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Low emission zone Budapest

Important!

Budapest has seventeen environmental zones: Budapest Pesterzsébet, Budapest Dél-Pest 1, Budapest Dél-Pest 2, Budapest Csepel, Budapest Csepel-Csillagtelep, Budapest Dél-Buda, Budapest Kelenvölgy, Budapest Buda, Budapest Hegyvidék, Budapest Észak-Buda 1, Budapest Észak-Buda 2, Budapest Észak-Pest, Budapest Kelet-Pest, Budapest Pest, Budapest Közép-Pest, Budapest City (winter), Budapest City (anti-smog)

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Pesterzsébet - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

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)
Weight: > 3.5 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The zone includes the district of Pesterzsébet, except the road Béga utca.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Dél–Pest 1 - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

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 (N3)
Weight: > 12 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The zone Dél–Pest 1 is bordered by the road to Ferihegyi airport, Üllői út, Könyves Kálmán körút, Mester utca, Máriássy utca, Soroksári út, Vágóhíd utca, Lechner Ödön fasor, Boráros tér, the Danube river, Soroksári, the branch of the Danube and the city border.
The internal zone Dél-Pest 2, the M0 motorway, the M5 motorway section (between Nagykőrösi út and the city border), the main road Gyáli út (the section between Határ út and Könyves Kálmán körút) and the road Nagykőrös út (the section between Határ út and Großmarkttor) are not affected by the rules of the zone Del-Pest 1.

In large parts of the environmental zone, the rules do not apply to the local inhabitants. They are not affected by the access rules.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Dél–Pest 2 - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

Type of environmental zone: Permanent, from Monday to Sunday, 12 am to 5pm + 7pm to 10 am

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: truck (N2, N3), Agricultural and forestry vehicles (T)
Weight: > 3.5 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The rules apply to the eastern district of Del-Pest, with the exception of some special areas and roads. See the map of the zone.

However, in some parts of the environmental zone of Del-Pest 2, the rules do not apply to local inhabitants. This applies in particular to the following roads: Fedezék utca (from Ráday Gedeon utca to Gyöngyvirág utca), Hofherr Albert utca (from Nagykőrösi út to Hofherr Albert utca 3), Jegenyefa sor, Katona József utca (from Hofher Albert utca to Temesvár utca), Lakatos út (from Nefelejcs utca to Jegenyefa sor), Liget utca, Nefelejcs utca (from Lakatos út to Csillag utca) and Temesvár utca.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Csepel - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

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 (N3)
Weight: > 12 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The zone covers the entire municipality of Csepel, with the exception of the zone of Csepel–Csillagtelep.

Free for residents are the areas of the Csepel Factory and the Danube border region. The Danube border region is bordered by Budafoki út, Csőgyár utca, Corvin út, Védgát utca, Gubacsi hídfő and Soroksári Duna ág. Also free for residents are the roads Gyepsor utca, II. Rákóczi Ferenc út (from the city border to Posztógyár utca), II. Rákóczi Ferenc út, Betű utca, Magyar utca, Karácsony Sándor utca, Mansfeld Péter utca, Posztógyár utca, Csepeli út (from the city border to Lámpás utca), Duna utca, Lámpás utca, Mag utca, Popieluszko utca (from Duna utca to Sás utca) and Teller Ede utca (Csepeli Gerincút).

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Csepel–Csillagtelep - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

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)
Weight: > 3.5 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The zone covers the entire territory of the district of Csepel–Csillagtelep.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Dél–Buda - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

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 (N3)
Weight: > 12 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The borders of the environmental zone are the ones of the district of Dél–Buda. Excluded from the zone are the M0 and M6 motorways, the section of the main road no. 6 at the city border to the M0 and the inner zone Kelenvölgy.

For residents of the environmental zone of Dél–Buda, many areas and roads are excluded from the bans. These are:
Balatoni út (from M0 to Szabadkai utca), Bányalég utca, Budafoki út (from Dombóvári út to Hunyadi János út), Budaörsi út (from Egér út to the city border), Campona utca, Egér út (M1–M7 motorway section to Kőérberki út), Dombóvári út (from Budafoki út to Vízpart utca), Dózsa György út (from Balatoni út to Kamaraerdei út), Fonó utca, Gyár utca, Hauszmann Alajos utca (from Budafoki út to Szerémi út), Háros utca, Hengermalom utca (from Szerémi út to the Danube river), Hunyadi János út, Kőérberki út (from Egér út to Repülőtéri út), Rákóczi híd, Repülőtéri út, Nagytétényi út (from Jókai Mór utca to Vágóhíd utca and from Bányalég utca to the city border), Szabadkai út (section Balatoni út 20–22) , Szerémi út (from Hengermalom utca to Hauszmann Alajos utca), Vilmos utca Balatoni út (from M0 to Szabadkai utca), Bányalég utca, Budafoki út (from Dombóvári út to Hunyadi János út), Budaörsi út (from Egér út to the city border), Campona utca, Egér út (M1–M7 motorway section to Kőérberki út), Dombóvári út (from Budafoki út to Vízpart utca), Dózsa György út (from Balatoni út to Kamaraerdei út), Fonó utca, Gyár utca, Hauszmann Alajos utca (from Budafoki út to Szerémi út), Háros utca, Hengermalom utca (from Szerémi út to the Danube river), Hunyadi János út, Kőérberki út (from Egér út to Repülőtéri út), Rákóczi híd, Repülőtéri út, Nagytétényi út (from Jókai Mór utca to Vágóhíd utca and from Bányalég utca to the city border), Szabadkai út (the section Balatoni út 20–22) , Szerémi út (from Hengermalom utca to Hauszmann Alajos utca), Vilmos utca (section 6 of the main road and Nagytétényi út).
Except the junction of the main road no. 6 (from section M0 to Hunyadi János út).

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Kelenvölgy - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

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), Agricultural and forestry vehicles (T)
Weight: > 3.5 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The borders of the zone are made up of the entire district of Kelenvölgy, bounded by Egér út in the west, Ady Endre út in the south and the railway line in the north and east.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Buda - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

Type of environmental zone: Permanent, from Monday to Sunday, 07 am to 6pm + 10pm to 05 am

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: truck (N2, N3), Agricultural and forestry vehicles (T)
Weight: > 3.5 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The borders of the environmental zone correspond to those of the district of Buda. The only exception is the internal protection zone, where no motorised traffic is allowed at any time.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Hegyvidék - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

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 (N3)
Weight: > 12 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The borders of the environmental zone correspond to those of the district of Hegyvidék. The only exception is the internal protection zone, where no motorised traffic is allowed at any time.

Residents are free to use the M1-M7 main road between the city border and Egér út and Budaörsi út (from the city border to Egér út).

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Észak–Buda 1 - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

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 (N3)
Weight: > 12 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The environmental zone is located in the district of Észak–Buda. The only exceptions are the internal protection zone, where no motorised traffic is allowed at any time, and the zone of Észak-Buda 2 with its different rules.
The Árpád Bridge, the roads Batthyány utca, Bécsi út (between Vörösvári út and the city border), Rákóczi utca, Szentendrei út (from Vörösvári út to Rákóczi utca) and Vörösvári út are also excluded from the environmental zone.

Moreover, in large parts of the environmental zone of Észak-Buda 1, the rules do not apply to the local inhabitants. They are not affected by the restrictions of the environmental zone.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Észak–Buda 2 - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

Type of environmental zone: Permanent, from Monday to Sunday, 07 am to 6pm + 10pm to 05 am

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: truck (N2, N3)
Weight: > 7.5 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The zone is located in the south-eastern district of Észak–Buda.
The zone of Észak-Buda 2 is bordered by the following roads: Szépvölgyi út, Zöldlomb utca, Csatárka út, Kapy út, Csévi út, Kelemen László utca, Hűvösvölgyi út, Szilágyi Erzsébet fasor, Széll Kálmán tér, Margit körút, Bem József utca, Bem rakpart, Árpád fejedelem útja, Lajos utca, Széll Kálmán tér, Margit körút, Bem József utca and Tölgyfa utca.

Exemptions for residents are not allowed.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Észak–Pest - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

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 (N3)
Weight: > 12 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The zone in the district of Észak–Pest is bounded in the eastern part by the Danube river, the main roads Árpád–híd, Róbert Károly körút, Hungária körút, Kerepesi út, Veres Péter út, Szabadföld út and the city border.
The M0 and M3 motorways (between Hungária körút and the city border) and the main roads Árpád híd and Róbert Károly körút are exempted from the rules of the zone.

In large parts of the environmental zone Észak–Pest, the rules do not apply to the local inhabitants. They are not affected by the access rules.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Kelet–Pest - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

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 (N3)
Weight: > 12 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The zone is located in the district of Kelet–Pest, bordered by the roads Szabadföld út, Veres Péter út, Kerepesi út, Hungária körút, Könyves Kálmán körút, Üllői út, Ferihegyi repülőtérre vezető út, Üllői út and the city border.
The environmental zone of Kelet-Pest does not affect the protection zone close to the centre (no motorised traffic allowed at any time) and the northeast adjacent environmental zone of Dél-Pest 2.

In large parts of the environmental zone Kelet–Pest, the rules do not apply to the local inhabitants. They are not affected by the access rules.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Pest - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

Type of environmental zone: Permanent, from Monday to Sunday, 07 am to 6pm + 10pm to 05 am

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: truck (N2, N3), Agricultural and forestry vehicles (T)
Weight: > 3.5 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The environmental zone of Pest is located directly in the centre of the district of Pest along the Danube and will be extended to the city area Újlipótváros, on the other side of the Danube island of Margitsziget. The main road Szent István körút, which separates the two parts of the environmental zone, is excluded from the environmental zone of Pest.
Exemptions for residents are not allowed.

Within the environmental zone of Pest, between Széchenyi Lánchíd (Chain Bridge) and Erzsébet híd (Elisabeth Bridge), there is a large protected area in which no motorised traffic is permitted at any time.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest Közép–Pest - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

Type of environmental zone: Permanent, from Monday to Sunday, 07 am to 6pm + 10pm to 05 am

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: truck (N2, N3)
Weight: > 7.5 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-1
Badge/registration/authorisation: Entry EURO 2-6 only with registration. See Special features.

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The environmental zone is located in the district of Közép-Pest and includes the environmental zone of Pest. The Vajdahunyad (Vajdahunyad vára) Castle lies on the western edge of the environmental zone of Közép-Pest, in a protected area in which no motorised traffic is permitted at any time.

The residents of the environmental zone of Közép-Pest have unlimited access to the following roads: Aba utca, Kőbányai út (from Könyves Kálmán körút to Kőbányai út 26), Mohács utca (from Vágány utca to Szabolcs utca), Szabolcs utca (from Mohács utca to Aba utca) and Vágány utca (from Róbert Károly körút to Mohács utca).

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Entry is only with a separate registration possible. At least the Euro standard 2 must be fulfilled.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapesti Közlekedési Központ (BKK)
1075 Budapest
Rumbach Sebestyén utca 19-21
phone +36 1 325 5255
Fax: +36 1 235 1040
email: teherforgalom@bkk.hu

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest City (winter) - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2008

Type of environmental zone: Permanent, from 02.11.2020- 01.03.2021, Saturday to Sunday 22:00pm to 22:00pm

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: truck (N2, N3), Agricultural and forestry vehicles (T)
Weight: > 7.5 t
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-2

Fines: 97 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The entire city of Budapest is affected by the rules of the environmental zone of the Budapest City (winter) from November to March.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
If a public holiday falls on Monday or Friday during the period of traffic restrictions in the environmental zone, then the driving bans also apply from Friday 8 am to Monday 10 pm, depending on the day concerned. This applies, for example, to 25.12.2020, 25.12.2023, 26.12.2020, 26.12.2022, 26.12.2025, 01.01.2020, 01.01.2023, etc.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Nemzeti Közlekedési Hatóság
Pf 102
1389 Budapest 62. posta

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Military, Police car, Sweeper, Waste collection vehicle, Tow truck and Ambulance

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Budapest City (Anti-smog) - Hungary

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-10-2019

Type of environmental zone: Zone of air protection, depending on weather conditions and activated between 6 am and 10 pm if the pollution levels (e.g. > 50 µg/m³ for particulate matter or NOx) have been exceeded.
The zone is activated between 10 am and 6 pm if the ozone limit values have been exceeded.

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Vehicle class: Motorcycle (L), Car, Motor home (M1), Van (N1), truck (N2, N3), Agricultural and forestry vehicles (T)
Fuel type: diesel, Petrol, LPG
Euro standard: 0-4

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Information currently unavailable

Fines: 475 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: In case of activation due to bad air values (smog), the temporary zone of the city of Budapest City (temporary) is valid for the entire city, with the exception of the following transit routes:
M0, Budapest közigazgatási határa-Nagykovácsi út-Szépjuhászné útja-Budakeszi út-Budapest közigazgatási határa, továbbá Budapest közigazgatási határa-Nagykovácsi út-Nagyrét utca-Máriaremetei út-Hidegkúti út-Budapest közigazgatási határa.

Special features: Retrofitting permitted : no
Public transport is free of charge when a smog alarm is activated.
Electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles and monovalent CNG vehicles are always allowed to enter the zone.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Budapest Főváros Önkormányzata
cím: 1052 Budapest, Városház utca 9-11.

Exemptions: Disabled vehicle, Fire brigade, Patient transport, Military, Police car, Veterinary surgeon, Sweeper, Public bus, Waste collection vehicle, Taxi, Tow truck and Ambulance

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. 

What is an air protection zone (ZPA)?

A ZPA (French: Zone de Protection de l'Air) is an area established by the government to improve air quality and reduce the impact of air pollution on public health. These zones are usually established in urban areas or near large industrial facilities or power plants that are considered major emitters of air pollutants. Air protection zones exist in different countries with different characteristics and are also called anti-smog zones.

ZPA zones do not apply permanently, but are only active during bad weather and when air pollution levels are high. In ZPA zones, stricter rules apply to emissions from industrial facilities, power plants, and other large emitters of air pollutants such as transportation. 
These rules are designed to reduce emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which are responsible for poor air quality in many cities. These pollutants can affect health, especially the respiratory system and lungs, and can even lead to fatal cardiovascular disease. 

The government regularly monitors and reviews air quality in ZPA zones and, if necessary, takes further action to reduce emissions and improve air quality. This may include wide-ranging bans on certain vehicles, environmental badges, and/or Euro standards.

 

Good to know...

All current driving bans and further information are available in our Green-Zones App.


Attention low emission zones in Belgium: Up to 350 euro fine!

Belgium has drastically tightened its low emission zones for vehicles in major cities such as Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent since 2022, with further restrictions planned for 2025. Anyone driving in these cities must expect a fine of up to 350 euros. This regulation applies not only to local drivers, but also to foreign drivers. In all three cities, there is an environmental zone in which certain vehicles are not allowed to drive. Cameras monitor compliance with the rules by recording and comparing the licence plates of vehicles.

Electric cars and particulate matter: how do they go together?

Air pollution has been with us since the beginning of industrialisation. It is omnipresent, especially in cities. However, with technological progress and the relocation of factories away from city centres, air quality has improved in most wealthy countries. A major source of air pollution, the internal combustion engine, seems to be slowly being replaced by electric cars. But are electric cars really the environmentally friendly alternative they appear to be?