Belgian low emission zones explained
There are three low emission zones in Belgium, namely in the capital Brussels, as well as in Antwerp and Ghent. All three low emission zones are permanently valid. Vehicles need to be registered to enter. Belgian and also Dutch vehicles are exempt. These are entered directly into the register when the vehicle is registered. There are two different registrations for the three environmental zones. They also have different regulations.
For the city of Brussels, there is a registration that is valid for 3 years. But beware, this does not mean that you are allowed to drive in for 3 years. Registration is compulsory for category M vehicles, i.e. cars and buses, and vans, i.e. N1 vehicles. Medium and heavy trucks are exempt from registration in Brussels. So you don't have to register an N2 or N3 vehicle. Until the end of this year, diesel vehicles with Euro standard 4 are still allowed in Brussels. From 2022, diesel vehicles must have at least Euro standard 5 or 6. For petrol cars, the rules are currently less strict. Until the end of 2024, Euro 2 vehicles will still be allowed to enter the country; from 2025, petrol vehicles will need at least Euro standard 3.
For the Flanders region, where the environmental zones of Antwerp and Ghent are located, there is a separate registration. This is valid beyond 2027, depending on the vehicle type, fuel type and Euro standard of the vehicle. In Antwerp and Ghent, all vehicles in categories M and N are affected by the registration, i.e. cars and buses, as well as vans and trucks. So N2 and N3 trucks must also register here. Diesel vehicles with Euro standard 4 are already banned in the Flemish environmental zones. For petrol vehicles, similar rules apply as in Brussels.
Vehicle checks are carried out electronically in the Belgian environmental zones. When entering one of the three low emission zones, the number plate is scanned and checked in the register to see if there is a registration. The control is therefore very precise and a non-registered vehicle is almost always fined, which can be up to €350.
Entry with a vehicle that is already too old to be registered is only possible with an environmental ticket in the form of a day pass. This must be purchased directly from the respective city.
If you want to know more about the Belgian environmental zones, download the Green-Zones app or visit our website: https://www.green-zones.eu/en/low-emission-zones/belgium. You can get a registration for Brussels or Antwerp and Ghent in the online shop: https://www.green-zones.eu/en/products