NL
More and more European cities are enforcing strict environmental rules and low-emission zones. Without the correct environmental sticker you risk fines, or you may be banned from entering certain city centres altogether. Paris, Berlin, Milan, Brussels: preparing for these rules will save you hassle and costs on the road.
Why environmental zones and compulsory stickers?
European cities are struggling with air quality and want to reduce emissions. Their solution: low-emission zones where only cleaner vehicles are allowed. These zones are indicated by special road signs and are automatically monitored by cameras. You need an environmental sticker that shows how clean your car is. The rules differ from country to country and from city to city.
‘ Enter a low-emission zone without a sticker and you risk a fine of 100 euros. ’
Germany: green Umweltplakette compulsory
More than 50 German cities have an Umweltzone. Think of Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne. Within these zones you may only drive with a green environmental sticker. You stick this to the inside of your windscreen.
Applying for a green sticker for Berlin
The German environmental sticker is divided into three categories: red, yellow and green. Only green stickers give access to all environmental zones. The colour depends on your car’s emission class, which is stated on your registration certificate.
- Apply for the sticker via approved outlets such as TÜV, DEKRA or online via specialised services
- Costs range between 5 and 15 euros
- You need your registration certificate
- The sticker is valid indefinitely and remains linked to the vehicle
- Check in advance whether your car can get a green sticker: petrol cars from Euro 1 upwards, diesels from Euro 4 upwards
If you enter an environmental zone without a sticker, you risk a fine of 100 euros. You can also buy the sticker at border crossings, petrol stations and some town halls in Germany itself.
France: Crit’Air vignette for cities such as Paris
France uses the Crit’Air system with six categories. Electric cars receive category 0, the cleanest combustion engines category 1, and so on up to category 5. In cities such as Paris, Lyon, Grenoble and Strasbourg there are zones where only certain categories are allowed.
Ordering a Crit’Air vignette for Paris
You order the vignette online via the official government website certificat-air.gouv.fr. Other sites often charge more for the same sticker.
- The cost is around 3.70 euros including postage
- You will receive the sticker at your home address by post within a few weeks
- Enter your registration number and vehicle details on the website
- The sticker is permanently valid for that vehicle
- Stick it clearly visible on the inside of your windscreen
Note: since 2021 there has been a permanent ban on Crit’Air 4 and 5 within the ring road in Paris. During smog episodes the rules are tightened and sometimes only Crit’Air 0 to 2 are allowed into the city. Always check this in advance via the city’s app or website.
Italy: ZTL zones and environmental restrictions in Milan
Italy uses ZTL zones: Zona a Traffico Limitato. These are areas with restricted access for traffic, often in historic city centres. Milan adds Area B to this: a large area where older diesels and petrol cars are not welcome.
Rules for Area B in Milan
Area B in Milan is a large environmental zone that covers most of the city. The zone is active on working days from Monday to Friday between 7:30 and 19:30. There are no restrictions at the weekend.
- Diesels up to and including Euro 4 are banned
- Petrol cars up to and including Euro 0 are banned
- Electric and hybrid cars are always allowed
- Cameras automatically check your number plate when you enter
Consequences if you do not have the right permissions
If you enter Area B without authorisation, you will receive a fine of at least 80 euros. For repeated offences this can rise to more than 300 euros. The fine arrives by post, often weeks later. Lodging an appeal is difficult and time-consuming.
For the ZTL zones in Milan’s historic centre you need a day pass. You can buy this online or at authorised outlets. Always check whether your hotel is inside a zone and ask about exemptions.
‘ Brussels has had a low-emission zone since 2018, but you do not need a physical sticker. ’
Brussels and Belgium: low-emission zone without sticker
Belgium works differently. Brussels has had a low-emission zone since 2018, but you do not need a physical sticker. The system automatically checks your number plate via cameras and links it to a database.
How does the Brussels low-emission zone work?
The zone covers all 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region. The system checks whether your car meets the minimum emission standards.
- Petrol cars must comply with at least Euro 2
- Diesels must comply with at least Euro 5 (from 2023)
- Vehicles running on LPG (autogas) and CNG (natural gas) follow the same rules as petrol
- Electric cars are always allowed
You do not need to apply for anything if your car meets the standards. The system recognises foreign number plates. Do you not meet the requirements? Then you will receive a fine starting at 150 euros. Check in advance via lez.brussels whether your vehicle has access by entering your registration number.
Switzerland: no general environmental sticker, but local restrictions
Switzerland does not have a nationwide environmental sticker system like Germany or France. Some cities do apply local restrictions, especially during smog episodes or in specific areas.
Most cars are allowed into Swiss cities without a special sticker. Do note: some cities such as Zurich and Bern impose parking restrictions on older diesels. Check this with the local authorities if you plan to park in the city centre for longer.
Practical preparation tips by destination
Every city break requires preparation. Check at least two weeks before departure which rules apply at your destinations. That way you avoid arriving without a sticker or having to look for an alternative route.
- Make a note of your emission class: this is shown on your registration certificate under “emission code” or “Euro standard”
- Order stickers well in advance: delivery can take 2 to 4 weeks
- Keep confirmation emails if you have not yet received the sticker
- Download apps such as Crit’Air (France) or Green-Zones (Europe-wide) for up-to-date information
- Check whether your hotel is inside a zone and ask about parking alternatives
- Consider park-and-ride locations outside the zone if your car does not comply
‘ The investment of 10 to 20 euros per sticker is nothing compared with the fines and frustration of being refused entry. ’
Several countries: multiple stickers needed
Planning a road trip through several countries? Then you may need several stickers. A German Umweltplakette is not valid in France, and a Crit’Air vignette has no value in Italy. Each sticker is linked to its own national system.
Keep track of which stickers you need and order them all in advance. This avoids unpleasant surprises at the border or in the first city. The investment of 10 to 20 euros per sticker is nothing compared with the fines and frustration of being refused entry.
Always check the latest updates
Environmental rules change regularly. Cities tighten requirements or expand zones. What was allowed last year may already be banned this year. So shortly before departure, check the current status via official websites or apps.
Pay particular attention to seasonal tightening. During heatwaves and smog, cities such as Paris and Milan apply temporarily stricter rules. These announcements appear at short notice via local media and official channels.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find much more information about preparation, routes and regulations for your city break. From toll roads to parking strategies: discover how to plan smartly and avoid any surprises on the road.
Frequently asked questions
Beforehand, you can find out which environmental zones apply at your city break destination by consulting the local authority’s website and looking for terms such as ‘green environmental zone’, ‘purple environmental zone’ and ‘zero-emission zone’. Then check using your registration number on www.milieuzones.nl (cars/vans) or on www.opwegnaarzes.nl (vans and lorries) whether your vehicle is allowed into the city. Shortly before and during your trip, pay attention to the new road signs on the access roads, which show which vehicles are excluded. Do these checks a few days before departure and again shortly before arrival, because rules and zones can be tightened further up to 2030.
First check whether the city you are visiting has an environmental zone or zero-emission zone and which rules apply there. Then check using your registration number on www.milieuzones.nl (for diesel cars and vans) or www.opwegnaarzes.nl (for vans and lorries) whether your vehicle is allowed into the zone. If necessary, apply for an exemption in good time or arrange for a zero-emission or cleaner vehicle that is always granted access. Take a printout or digital confirmation of your registration or exemption with you as proof during your trip.
If your car does not meet the environmental requirements, you are not allowed to drive into certain environmental or zero-emission zones and, after a warning, you risk a fine if you do so anyway. You can often park your car on the outskirts of the city in a park-and-ride (P+R) facility or multi-storey car park and continue your journey by tram, bus or metro. Another comfortable option is a taxi (preferably electric) or shared transport such as car-sharing schemes, shared bikes and shared scooters. If you plan to visit cities more often, it may be worthwhile to switch (for part of the journey) to train plus local public transport or an electric (hire) car.
Yes, there are platforms that provide an overview of environmental zones in Europe, such as the website of **Urban Access Regulations in Europe (urbanaccessregulations.eu)**, where you can look up rules and restrictions for each city and country. In addition, **Green-Zones.eu** offers a map and app with European environmental zones, mainly focused on Germany and neighbouring countries, including the required vignettes and stickers. Some apps, such as **ViaMichelin**, and certain navigation systems also integrate environmental zones into their route planning, so that you can take these rules into account when planning a road trip. It is wise to consult several sources, because the rules change regularly.