If you’re planning to hire a car in Europe, it’s important to be aware of low emission zones (LEZs) and other clean air initiatives in European cities. As they are becoming more and more common it’s important you do your research on your destination before you arrive to avoid incurring any unwanted fees.
What is a Low Emission Zone (LEZ)?
A LEZ is an area where only vehicles that meet the emission standards can enter for free. Vehicles that don’t meet the required standard must pay a fee or in some circumstance they will not be allowed to enter at all.
Ultra low emission zones (ULEZ) are increasingly becoming a feature of European cities to improve the air quality in these spaces and reduce pollution.
Low emission zones are proven to reduce nitrogen dioxide NO2 concentrations by around 20%. They also reduce congestion as there are less cars on the road and noise pollution is also reduced from the lesser amount of cars.
There are more than 320 low emission zones in Europe; these are the main countries that utilize them:
United Kingdom
London introduced its ULEZ in 2019 which applies to vehicles that don’t meet Euro 4 (petrol) or Euro 6 (diesel) standards. Other UK cities like Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford and Glasgow have similar clean air zones (CAZ). Charges vary between £8 to £50 a day, depending on the vehicle you’re driving.
France
France operates a nationwide emissions classification system called Crit’Air which categorises vehicles from Crit’Air 0 (electric) to Crit’Air 5 (oldest and most polluting). To enter lots of French cities, vehicles must display a Crit’Air sticker on the windscreen.
In Paris, permanent LEZ applies to vehicles without Crit’Air 0-3 stickers; older diesel cars are banned. The capital is progressively tightening restrictions so make sure to check before you enter the LEZ.
Driving without the correct sticker can result in a fine of €135. If you’re renting a car, confirm that with the rental company what its emission rating is and make sure it is registered for Crit’Air before driving.
Belgium
Belgium has introduced LEZs in several major cities in order to target older diesel and petrol vehicles that don’t meet Euro emissions standards.
In Brussels, non-compliant vehicles face automatic fines if they enter without registration. Antwerp and Ghent also require online pre-registration Leven for hire cars and foreign vehicles. Rental companies should register the vehicle automatically but it’s still your responsibility to confirm this. Fines can be upwards of €150 and are automatically issued via number-plate recognition cameras.
Denmark
Denmark’s Low Emission Zones currently apply to larger cities including Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense. Since 2022, diesel cars have needed to meet Euro 6 standards to enter these zones. Petrol cars generally meet entry standards but double check this as fines can reach 12,500 DKK for non-compliance.
Germany
Germany was one of the first European countries to introduce LEZs and has one of the most established systems with over 50 German cities requiring a green Umweltplakette sticker for entry. Even if you have rented your car you must display this sticker and driving without it can result in €100 fines.
Italy
Italian cities have restricted zones known as Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTLs) which is one of the most complex low emission zone systems in Europe.
In cities like Rome, Florence, Milan, Bologna, Naples and Turin the ZTLs are camera controlled and active during specific hours. Milan has a Area C congestion charge and an Area B LEZ that bans older vehicles. Fines can exceed €100 so always double check with the rental company that the car you’ve hired can enter a ZTL.
The Netherlands
Dutch cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague restrict older diesel vehicles and by 2035 all major cities plan to allow only zero-emission vehicles in the city centres. Entering a restricted area with a non-compliant vehicle will lead to automatic fines from anywhere between €70 and €200 so make sure to check the city’s milieuzone before you travel.
Norway
Norway operates environmental toll systems rather than strict bans. Major cities like Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim charge higher tolls for high-emission vehicles. There are lower rates or zero rates for electric and hybrid models. Fines will apply for misclassified toll entries if the vehicle details are wrong.
Spain & Portugal
Spain is rolling out nationwide Zonas de Bajas Emisiones; major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valenica and Seville are the first to do so. Vehicles need a DGT environmental badge that is rated from 0 (electric) to B (oldest). In Madrid Cental and Barcelona ZBE only vehicles with valid badegs are allowed. You should double check the hire car’s badge status with the rental company or you risk facing a fine for non-compliance which start at around €90.
In Portugal, Lisbon and Porto have similar clean air zones with specific entry rules based on emissions.
Sweden
Sweden’s Miljözon (environmental zones) are found in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö and the country plans to expand this list by 2030. The zones are divided into levels based on vehicle emission classes. Class 1 applies to heavy vehicles; class 2 and 3 restricts diesel cars below Euro 6 and other older petrol cars.
How LEZs Affect Car Hire Drivers
When you hire a car in Europe it’s important to understand where you can drive and whether the car you’ve hired is actually compliant. If you enter a LEZ without paying a charge when you need to you may receive a fine. This will be passed on to the rental company and may mean you have to pay an additional processing fee. These fines tend to arrive weeks after the incident and usually can’t be contested after the car hire company has processed it.
Driving in Europe’s Low Emission Zones
When it comes to driving in Europe doing some research on the low emission zones will be really beneficial. Checking official city websites for up to date ULEZ or LEZ maps will be your best bet.
Make sure to always display the required stickers for your destination country and check whether you need to pre-register your car to avoid fines.
Excess Insurance Policies for Rental Cars
Car rental excess insurance policies can protect you from unexpected costs if your rental car is damaged or stolen. The rental company can charge you an excess of hundreds of pounds but with a policy from Cover4Rentals, you can reclaim that excess upon a successful claim. This means you’ll have total peace of mind when exploring Europe’s cities.
Final Thoughts
Whilst Europe’s shift towards cleaner cities is great for the environment but it does require an extra layer of planning for drivers. Whatever your reason for hiring a car, knowing how low emission zones work and protecting yourself with car hire excess insurance will help ensure your trip stays stress-free and will mean you’re not left out of pocket.
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