 times per calendar year.
If your car is not permitted or you are driving an unregistered foreign vehicle, you will receive a fine of €150 per day.
Wallonia
Wallonia had planned to make the entire region a LEZ from the start of 2025. However, the Walloon parliament made a U-turn on this measure months before its introduction. Now, it is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026.
The access criteria will apply to passenger cars and motorhomes driving on diesel, petrol, LPG or CNG. Both diesel and petrol standards 0 to 3 will not be allowed in the region without permission (for disabled vehicles and vintage cars) or a day pass. Fines for drivers who violate these rules range from €150 to €350.
