5 LEZ tips for people visiting Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels
Belgium now has 3 cities with low-emission zones: Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. These 5 handy tips will help you keep an overview.
The aim is to improve air quality by banning the most polluting vehicles. But there are also local differences, and these are important if you regularly drive from Ghent to Antwerp or Brussels.
1. Check whether your destination (or the route) is located in the LEZ
Before you leave, you should check whether it is necessary to drive into the LEZ. For example, the zone in Brussels is a lot bigger than the one in Ghent. Check the exact LEZ zone for each city here:
2. Check your vehicle and euro emissions standard
The LEZ regulations in Belgium are a regional competence. This means that the conditions for entering Antwerp and Ghent are slightly different from the LEZ rules in Brussels. We compare and contrast the main differences. But wherever you drive: the vehicle category, fuel and euro emissions standard are decisive in all cities. You will find these details on the registration certificate. Each city has an online tool where you can check whether your car can enter the LEZ by entering your number plate and date of first registration:
3. Your paid permit is only valid in the city where you bought it
Do you have a temporary authorisation or day pass? Then it is only valid in the city where you purchased the access. For example, do you have a temporary authorisation to enter the LEZ in Ghent for 1 year? Then you can only use it in Ghent.
More info: temporary permit for Ghent LEZ - day pass for Ghent LEZ - temporary permit for Antwerp LEZ - day pass for Antwerp LEZ - day pass for Brussels LEZ.
4. Your free access is valid in Ghent and Antwerp, but not in Brussels
Some vehicles are authorised to enter the LEZ, but must first be registered or notified, without cost. This applies, for example, to authorised vehicles with foreign number plates. A registration for Ghent is also valid for Antwerp and vice versa, but this reciprocity does not apply in Brussels. Authorised foreign vehicles must therefore register once for all Flemish low-emission zones, and once for the Brussels low-emission zone. The situation is different for Dutch visitors: they do not have to register for any LEZ in Belgium.
More information:
- Register your vehicle for all Flemish low emission zones on the website of the City of Ghent
- Register your vehicle for all Flemish low emission zones on the website of the City of Antwerp
- Register your vehicle (foreign number plate) for the Brussels LEZ
The same applies to other specific vehicles that need to be registered in Antwerp and Ghent, such as vehicles belonging to a person with a disability. In Brussels, you need to apply for a (free) derogation for this. Check out what vehicles this concerns here.
5. Is your vehicle too polluting? Check out the alternatives
Going to Ghent, Antwerp or Brussels? There are various ways to do that. You are welcome everywhere by car, but parking at a park-and-ride and switching to a tram or bus might be faster? Or perhaps a folding bike on the train could be a solution? Check out the different options in advance: