Zero-emissionzones in The Netherlands

What is a zero-emission zone?

Since 1 January 2025, municipalities in the Netherlands are allowed to designate an urban area where no polluting vans and trucks are allowed to drive. The goal is to reduce particulate matter and CO2 emissions in cities. That area is a zero-emission zone (ZEZ). The perimeter of a ZEZ must cover at least the city centre and possibly surrounding neighbourhoods. You can only enter this area with your van or truck if it does not emit any polluting substances. For example, a car running on electricity or hydrogen.

Not the same as environmental zones

A zero-emission zone is not the same as an environmental zone (millieuzone). An environmental zone, also called a low-emission zone, is an area where certain diesel vehicles are not allowed to enter. Several Dutch cities have an environmental zone. Check to find out if your van or truck is allowed to enter an environmental zone.

Check which cities will have zero-emission zones

Zero-emission zones have been established in 15 cities as of 1 January 2025. Another 14 are planned between 2025 and 2030. In which year the zero-emission zone will take effect varies by city. Find out which cities have established or announced a zero-emission zone (in Dutch).

Which company vehicles are allowed in a zero-emission zone?

Whether you can enter a zero-emission zone depends on the emission class (in Dutch) of your company car. All new vans and trucks will be allowed to enter the ZE zone only if they are emission-free. This concerns company cars registered after 1 January 2025 (date of first admission). Delivery vans with an emission class Euro 4 or lower and trucks manufactured before 2017 are not allowed to enter the ZE zones.

Transitional period until 2030

There is a transitional period (in Dutch) for some types of company cars. Cleaner vans and younger trucks running on petrol, diesel or LPG are allowed to enter the ZE zone for a little longer. The following applies:

• Euro 5 delivery van: until 1 January 2027.

• Euro 6 delivery van: until 1 January 2028.

• Euro 6 truck (box truck or tipper truck) that is on 1 January 2025 no more than 5 years old: until 1 January 2030.

• Euro 6 truck (semi-trailer truck) aged up to 8 years on 1 January 2025: until 1 January 2030.

Longer access to zero-emission zones for Euro 6 vans

The government has decided to extend access to zero-emission zones for vans with a Euro 6 emission class by one year to 1 January 2029. This change will not be official until the RVV (Reglement verkeersregels en verkeerstekens) is amended. That may still take some time. Until then, the current access rules will apply.

Exemptions and dispensations

Are you not allowed to enter the ZE zones with your vehicle? For example, your vehicle is too old (old-timer) and you fall outside the transitional regime. Sometimes you can make use of an exemption or dispensation. An exemption is based on registration number and is granted automatically. You must apply for an dispensation (in Dutch) yourself.