Autumn holiday guide: Environmental regions: Stickers are mandatory in these countries

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Summer vacation is over, autumn vacation is coming soon. As temperatures drop in autumn, many Swiss people go on city trips again. It’s not just the plane that’s popular for such a short trip; A car is also an ideal way to get there, especially for those close to home. When preparing for your trip, drivers must familiarize themselves with the traffic regulations for low emission zones that apply in many European cities. TCS has prepared an overview on this.

In France, peripheral zones (ZFE) have currently been established in the metropolitan areas of eleven cities: Paris, Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, Lyon, Strasbourg, Montpellier, Toulouse, Grenoble, Rouen, Saint-Étienne, Reims Nice and Côte d’Azure. like. More cities plan to install ZFE in the coming months and years. The “Crit’Air” certification classifies vehicles into one of six categories depending on their pollutant emissions. In order to be allowed to drive on the ZFE, the relevant vignette must be attached to the vehicle; otherwise you risk a fine of between 68 and 375 euros. If air pollution is particularly severe, temporary entry bans may also apply. For this reason, travelers should inform themselves about the situation in the relevant region just before each trip.

German environmental zones can only be entered by low-emission vehicles bearing an environmental label. The label is assigned to one of three categories (red, yellow and green) depending on the vehicle’s pollutant emissions. The green label is mandatory in 48 environmental regions in Germany. With a yellow tag, you can only drive in one zone. Environmental zones were created in the cities of Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne, Freiburg im Breisgau, Frankfurt, Berlin and Hamburg. The same regulations apply to electric vehicles as to all other vehicles. Those who enter the surrounding areas without a sticker will face a fine of 105 euros.

In recent years, “Zone a Traffico Limitato” (ZTL) has been introduced in many Italian cities, including Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Pisa, Rome and Verona. The zones are marked with prohibition signs indicating the type (partial or full restriction) and exceptions. The rules vary greatly from region to region. Navigation systems may not always show these areas. If you want to travel to a hotel in ZTL by car, you must inquire in advance about the issuance of temporary special permits.

Belgium has three environmental zones (LEZ – Low Emission Zone): Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels, which contain 19 municipalities and are valid 24 hours a day. The control is carried out using cameras that scan license plates. Every vehicle must be registered online. This also applies to vehicles registered abroad. Vehicles that do not meet the access criteria can enter the LEZ with a day pass – this costs 35 Euros per day. Those who fail to register will face a fine of between 150 and 350 euros.

In the Netherlands, 15 municipalities have created environmental zones where diesel vehicles are not allowed. These areas are marked with signs that say “Ambient Zone.” Cameras record the license plates of vehicles entering these areas. If an entering vehicle is denied entry, a fine of 95 euros will be imposed. This also applies to vehicles registered abroad.

Cities in Spain with a population of 50,000 or more have had to gradually introduce perimeter zones since 2023. Five cities have already done this: Barcelona, ​​​​Madrid, Seville, Valencia and Valladolid. Only the region in Barcelona is permanently valid. Other zones are weather-dependent air protection zones and come into effect only when there is severe air pollution. There is no general rule as to which vehicles should be banned. The government decides which vehicles can continue to enter, depending on the level of air pollution.

There are currently no restrictions in the form of environmental zones for cars in the neighboring country to the east. However, speed limits may be imposed on certain sections of the highway to improve air quality. But be careful: in Austria, delivery vehicles are required to have a sticker – this includes mobile homes. Without a valid environmental label you may be fined up to 2,180 euros!

You can find more information about all applicable regulations and restrictions in individual European countries at tcs.ch.

Source: Blick