The LEZ helps to reduce emissions by gradually banning the most polluting vehicles from the Brussels-Capital Region.
The first results of the LEZ are encouraging. In just six months, the number of older diesel vehicles on the road has fallen significantly and the quantity of NOx and PM2.5 emitted by cars on the road has also decreased. These results are detailed in the 2023 evaluation report.
In the medium term, air quality is expected to improve across the country due to the LEZ. Brussels Environment expects that air quality standards for NO2 will be met at all measuring stations in the Region between 2020 and 2025, as outlined in the study on the expected effects of the LEZ. This will improve the quality of life and the health of all Brussels residents.
Does the LEZ prevent global warming?
A distinction is made between greenhouse gas emissions such as CO2, which contribute to global warming, and fine particulate air pollutants, nitrogen oxides or ozone, which are harmful to human health. The purpose of the LEZ is to reduce emissions of fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants that have a negative impact on our health. The Brussels-Capital Region is implementing other measures to tackle greenhouse gases, such as grants to insulate housing.
However, the LEZ will also help to drive down CO2 emissions where people whose vehicle is subject to restrictions travel to Brussels other than by private car (on foot, by bicycle, public transport, shared vehicles). Moving away from private cars is an effective way of improving air quality, while taking action against climate change.
What other measures are being taken by the Region to improve air quality?
The Brussels-Capital Region Government is taking action in many areas of human activity that involve atmospheric pollutant emissions. This is why the Air Climate Energy Plan was adopted on 2 June 2016.
Besides the introduction of the LEZ, the plan also sets out measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, for enhanced air quality monitoring, the generation of energy from renewable sources, and for economic consumption patterns and product use.
Why reduce air pollution caused by road transport?
Road transport is responsible for air pollutant emissions which degrade air quality. In Brussels, road transport is the main source of emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) particles.
These emissions contribute to the deterioration of air quality. For example, in Brussels, concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceed the thresholds set by the European Union (for NO2) and recommendations by the World Health Organization (for PM2.5), which may result in health problems for the entire population.
Poor air quality is the cause of premature deaths and major health problems (respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, etc.) and especially affects the most vulnerable people, such as children and the elderly. In 2021, Belgium recorded 5,100 premature deaths due to exposure to particulate matter, 1,400 premature deaths due to exposure to nitrogen dioxide and 310 premature deaths due to exposure to ozone, according to the latest report from the European Environment Agency (2023).
Why do restrictions apply to the oldest vehicles?
On average, older vehicles emit more pollutants that are harmful to health (nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, etc.) than newer vehicles. This is why access to the LEZ is restricted according to the age of the vehicle.
Why are restrictions more stringent for diesel vehicles?
On average, diesel vehicles emit more pollutants (nitrogen oxides in particular) than petrol vehicles. The World Health Organization (WHO) classes exhaust gases from diesel engines as carcinogenic to humans because they contribute to an increased risk of lung cancer. For these reasons, access restrictions target primarily diesel vehicles.
What territory is covered by the LEZ and how to recognise it?
The territory of the LEZ affects all 19 municipalities across the whole of the Brussels-Capital Region. The Ring and access roads to transit car parks are excluded.
Nearly 300 road signs have been installed to identify the LEZ at the regional boundary. They indicate that you are entering or leaving the Low Emission Zone. You must only enter the LEZ with vehicles which comply with the access criteria.
The city of Antwerp has a LEZ since 01/02/2017 and since 01/01/2020, the city of Ghent has also a LEZ.
However, it is important to make some distinctions. The criteria to access the Flanders LEZ are not quite the same as those of the Brussels-Capital Region. You can find more information on low emission areas in Flanders on the Flemish Region website (operation, registration form for vehicles registered abroad, exemption application form, pass purchase form, etc.).
Do LEZs exist in other countries?
Many European countries have introduced a LEZ in their major cities. They can be found in most major German cities, and in the Netherlands and Italy. London has a LEZ, and Paris has just implemented the principal via CritAir stickers.
The Brussels Regional Public Tax Service (Brussels Taxation) uses certain data to ensure compliance with the LEZ rules. For more information, visit the Privacy page.
The regulation concerns (excluding exemptions) the following vehicles, whether they are registered in Belgium or abroad:
Cars (vehicle category M1 on the registration document).
Vans ≤ 3.5 tons (vehicle category N1 on the registration document).
Minibuses and coaches (vehicle category M2 and M3 on the vehicle registration document)
A vehicle may or may not be used in the LEZ depending on its fuel type, category and Euro standard. In certain cases, if the Euro standard is not shown on the vehicles registration document, the first registration date will be used.
You can check the compliance of your vehicle by entering the licence plate and the date of first registration, or by entering the vehicles technical data into the simulator:
What alternatives to the car are available to get around Brussels?
Cars are not the ideal means of transport in the Brussels-Capital Region. Apart from buying a day pass or having an exemption (granted under certain conditions), here are some other alternatives to using the car:
The Euro standard is a European environmental standard with which vehicle engines must comply. The higher the Euro standard of a vehicle, the lower its emissions. A vehicle’s Euro standard determines, according to the fuel it uses, whether or not it is permitted to access the low emission zone (LEZ).
Is the Euro standard shown on the vehicle’s registration document. If the Euro standard is not shown on the vehicle’s registration document, the first registration date will be used. This is also shown on your vehicle’s registration document.
It is also possible to check the EURO standard of your vehicle using the COC code (.pdf) on the vehicle’s certificate of conformity.
How can I find out the Euro standard of my vehicle if it is not indicated on my vehicle registration document?
If the Euro standard is not shown on the vehicle’s registration document, the first registration date will be used.If the Euro standard is not shown on the vehicle’s registration document, the first registration date will be used.
Am I eligible for an exemption and how can I apply for one?
Exemptions exist for certain types of vehicles.
Two types of exemption exist: those for which an application must be made to Brussels Taxation and those which are automatic and for which no action is required. Discover the different possible exemptions.
Important:
Once submitted, exemption applications may take up to 69 days from receipt of the application.
Please note that the vehicle owner may be fined if the vehicle is used within the low emission zone without confirmation of your application for exemption or if the vehicle does not meet the access criteria.
An applied-for exemption is valid for five years while an automatic exemption is valid for an unlimited period.
Can I apply for an exemption for someone else or can someone else apply for an exemption for me?
Yes To apply for an exemption, you will need the following documents:
Your identity card (if you are a Belgian national),
Vehicle registration document,
Any other document relevant to the application (depending on the exemption requested).
Registering your foreign-registered vehicle is free and automatic. To do so, you must complete the following registration form. You will need the vehicle registration certificate. For more information, visit the registration page.
Can I register the vehicle on behalf of someone else or can someone else register my vehicle for me?
Yes, you can register the vehicle on behalf of someone else. To register, you must be in possession of the vehicle registration certificate. Registration is free of charge and can be carried out via the electronic registration form. For more information, visit the registration page.
What payment methods can you used to purchase a day pass?
You can buy a day pass with Maestro, Bancontact, Visa or Mastercard.
What is a day pass and how can I buy one?
It is only necessary to purchase a day pass for vehicles which do not meet the LEZ access criteria (which cannot therefore be used within the LEZ).
A day pass costs €35 per day. The pass can be purchased in advance of entering the LEZ OR within the five days after entering the Low Emission Zone. A maximum of 24-day passes can be purchased per (calendar) year and per vehicle. The day pass is valid only for the calendar day for which it was purchased until 6 a.m. the following day.
To purchase a day pass, you need the licence plate number and the date of first registration. Vehicles registered abroad must first be registered for the LEZ before purchasing a day pass.
Can I buy a day pass for someone else or can someone else buy a pass for me?
Yes, you can buy a day pass for another person. To do this, the following information is required: The licence plate number, the date of first registration and last registration if the vehicle is registered abroad.
Can I exchange my day pass for use on another day?
No, it is impossible to change the usable date of a day pass. A day pass is non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
Can the day pass be reimbursed if I cancel my visit to the Brussels Region?
No, it is impossible to cancel the purchase of a day pass. A day pass is non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
Will your commercial vehicle soon no longer be allowed to drive in the Brussels-Capital Region's Low Emission Zone (LEZ)?
Take advantage of the low-emission mobility bonus from Brussels Economy and Employment to replace it!
The self-employed, micro, small and medium-sized businesses operating in Brussels can benefit from a grant of up to €16,000 for the purchase or lease of a new utility vehicle to replace one that can no longer be driven in the Region.
The premium can also cover the purchase and installation of a charging point.
For optimal performance when completing your formalities, we recommend that you use a computer with a Windows operating system and the Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers. If the problems persist, contact us via the form by selecting the "technical problem" category. Please attach a full screenshot of the issue you have encountered, with the date and time clearly visible, so that we can resolve it as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
My connection is disrupted and I don't know if my purchase of pass has been processed.
You can find the purchase information by simulating a day pass purchase. Also make sure you check if you receive a purchase confirmation email.
I bought a day pass and did not receive a confirmation by e-mail or on my screen.
Did you check your spam folder? If the confirmation is not here, please let us know by using our contact form and selecting "technical problem".
You can also check with your bank (PC Banking, etc.) if your day pass has been purchased. If this is recorded in your bank account, it means that the purchase has happened successfully and you do not need to buy another day pass.
Have you bought a second day pass for the same day? Contact us via our contact form by selecting "Day pass - I have already purchased one or more passes". We will handle your request as soon as possible.
I would like a receipt for my pass purchase (proof of purchase including professional fees).
With each pass purchase, you should receive a confirmation email that includes the details of your purchase. This email is your receipt.
It is not possible to buy a day pass because my vehicle has been registered only recently.
If you are unable to buy a day pass, contact Brussels Fiscalité. A staff member can help you identify the problem. Please attach a full screenshot of the issue you have encountered, with the date and time clearly visible, so that we can resolve it as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
For optimal performance when completing your formalities, we recommend that you use a computer with a Windows operating system and the Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers. If the problems persist, contact us via the form by selecting the "technical problem” category. Please attach a full screenshot of the issue you have encountered, with the date and time clearly visible, so that we can resolve it as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
My connection is disrupted and I don't know if my application for registration process has been processed.
You can find the purchase information by using the simulator. Also make sure you check if you receive a request confirmation email.
I made an error when entering my vehicle registration how can I correct this data?
To correct data sent following a registration, simply complete the form again. The new registration will automatically replace the information in the previous form. To register, visit the Registration page.
For optimal performance when completing your formalities, we recommend that you use a computer with a Windows operating system and the Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browsers. If the problems persist, contact us via the form by selecting the "technical problem" category. Please attach a full screenshot of the issue you have encountered, with the date and time clearly visible, so that we can resolve it as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
My connection is disrupted and I don't know if my application for exemption has been processed.
Make sure to check if you receive a request confirmation email.
I did not receive the postal mail with the answer to my application for exemption.
You can find out the status of your application via the link in the email confirming receipt of your application. It may take up to 69 days to process your application for exemption.
I would like to receive my mail in another language (FR or NL).
You can request that your email be sent in another language by contacting Brussels Taxation.
Failure to comply with the Brussels LEZ access criteria is subject to a fine of €350.
However, the Region limits the number of fines to a maximum of one every 3 months. Over a year, a maximum of 4 fines per vehicle can therefore be imposed.
Example: I drove on 1 May with a prohibited vehicle in the LEZ. I get a first fine. I will receive a second fine if I drive this vehicle in the LEZ from 1 August.
New vehicle categories will be affected from 2027, will I get a fine?
If you receive a fine and have difficulty paying it, you can request a payment plan. Your request for a payment plan must be made to Brussels Fiscality.
The terms and conditions to benefit from a payment plan are as follows:
Submit a reasoned request before the due date of the fine.
The maximum number of monthly payments is limited to 4.
You can submit your request via this form by selecting the "Payment plan for fines" option.
You can submit a complaint with your reasoning. It must be sent to the Brussels Taxation Administration within 37 days of the date on which the fine was sent.
