Low Emission Zones (LEZ): legislation and impact on deliveries in Belgium
A low-emission zone (LEZ) is a designated urban area where vehicles with internal combustion engines are denied access based on their Euro standard. Belgian cities are introducing low-emission zones to meet air quality targets and reduce CO₂ emissions from urban traffic.
What is a low-emission zone?
A low-emission zone, also known as a LEZ, is an area in a city centre where environmental standards apply to vehicles. Vehicles that do not meet the Euro standard are barred from entering or are fined if they do so. The Euro standard is the emission class assigned by the manufacturer based on emission values measured at the time of production.
An LEZ differs from a driving ban. A driving ban applies to all vehicles during a specific period. An LEZ applies permanently, but only to vehicles that do not meet the minimum emission class.
LEZs in Belgium: Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent
Belgium has three cities with active low-emission zones. Each city has its own access rules and registration system. This means that a logistics partner delivering to all three cities must take into account three separate portals and sets of standards.
Brussels
Brussels introduced the LEZ on 1 January 2018 and thus has the largest zone of the three: the entire Brussels-Capital Region, comprising 19 municipalities and covering 161 km². Diesel vehicles with Euro 5 or lower are banned. Foreign vehicles must register via the Brussels Mobility vignette system.
Antwerp
Antwerp became the first city in Belgium to activate the LEZ on 1 February 2017. The zone covers the ring road and the city centre. Diesel vehicles with Euro 4 or lower are banned. Vehicles must be registered via the Antwerp LEZ portal.
Ghent
Ghent combines the LEZ with a traffic management plan within the R40. Diesel vehicles meeting Euro 4 or lower standards are banned. Ghent reviews the standards annually and periodically adjusts the limit values based on air quality measurements.
Euro standards by city
| Euronorm | Brussels | Antwerp | Ghent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro 3 diesel | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Euro 4 diesel | Prohibited | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Euro 5 diesel | Prohibited | Access | Access |
| Euro 6 diesel | Access | Access | Access |
Impact on last-mile delivery
Logistics partners providing daily deliveries in Belgian cities are adapting their fleets to comply with LEZ standards. Those who fail to do so in time risk not only fines but also operational disruptions in the busiest urban areas. There are three direct consequences for last-mile delivery:
- Accelerated replacement of diesel vans with electric vehicles
- Increased investment in charging infrastructure around urban hubs
- A shift towards hub-and-spoke models in which electric vehicles handle the last mile
Fines and registration for foreign vehicles
Foreign vehicles entering a Belgian LEZ without registration will automatically be fined via camera detection. The amounts vary by city: 350 euros in Brussels, 150 euros in Antwerp and Ghent. Registration is carried out via the city portals and is a one-off process per vehicle and city.
Developments towards 2030
Belgian LEZ legislation is constantly evolving. Brussels has raised the minimum standard for diesel vehicles to Euro 6 by 2025. Antwerp and Ghent are considering similar tightening of standards. By 2030, only zero-emission vehicles – fully electric or hydrogen-powered – will be permitted in the city centres of Belgium’s three major cities.
Find out how VPD operates in low-emission zones using zero-emission vehicles.