Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Prague 1 - Czechia
Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-04-1999
Type of environmental zone: Permanent, from Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm for trucks only, 24 hours for buses
Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable
Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: truck (N2, N3), bus (M2, M3)
Total weight: > 3.5 t
EURO standard: 0-3
Badge/registration/authorisation: EURO 4-6 entry only with registration. See Special features.
Fines: 60 - 100 €
Area/extension of the environmental zone: The zone covers the whole area of the administrative district of Prague 1. The district is situated in the historical city centre, on both side of the Vltava.
Special features: Retrofitting permitted : yes (particulate matter)
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 4 must be fulfilled.
Short-term permit (for 8 days) and long-term permit (for 1 year) Authorisation: The application must include the following information and be submitted in writing : - name or company
- reason for travelling
- journey destination
- date
- vehicle type
- license plate number
Following documents are required:
- a copy of the full vehicle registration document (pages containing the license plate number and the technical data)
- construction vehicles - a copy of the contract, building permit or investor's confirmation
- in case of relocation: a copy of the order form
Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Information currently unavailable
Exemptions: Information currently unavailable
Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Prague 2 - Czechia
Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-05-2006
Type of environmental zone: Permanent, 24 hours a day
Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable
Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: truck (N2, N3) Total weight: > 6 t EURO standard: 0-3
Badge/registration/authorisation: EURO 4-6 entry only with registration. See Special features.
Fines: 60 - 100 €
Area/extension of the environmental zone: The zone covers almost the entire area of Prague 1 and Prague 2 - it extends between the streets Vodičkova - Lazarská - Myslíkova - Masarykovo nábřeží - Resslova and Karlovo náměstí.)
Special features: Retrofitting permitted : yes (particulate matter)
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 4 must be fulfilled.
Short-term permit (for 8 days) and long-term permit (for 1 year) Authorisation: The application must include the following information and be submitted in writing : - name or company
- reason for travelling
- journey destination
- date
- vehicle type
- license plate number
Following documents are required:
- a copy of the full vehicle registration document (pages containing the license plate number and the technical data)
- construction vehicles - a copy of the contract, building permit or investor's confirmation
- in case of relocation: a copy of the order form
Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Information currently unavailable
Exemptions: Information currently unavailable
What is an environmental zone (LEZ/ZFE/ZBE)?
An environmental zone is a specific area in a city or region that is protected by regulations and restrictions to improve air quality. These zones are usually established to reduce emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which are responsible for poor air quality in many cities.
In these zones, certain rules apply to vehicle access based on vehicle emissions. This may include imposing driving bans on certain types of vehicles, such as older diesel vehicles, or requiring the creation of an eco-label for vehicles. This mark, which must be affixed to the vehicle, confirms that the vehicle complies with the applicable emission regulations and is therefore authorized to drive in the low emission zone.
The introduction of low emission zones has led to a significant improvement in air quality in many cities. It has been observed that emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter have been reduced in these zones, thereby improving the health of residents. The number of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases also decreased.
However, it is not just the introduction of environmental zones alone that can lead to an improvement in air quality. It is necessary to take other measures to reduce emissions overall. These include, for example, promoting electromobility, increasing energy efficiency and creating alternative means of transportation such as bicycles and public transportation.
Environmental zones are an important tool to improve air quality in cities and regions and reduce the impact of air pollution on the health of residents. They are used in many European countries and have shown to have a positive effect on air quality.
Environmental zones are also known in other countries as Environmental Zones, Clean Air Zones (England), Miljøzone (Denmark), Miljözon (Sweden), Lavutslippssone (Norway), Alacsony Kibocsátási Övezet (Hungary), Zona ambientale (Italy), Umweltzonen (Germany), Milieuzones (Netherlands), ZFE - Zone à Faibles Émissions (France) and Lage-emissiezone (Belgium), ZBE - Zona de baixes emissiones (Spain).
Winter zone: There are environmental zones which are only seasonally active or have stricter rules for certain months. This means that these zones are active, for example, from September 15 to April 15 of the following year. Outside of this time, no or less strict driving restrictions apply and you can drive freely. One country with many winter zones is Italy.
Good to know...
All current driving bans and further information are available in our Green-Zones App.
Bicycle instead of car - Paris in transition
A study by a public foundation has shown that more than one in ten journeys in Paris and the surrounding area are made by bicycle. This is a remarkable increase compared to 14 years ago, when less than one in thirty journeys were made by bike. Paris seems to have been endeavouring to change its transport policy for years. With more cycle paths and cycle lanes, fewer car parks and higher parking charges, the city is trying to promote cycling and reduce car traffic. But what does this mean for the existing low emission zone?
Anti-pollution zones for classic cars?
The world of classic cars is always on the move. On the one hand, there is nostalgia and the desire to keep the history of the automotive industry alive. On the other hand, there is the need to adapt to the constantly changing conditions and regulations regarding the environment and sustainability. A recent development in this context is the new "Villes et villages d'accueil des véhicules d'époque" label, which was launched by the French Federation of Historic Vehicles (FFVE). But what exactly is behind this label and what does it mean for the environmental zones?