European Emissions sticker: regulations per country (2023)

Low-emission zones and emissions sticker in Luxembourg

Luxembourg does not have any low-emission zones. This means an emissions sticker is not required for your car or motorhome while on holiday in Luxembourg.

Low-emission zones and emissions sticker in Denmark

Denmark has no low-emission zones for cars and an emissions sticker is not required. Some large Danish cities such as Aalborg, Aarhus, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen and Odense do have restrictions for heavier diesel vehicles in the categories N1, N2 and N3.

No EcoSticker but mandatory registration

• The EcoSticker was abolished in July 2020. An obligation to register was introduced in its place.
• Since 2020, all vehicles (including foreign vehicles) are required to register.
• Restrictive measures for diesel-powered vehicles only apply to delivery vans over 3.5 tonnes, buses and large goods vehicles.

Read more about the low-emission zones in Denmark here.

You can camp by the water in beautiful locations in the Central Denmark Region. See for yourself:

Low-emission zones and emissions sticker in Germany

Read our article about low emission zones and emissions sticker in Germany.

Low-emission zones and emissions sticker in Great Britain and Northern Ireland

There are a few cities in Great Britain and Northern Ireland that have low-emission zones:

• London
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Bradford
• Portsmouth
• Sheffield
• Tyneside
• Bath

Low-emission zones in London

If you are planning to drive to the capital of London, there are a few things you should know. In general, public transport is recommended in London itself. If this is not possible, the following is important.

Zones with a ‘congestion charge’

• Certain zones in London require that you pay a congestion charge to be able to drive through the centre. These are heavy traffic zones. In these zones, almost all vehicles must pay, including cars and motorhomes with a foreign number plate. The only exceptions are fully electric cars and motorcycles. Such a zone is indicated by a sign, and a camera registers your car.
• You can only pay for a full day, which will cost £ 15 (if payment is made prior to the travel day itself) or £ 17.50 per day (if payment is made on the second or third day). This regulation only applies on workdays from 7:00 to 18:00 and on weekends from 12:00 to 18:00.

Low-emission zones in London

• London has Low Emission Zones (LEZ) as well as Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ). Read more about and check the map for areas that have a congestion charge (CC), LEZ or ULEZ.
• There is yet another regulation for motorhomes if you want to enter the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in London.The charge for driving in this zone depends on the weight and age of your motorhome. Foreign motorhomes must be registered in advance. Register two weeks before going to the city, using this form.
• For ultra-low emission zones (ULEZ), the following applies: vehicles that do not meet the strict requirements need to pay an additional charge of £12.50 in addition to the congestion charge in order to be able to enter the zone.
• Note: as from 29 August 2023, the ULEZ will be extended to include all neighbourhoods in London. This government website clearly explains the regulations regarding the ULEZ.
• A Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) may even apply to some areas.

Clean air zones

• A Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is in effect in Birmingham, Bristol, Bradford, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Tyneside and Bath. If your car or motorhome exceeds the emission standards, you must pay a daily reimbursement. The regulations differ per city, so do be sure to check them before you enter the city.
• Historic locations such as Durham apply a urban toll. This applies for all vehicles and must be paid from Monday to Saturday between 10:00 and 16:00. You can pay the toll in advance or on location at one of the Parking Shops.

These campsites have excellent public transport connections to London:

Low-emission zones and emissions sticker in Italy

The Italians now have quite a few cities with a low-emission zone, the ‘Zona a Traffico Limitato’ (ZTL).

The following cities in Italy have a low-emission zone (note: this is not an exhaustive list). There is a good chance that one of these cities is on your holiday bucket list, so be sure to keep reading. Here is an overview of Italian cities with low-emission zones.

• Rome
• Florence
• Lucca
• Pisa
• Verona
• Bologna
• Milan
• Palermo

Low-emission zones in Italian cities

• For the above cities, the low-emission zones are closed to motorised traffic at certain (busy) times. You do not have to pay – if you are willing to take the risk of driving here at times when it is not permitted. A hefty fine will be the result. The times when the ban applies are listed under the traffic signs that indicate the zones. You will see these signs when you drive into the low-emission zone.
• Low-emission zones are being introduced in more and more tourist areas.

Urban toll for vehicles in Italy

Some cities apply an urban toll. Here, you need a vignette to enter the city centre. You can buy an entry pass for one day or one month from tobacco shops and kiosks. The urban toll in Milan applies on workdays from 7:30 to 19:30, in Palermo between 8:00 and 20:00 and in Bologna between 7:00 and 20:00.

Loading and unloading

You may quickly drop someone off or unload something, but some areas require a temporary permit to do so. If, for example, you have booked an apartment in a city centre, the apartment owner is responsible for applying for such a permit.

If you are in Italy and need cooling down, book a pitch at one of these campsites with leisure pool:

Low-emission zones and emissions sticker in Hungary

Hungary has no low-emission zones that you must take into account. A smog alarm may apply in Budapest and in other large Hungarian cities, which means that certain types of vehicles are banned.

If there is a smog alarm in Budapest and in other large Hungarian cities, certain types of vehicles are banned. The smog alarm is often announced one or two days in advance.  More information about the smog alarm in Budapest can be found here.

Regulations for a smog alarm in Hungary

• Often, vehicles with an emissions standard lower than Euro 5 are not allowed in the centre when there is a smog alarm.
• Owners of a vehicle that may not drive during a smog alarm can use public transport for free if they present their vehicle registration certificate.
• As a matter of fact, it is not a good idea to visit Budapest with your car or motorhome. In many streets in the historic city centre, no vehicles are allowed to enter at all.

Camping in Hungary is becoming increasingly popular. And with such beautiful campsites, we understand why!

Low-emission zones and emissions stickers in Austria

Austria has eight low-emission zones. Since 2015, every delivery van (N1), goods vehicle (N2) and heavy goods vehicle (N3) must have an emissions sticker (UmweltPickerl). Please note that motorhomes registered in vehicle class N require an emissions sticker. More information about emissions stickers in Austria can be found here.

Low-emission zones in Austria

• There are low-emission zones in the following provinces and cities: Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria, Tyrol, Burgenland, Linz and Außerfern.
• If you don’t have the mandatory emissions sticker, you risk a fine of up to € 2,180. The fine can be imposed on both the driver of the vehicle and the owner of the vehicle. According to EU guidelines, fines of € 70 or more can be collected across borders in the home country.
• The maximum speed permitted on Austrian motorways is normally 130 km/h. Certain routes have an environmental speed limit (IG-L) of 100 km/h. Electric cars are exempt from this. These cars must have an ‘E’ on the number plate.
• There is a possibility that speed limit restrictions could be imposed in or around certain cities if the percentage of smog is high.

Sticker for motorhomes in Austria

• Motorhomes heavier than 3,500 kilos pay toll via an electric toll system with the GO-Box. This must be purchased before entering the country and replaces the sticker.
• Please note that you must charge the card that goes in the GO-Box with between € 75 to € 100. Moreover, this credit can be used for a maximum of two years.

Low-emission zones and emissions stickers in Spain

As from 1 January 2023, Spain has new environmental rules for cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants – a total of 148 cities now. In the course of this year, all of these cities will apply low-emission zones, requiring emissions stickers for all vehicles. The Spanish emissions sticker is not available for vehicles that are not registered in Spain. Luckily, you can use the emissions sticker from Germany, France or Austria.

Low-emission zone in Barcelona

An exception to this is the city of Barcelona. Barcelona has had a permanent low-emission zone from Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 20:00 for some time already.  Foreign vehicles may only enter the city after registering. An emissions sticker from another country is not valid in Barcelona at this time. More information about and registration in Barcelona’s low-emission zone.

Low-emission zones in Madrid

Madrid has had low-emission zones for some time already as well. Your foreign emissions sticker is valid here. More information about the low-emission zones in Madrid can be found here.

The low-emission zones in Spain can be recognised:

• by signs with the text ‘Area de prioridad residencial’, ‘Madrid Central’ or ‘Zona Baixes Emissiones’. The public authorities are considering the residents as well as the environment with these zones. The environmental rules have drastically reduced the number of cars in the city centres.
• Cameras are used to check that the zones remain car-free. Anyone who violates the rules can expect a fine.
• If you are driving through France to Spain, it is handy to purchase a French emissions sticker, which is valid in both France and Spain.

You can spend a lovely winter holiday at a Spanish campsite with indoor pool here:

Low-emission zones and emissions stickers in Norway

In this stunning country filled with glaciers and mountains, you only have to pay attention to low-emission zones in the capital city of Oslo and in the fjord city of Bergen. You do not need to purchase an emissions sticker for Norway.

Measures due to air quality in Norway

• In this city, the public authorities decide when the air quality is poor and will close the city centre to diesel vehicles as a result. Exceptions are vehicles used to transport handicapped and disabled persons.
• The measures are announced at least one day in advance via the media, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the local websites. If you don’t want to run any risks, public transport is an ideal way to get to your destination.

If you like going on camping holidays with your dog or dogs, these campsites in Norway are highly recommended!

Low-emission zones and emissions stickers in Sweden

When in Sweden, you barely have to take low-emission zones into account. Car traffic is restricted on weekdays only in the city centres of Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Low-emission zones in Stockholm and Gothenburg

• If you visit one of these cities with a car or motorhome, you pay what is called a congestion tax. Only motorcyclists do not pay the tax.
• In the month of July and on public holidays, no charges are levied on any vehicle.
• The price of the tax depends on the time you drive into the zone. The costs are indicated when you drive into the zone.
• You do not have to buy a sticker because cameras register your number plate. The bill will then be sent to your home address.
• If you do not pay this charge, you could be issued a fine of approximately SEK 500 (about € 47.50).

If you want to go on a lovely hike in Sweden, check out these campsites with great hiking routes that start right at the campsite:

Public transport and shuttle service from the campsite

If you are travelling with a motorhome and would like to visit a beautiful city in the area of your campsite, you can often do so with public transport. Some campsites even have a shuttle service available.

Stay alert!

There is always a possibility that legislation could still change per country (or even per city) in the course of 2023. Before you leave, it is always good to check whether the regulations described here still apply. Have a lovely trip!