Words and photography: Nathan Chadwick
Here’s how to breathe easy on European classic car journeys
Europe’s cities are famous for narrow cobblestone streets, cathedral squares and café culture — but also for air quality challenges. In response, many urban areas have introduced Low Emission Zones (LEZ), Zones à Faibles Émissions (ZFE) and other clean‑air schemes to restrict the most polluting vehicles from city centres. These aim to cut harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates, improve public health and meet environmental targets. However, for enthusiasts and owners of classic cars, these zones can be confusing, as most heritage vehicles pre‑date modern emissions standards and do not automatically meet current Euro norms.
Across Europe, clean air policies vary by city and country, but most share common goals: reducing toxic emissions from traffic and encouraging cleaner transport. These schemes often use Euro emissions standards — ratings given to vehicles based on engine pollution controls — as a yardstick for allowed access. The higher the Euro number, the cleaner the vehicle. Classic cars generally fall below the minimum thresholds required in many zones because they were built long before modern emissions regulations were introduced.
Each city or region typically decides its own rules, meaning there is no single EU‑wide clean air permit that automatically covers all zones. That patchwork of rules is at the heart of what classic car drivers must understand before planning a continental tour.
In France, one of the most widespread systems is the Crit’Air vignette (air quality sticker), which classifies vehicles into six coloured categories (0 to 5) based on their emissions performance. Every car that enters a designated ZFE (Zone à Faibles Émissions) must display a Crit’Air sticker showing its rating. Vehicles registered before 31 December 1996 — which includes many classic cars — are not eligible for a sticker at all and therefore cannot legally enter many LEZs if restrictions are in force.
Crit’Air rules vary by city: for example, Paris, Lyon and Grenoble have progressively tightened restrictions, with older petrol and diesel cars being banned entirely during certain hours or permanently from core areas. Cities often impose fines of around €68 for missing or non‑compliant stickers.
If you plan classic car trips through France, the key steps are to order your Crit’Air sticker online ahead of time, since it cannot be purchased on the spot, check each city’s permitted categories because having a sticker alone does not guarantee access, and plan your routes to avoid core ZFEs if your car is unclassified or too old.
Some cities also offer temporary passes (for example, a limited number of days per year that you can enter the zone even with a more polluting car) but these vary by municipality and often require online registration in advance.
Germany’s approach centres around the Umweltplakette (environmental badge), a coloured sticker placed on the windscreen. Cities with LEZs — such as Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart — require this badge for entry; without it, enforcement cameras can trigger fines. These badges are based on emissions classification and are required whether your vehicle is German‑registered or foreign.
For classic cars, this means that even if a vehicle predates Euro standards, you must still obtain the appropriate badge or risk a penalty. Unlike France’s Crit’Air, German LEZs do not automatically bar unclassified older vehicles; instead, access depends on the emissions category indicated by the badge. However, classic cars are assessed on emissions data from registration documents rather than just age alone.
In Belgium, especially in cities like Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent, LEZs operate with minimum emissions standards. Petrol vehicles generally must meet a minimum Euro standard (such as Euro 2 or higher), and diesel vehicles usually must be Euro 5 or higher. Foreign cars must often register online before entering
these zones so that cameras can recognise their compliance status. Belgium also offers exemptions and passes in certain cases, and historic vehicles may sometimes qualify for special consideration, though rules differ between cities. Always check the local LEZ portal in advance and register your vehicle if required to avoid fines.
In the Netherlands, many cities have LEZs with varying degrees of restrictions. While most Dutch LEZs focus on diesel vehicles, pre‑Euro classics often still need to check specific local rules as enforcement is typically through roadside ANPR cameras.
In Spain, major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona have permanent LEZs which use a different mix of systems — some require online registration or documentation at city council offices, and penalties for non‑compliance can be around €200. Foreign drivers should be prepared to show proof of their vehicle’s emissions level or register prior to entering restricted zones.
Italy does not yet have a fully nationwide LEZ scheme, but major urban areas implement restricted traffic zones (ZTLs) and local LEZs, particularly around historic centres. These differ by municipality and time of day, and you should expect to provide vehicle documentation to prove classification. Many Italian cities exempt older vehicles with recognised historic status, but the details vary widely and signage is strictly enforced.
In Portugal, cities like Lisbon have LEZs that set minimum Euro standards (e.g., Euro 2 or Euro 3). While there isn’t always a sticker requirement, documentation proving emissions class is essential, and enforcement cameras will identify non‑compliant vehicles.
Certain Eastern European capitals such as Sofia have introduced LEZs based on Euro category bans (starting with Euro1 vehicles). These policies often expand over time to higher Euro categories as air quality targets tighten.
In Scandinavia, LEZs focus primarily on diesel vehicles and require particulate filters or equivalent to enter. For classics without modern emissions control, this generally means avoiding core urban areas unless zones are temporarily inactive or alternative routes are used.
Though not part of the EU, Switzerland has its own air quality scheme, notably around Geneva. The Stick’AIR sticker system operates similarly to France’s Crit’Air: vehicles must display the correct sticker if pollution levels exceed thresholds. During these periods, only vehicles bearing an authorised Stick’AIR
sticker may circulate within the defined zone, typically between 6am and 10pm. You must obtain a Stick’AIR sticker before entering Geneva’s zone during pollution alerts; while a French Crit’Air sticker is accepted in Switzerland, the Swiss Stick’AIR is not valid in France.
The scheme applies to both Swiss and foreign-registered vehicles, and fines for non‑compliance can be substantial, around CHF 500. Although the restrictions are weather‑linked rather than permanent daily rules, neglecting Stick’AIR requirements can easily disrupt a continental tour through Swiss urban areas.
What’s your best advice for travelling in low emission zones in Europe? Let us know.
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