From the 1st of January 2020, Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent have increased their measures to ensure better air quality in their city centres. The access conditions to the low emission zones have become stricter.
Brussels: across the entire territory of 19 municipalities
In Brussels, the low emission zone (LEZ) extends across the entire territory of 19 municipalities in the Region. A few exceptions are, however, provided for access to the ring. Over 300 signs are displayed to inform drivers. Since the 1st of January, the rules have become stricter: for diesel vehicles, only those meeting the Euro 4 standard are still authorised to circulate, for other types of vehicles, the Euro 2 standard remains applicable this year. However, until the 31st of March, Euro 3 diesel vehicles will only be given a warning. Fines will only be issued for breaches from the 1st of April onward.
The fine will be set at 350 Euros. You can, however, purchase a pass costing 35 Euros per day to be able to drive a priori unauthorised vehicles in the LEZ, with a maximum of 8 passes per year.
You will find comprehensive information about the LEZ in Brussels as well as a very useful tool for checking whether your vehicle is still permitted, on the website: https://lez.brussels/
Antwerp: stricter regulations
The city of Antwerp has also adopted stricter regulations since the 1st of January 2020: access to the LEZ is limited to diesel vehicles meeting the Euro 5 standard at a minimum and to other vehicles starting from Euro 2 standard. For vehicles that do not meet these standards, passes lasting one week, one month, four months or a year can be purchased. As in Brussels, a day ticket costing 35 Euros (maximum of 8 tickets per year) will allow you to occasionally drive a priori unauthorised vehicles.
In Antwerp, the low emission zone extends across the entire city including inside the E34-E19 bypass.
You will find comprehensive information about the LEZ in Antwerp as well as a very useful tool for checking whether your vehicle is still permitted, on the website: https://lez.antwerpen.be
Ghent: Euro 5 standard in the city centre
Ghent has also tightened access conditions to its LEZ since the 1st of January 2020: access is now limited to diesel vehicles meeting the Euro 5 standard at a minimum, and to other vehicles meeting at least the Euro 2 standard.
Various passes and day tickets (maximum of 8 per year) can also be purchased.
You will also find comprehensive information on the LEZ in Ghent as well as a very useful tool to check whether your vehicle is still permitted, on the website: https://stad.gent/nl/mobiliteit-openbare-werken/lage-emissiezone-2020