Low emission zone Amsterdam

Important!

Amsterdam has four environmental zones: Amsterdam ZEZ A10, Amsterdam ZEZ City, Amsterdam ZTL Coaches, Amsterdam ZTL Truck

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Amsterdam ZEZ A10 - Netherlands

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 09-10-2008

Type of environmental zone: Permanent, 24 hours a day

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle type: car (M1), bus (M2, M3), van (N1), truck (N2,N3)
Fuel type: diesel
Euro standard: 0-3 (M, N1), 0-5 (M2,M3,N2,N3)

Fines: 70 € - 250 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The low emission zone covers the area within the A10 motorway, including north of the river Het IJ. The A10 is not part of the Low Emission Zone. Excluded within the A10 are: Coenhaven, Vlothaven, northern side of Mercuriushaven, access to RAI congress centre, northern bank opposite Coentunnel.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: City of Amsterdam
Phone: 0031 20 624 1111
Apply for exemptions (for Dutch residents only): https://ontheffingen.amsterdam.nl/publiek/

Exemptions: Concrete mixer, Fire brigade, Military, Mobile cranes, Vintage car older than 40 years, Police car, Circus caravan, Disabled vehicle (registration/application necessary), Showcar for e-g. fairs (registration/application necessary) and Sweeper

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Amsterdam ZEZ City- Netherlands

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2018

Type of environmental zone: Permanent, 24 hours a day

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle type: motorcycle (L1)
Fuel type: all except electric
Date of first registration: < 01.01.2011

Fines: 65 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The entire area within the A10 motorway is part of the low emission zone. In addition, it includes the following city districts: Nieuw Sloten to A4, Nieuw-West to Akerdijk and Lijnderdijk, the port area Westpoort to Ruigoord, IJburg in the east, Zuidoost and Driemond in the southeast.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: City of Amsterdam
Phone: 0031 20 624 1111
Apply for exemptions (for Dutch residents only): https://ontheffingen.amsterdam.nl/publiek/

Exemptions: Vintage car older than 30 years (registration/application necessary)

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Amsterdam ZTL Coaches - Netherlands

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2024

Type of environmental zone: permanently valid, 0:00h - 24:00h

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: Bus (M3) > 7.5t

Fines: 110 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The area concerns the city center, within the inner city ring S100. An exception applies to the Weesperstraat, Valkenburgerstraat and Kattenburgerstraat.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: City of Amsterdam
Phone: 0031 20 624 1111
E-Mail: touringcar@amsterdam.nl
milieuzone@amsterdam.nl

Exemptions: Vintage car older than 40 years, Disabled vehicle (registration/application necessary) and Public bus

Name of the environmental zone: Environmental zone Amsterdam ZTL Truck - Netherlands

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-01-2024

Type of environmental zone: permanently valid, 0:00h - 24:00h

Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Vehicle class: Bus (M3) > 7.5t

Fines: 110 €

Area/extension of the environmental zone: The area concerns the city center, within the inner city ring S100. An exception applies to the Weesperstraat, Valkenburgerstraat and Kattenburgerstraat.

Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: City of Amsterdam
Phone: 0031 20 624 1111
E-Mail: touringcar@amsterdam.nl
milieuzone@amsterdam.nl

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. 

What is a Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ)?

ZEZ stands for "Zero Emission Zone", which in German means "Null-Emissions-Zone". A ZEZ is a specific area in a city or region where only zero-emission vehicles are allowed. This means that only electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and other alternative-powered vehicles that emit no pollutants are allowed in these zones.

The introduction of ZEZs is part of an effort to improve air quality in cities and regions and reduce the impact of air pollution on residents' health. By restricting access to these zones by vehicles with high emissions, air quality is improved.

Some cities and regions have already begun implementing ZEZs, while others have planned to do so in the near future. Examples of cities that have planned ZEZs include London, Madrid, and Paris.

It should be noted that the introduction of ZEZs not only improves air quality, but also helps to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a way to support the transportation transition by encouraging the use of electric vehicles and other zero-emission vehicles.

What is a traffic restricted zone (ZTL)?

A ZTL (Italian: Zona a Traffico Limitato) is a specific area in a city or region where vehicle access is restricted or limited in order to reduce traffic and emissions. These zones are often established in historic centers of cities or in residential areas to improve the quality of life for residents and reduce noise and exhaust pollution.

In a ZTL, for example, there may be bans on driving certain types of vehicles, such as older diesel vehicles, or restrictions on access at certain times of day. It may also be necessary to have a special permit or parking pass to drive in these zones.

Access to a ZTL is usually controlled via electronic monitoring systems, such as cameras or induction loops. Vehicle owners who violate the rules risk heavy fines.

The introduction of ZTLs has led to a reduction in traffic volumes in many cities.

Do I need stickers or registrations?

No. Here you do not need to buy a sticker or apply for registration. You only have to follow the rules of entry.


Our Green-Zones App helps you to avoid penalties.

Unfortunately there are no exact street signs known. Therefore it is difficult to know when you are in the environmental zone.


Our Green-Zones App helps you to avoid penalties.

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?