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Low Emission Zones in Belgium

3 Low Emission Zones

Lees in het Nederlands →

Overview

Belgium operates three Low Emission Zones (Lage-emissiezones, LEZ) in its largest cities: Antwerp, Brussels, and Ghent. Each zone has its own set of rules, registration requirements, and enforcement systems, though they share the common goal of reducing air pollution from road traffic.

Antwerp and Ghent are managed by the Flemish region and follow a coordinated timetable, while Brussels operates an independent system covering all 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region. Foreign-registered vehicles must register online before entering any of these zones. Enforcement is carried out through a network of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras.

Regulations

Each Belgian LEZ has its own access criteria based on vehicle fuel type and Euro emission standard. The rules are progressively tightened over time, with diesel vehicles facing stricter requirements than petrol vehicles.

Antwerp & Ghent (Flemish LEZ): Currently require at least Euro 5 for diesel and Euro 2 for petrol vehicles. Diesel Euro 4 vehicles may purchase a day pass. The Flemish Government will evaluate whether to tighten these rules in 2027.

Brussels: As of 2026, Euro 5 diesel and Euro 2 petrol vehicles are no longer permitted. The Brussels LEZ follows a phased timetable aiming to phase out all diesel cars by 2030 and all petrol cars by 2035. Fines are €350 for non-compliant vehicles, €150 for unregistered foreign vehicles (even if compliant), and only one fine per vehicle per quarter is issued.

Electric and hydrogen vehicles are exempt in all three zones. Foreign vehicles must be registered online regardless of their emission standard.

Who must comply

The LEZ restrictions apply to passenger cars, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches, and heavy goods vehicles. The specific Euro standard requirements vary by zone and vehicle category.

Zones — 3

LEZ Antwerp
LEZ Antwerp
LEZ Brussels
LEZ Brussels
LEZ Ghent
LEZ Ghent

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register my foreign vehicle for each Belgian LEZ separately?
Antwerp and Ghent share a common registration system managed by the Flemish region, so one registration covers both. Brussels has its own separate registration system. You must register for each system individually before entering.
How much are the fines for driving in a Belgian LEZ without permission?
In Brussels, the fine is €350 for a non-compliant vehicle and €150 for an unregistered foreign vehicle. In Antwerp and Ghent, fines are €150 for non-compliance. In Brussels, only one fine per vehicle per three-month period can be issued.
Can I buy a day pass if my vehicle does not meet the LEZ requirements?
In Brussels, you can purchase a day pass for a non-compliant vehicle. In Ghent, day passes and temporary permits are also available for vehicles that do not meet the standard. Antwerp offers similar options. The number of day passes per year is limited.
Are the LEZ rules the same in all three Belgian cities?
No. While Antwerp and Ghent follow a similar Flemish framework, each city has its own specific timetable and conditions. Brussels operates independently with its own rules that are generally stricter, especially for motorcycles and the long-term phase-out of combustion vehicles.
Does the Brussels LEZ include the Ring Road (R0)?
No. The Ring Road (R0) and certain access roads to transit car parks are excluded from the Brussels LEZ. However, the LEZ covers the entire area of all 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region within the Ring.

Check your vehicle compliance

Use our API to instantly verify if your vehicle can enter the Low Emission Zones in Antwerp, Brussels, and Ghent.

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