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In practice: Everything you need to know about the LEZ in the Brussels-Capital Region.

LEZ In practice page zone
LEZ In practice Impact section

Please note

Expected effects of the Low Emission Zone on cars and air quality in the Brussels-Capital Region (.pdf)

Low Emission Zone Assessment 2019 Report (.pdf)

Low Emission Zone Assessment 2018 Report (.pdf)

How will the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) impact air quality?

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) helps to reduce road transport emissions by gradually banning the most polluting vehicles from the Brussels-Capital Region.

The first results of the LEZ are encouraging. In just two years, 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 2019 evaluation report.

In the medium term, air quality is expected to improve across the Region 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.

Our health is at stake

Various studies by the World Health Organization (WHO) have highlighted the significant health impacts of poor air quality.

Indeed, pollutants from road transport are causing an increase in:

  • Respiratory disorders and conditions (including asthma, for example),
  • Eye and nasal irritation,
  • Coughing and bronchitis,
  • Cardiovascular diseases,
  • Risk of stroke, heart disease and lung cancer.

The elderly, children and the sick are the most vulnerable.

According to the latest report from the European Environment Agency: in 2016, Belgium recorded 7,600 premature deaths from exposure to particulate matter, 1,600 premature deaths from exposure to nitrogen dioxide and 180 premature deaths from ozone exposure (source : EEA report 2019) The European Environment Agency estimates that pollutant emissions from engines cause 68,000 premature deaths in Europe yearly.

By prohibiting access to the most polluting vehicles in cities, we are helping to improve air quality for all, which is why the conditions for access to the LEZ will gradually become more restrictive over time.

What are the boundaries of the LEZ in Brussels?

The LEZ affects all 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region. The Ring and access roads to transit car parks are excluded.

Several ‘Park and Ride’ (P+R) transit car parks on the periphery of the Brussels-Capital Region are accessible to vehicles that do not meet LEZ access criteria: the Stalle, Ceria-Coovi, Lennik and Kraainem car parks. These car parks are a solution because they allow you to park your car safely and reach the city centre quickly by public transport. Combining modes of transport is an ideal way to travel in Brussels for residents, commuters and visitors who want to avoid traffic jams and parking costs in the city.

In Neerpede, some roads leading to the Ring are also excluded:

  • Chaussée de Mons (only between the regional boundary and the Ring entrances and exits).
  • Boulevard Henri Simonet
  • Rond-point Henri Simonet
  • Avenue Joseph Wybran (only between the Rond-point Henri Simonet and the regional boundary)
  • Route de Lennik (only between the regional boundary and Rond-point Henri Simonet).

In Zaventem, the car park at Brussels Airport is accessible for which you can book a place online in advance. From the airport, you can then travel elsewhere in the Region by bus, train or taxi.

How do I recognise the LEZ?

LEZ Zone Box

Nearly 300 road signs have been installed at the regional boundary to identify the LEZ. 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.

Please note

Old diesel vehicles are the most affected because they emit more pollution, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx and black carbon) which affect air quality and health.

  • The rules for accessing the LEZ also apply to vehicles registered abroad. Non-Belgian vehicles must register for access to the LEZ.
  • Vehicles that run on gas (CNG and LPG) are considered to be petrol vehicles.

  • Hybrid vehicles rely on the same schedule as the fuel for the vehicle. Petrol hybrids therefore follow the petrol schedule, and diesel hybrids the diesel schedule.

  • Check your vehicle to see if it can be used in the Brussels LEZ!
Check my vehicle

Which vehicles are affected?

The regulation concerns the following vehicles (with the exception of exempted vehicles), whether they are registered in Belgium or abroad:

  • Cars (vehicle category M1 on the registration document)
  • Minibuses and coaches (vehicle category M2 and M3 on the vehicle registration document)
Standard 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Euro VI / 6
Euro V / 5
Euro IV / 4
Euro III / 3
Euro II / 2
Euro I / 1
No EURO standard
Standard 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Euro VI / 6
Euro V / 5
Euro IV / 4
Euro III / 3
Euro II / 2
Euro I / 1
No EURO standard

A vehicle may or may not be driven in the LEZ depending on its Euro standard, fuel type and category.

How can I find out what is the EURO standard of my vehicle?

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 and its category, whether or not it is permitted to access the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

Is the Euro standard indicated on the vehicle registration document.If the Euro standard is not shown on the vehicle’s registration document, the first registration date will be taken into account. This is also shown on your vehicle’s registration document.

Emission standard
Passenger cars (category M1)
van (category N1 – weight I)
Minibuses/vans for personal transport (category M2) or van (N1), with II or III.
Buses/coaches (M3)
Euro1/I
01/07/1992 – 31/12/1996
01/10/1994-31/12/1997
01/10/1994-31/12/1997
01/10/1993-30/09/1996
Euro2/II
01/01/1997-31/12/2000
01/01/1998-31/12/2000
01/01/1998-31/12/2001
01/10/1996-30/09/2001
Euro3/III
01/01/2001-31/12/2005
01/01/2001-31/12/2005
01/01/2002-31/12/2006
01/10/2001-30/09/2006
Euro4/IV
01/01/2006-31/12/2010
01/01/2006-31/12/2010
01/01/2007-31/12/2011
01/10/2006-30/09/2009
Euro5/V
01/01/2011-31/08/2015
01/01/2011-31/08/2015
01/01/2012-31/08/2016
01/10/2009-31/12/2013
Euro6/VI
01/09/2015-31/08/2019
01/09/2015-31/08/2019
01/09/2016-31/08/2020
01/01/2014-…
Euro6d-TEMP
01/09/2019-31/12/2020
01/09/2019-31/12/2020
01/09/2020-31/12/2021
Euro6d
01/01/2021- …
01/01/2021-….
01/01/2021-…

If your vehicle is a used vehicle, the Euro standard is indicated on the Car-Pass. It is also possible to check the EURO standard of your vehicle using the COC code (.pdf) on the vehicle’s certificate of conformity. If the vehicle’s Euro standard is different from the one indicated on your vehicle registration document or in the simulator, you can request a correction of your data.

If your vehicle does not meet the access criteria of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), you can buy a day pass and have access to the Brussels-Capital Region.

How much is the fine?

Failure to comply with the Brussels LEZ access criteria is subject to a fine of €350.

Each further offence will cost the same amount. However, a fine may only be imposed for a new infraction if it takes place at least 3 months after the previous.
Example: I drove on 1 May with a prohibited vehicle. I get a first fine. I will receive a second fine if I drive this vehicle after 31 July. This may be repeated several times.
This approach allows the vehicle owner to take the necessary steps to avoid having to use their vehicle. Over a year, a maximum of 4 fines per vehicle can therefore be imposed.

In 2020, it is expected that fines for new vehicles covered by the restrictions will only be sent from April 2020. A 3-month transition period has been established, during which only warnings will be sent to offenders.

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 Taxation.

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.

How are the checks carried out?

Checks will be carried out based on the vehicle licence plate using fixed and mobile cameras. A network of 191 cameras has been set up gradually throughout the region and at the regional boundary. These cameras are used in compliance with legislation on the use of private data and images.

They are used both for the purposes of the Low Emission Zone and by the police. They have been implemented as part of the video-protection platform of the Brussels-Capital Region Prevention and Security project.