Frequently asked questions about the Ghent low emission zone
Frequently asked questions about the Ghent low-emission zone
Entry requirements | Vehicle with a foreign number plate | Buying a temporary permit | Specific vehicles | LEZ Fine | Area of the LEZ | Air quality | Premiums and subsidies | More Information
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Vehicle with a foreign number plate
The entry requirements for the low emission zone (LEZ) also apply to vehicles with a foreign number plate. First check your vehicle by means of the online tool.
- Do you drive a vehicle with a foreign number plate that meets the entry requirements? Then you need to register this vehicle. Except for dutch vehicles, their data are automatically retrieved via RDW. The registration is free of charge and valid in all Flemish cities with a low emission zone.
- Do you drive a vehicle with a foreign number plate that does not meet the entry requirements? Then you can buy a permit if it concerns a Euro 4 standard diesel-powered vehicle. If you cannot buy a permit, you can buy an LEZ day pass up to 8 times a year.
This depends on a number of factors.
Does your vehicle meet the access requirements and feature a foreign number plate?
Then the free registration in the Antwerp LEZ is also valid in the Ghent LEZ. For example, if you drive a vehicle with a French number plate that meets the access requirements and you have registered this vehicle in Antwerp, you can also enter the Ghent low-emission zone with this vehicle. Or the other way around: if you drive a vehicle with a German number plate that meets the access requirements and you have registered this vehicle in Ghent, you can also enter the Antwerp low-emission zone with this vehicle. You only need to register once.
Note: Dutch vehicles just need to check if the vehicle is allowed in the Ghent LEZ.
Does it concern a vehicle for people with a disability that meets the access requirements?
If you have registered this vehicle free of charge in Antwerp, this registration is also valid in Ghent, and vice versa.
Did you get a paid permit for your vehicle in Antwerp?
Did you buy a temporary permit or a LEZ day pass for your vehicle? This permit or LEZ day pass is only valid in the city where you bought it. For example, if you buy a one-month permit for a passenger car (with a foreign number plate) in the city of Antwerp, this permit is only valid in the Antwerp LEZ and not in the Ghent LEZ.
Do you travel to Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels on a frequent basis? Click here for a useful overview.
If you have submitted a request today, you have to take into account that processing can take 14 days. You can enter the zone at your own risk during this two-week period. You can already enter the low emission zone but you do so at your own risk. After all, your application has not yet been formally approved. If it appears afterwards that your request was denied because you did not meet all requirements, you can be fined. So it is highly recommended to request a registration in advance.
You will receive a first email simply to conform the application.
You will receive a second email with indication of the decision
Always use the online check tool to see whether your vehicle is admitted to the low emission zone (LEZ).The database relies on the data of DIV (Belgian vehicle registration service). When registering an imported vehicle in Belgium, the DIV will, among others, use the international registration certificate and the certificate of conformity. You must submit the original documents to the DIV. Make sure you keep a copy of the originals.
- Things you should pay attention to when entering the LEZ with an imported vehicle.
- Always check whether the vehicle’s Belgian registration certificate lists a Euro emission standard
- If yes, then this is the official Euro emission standard for the LEZ;
- If no, then the date when your vehicle was first registered applies. You can then use the online check tool to check whether your vehicle may enter the LEZ.
- If you suspect that the Euro emission standard of your Belgian registration certificate does not correspond with its effective Euro emission standard, then you must contact the DIV to have this information changed. In anticipation of this, you can already request a correction in our system, by providing the required documents.
IIf you sell your vehicle and/or change the number plate, the vehicle needs to be re-registered with the new number plate. As set out in in Article 4 of the Municipal Regulations for the low-emission zone of Ghent, permits, registrations or exemptions are non-transferable.
Yes, you are. A LEZ day pass is valid as soon as it has been requested and payment has been made. The day pass is valid on the date of your choice until 6am the following day.
Even if you want to enter or exit the city with your classic car only once, you have to meet the access requirements of the LEZ. Throughout the low-emission zone you can find smart cameras that register your number plate when you pass by. It does not matter whether you are entering or leaving the city centre.
If your rental car has a foreign license plate, you need to register this vehicle (free of charge). To do so, you need the registration number, the date of 1st registration of the vehicle and the Euro standard. You will find this information on the registration or registration certificate.
You do not have a registration certificate for the rental car?
If so, check whether you can provide an official document which includes the registration number, date of 1st registration and Euro standard. If you are unable to present these documents, please contact the rental company. The purchase of a LEZ day pass can be a temporary solution.
If your rental car has a Belgian number plate, please check the car with the online tool. All you need is the number plate and date of 1st registration of the vehicle. This can be found on the registration certificate. It must be present in the rental car.
Yes, but please check if your vehicle does meet the conditions listed below.
- Vehicles with a foreign number plate that meets the standards.
- Vehicles of people with disabilities do not meet the standards but qualify for an exemption.
- Agricultural vehicles with a maximum capacity of 130 kW
- Mobile crane
- Abnormal load
In that case, your vehicle qualifies for late registration. Please note that the late registration must be completed at the latest 30 calendar days following receipt of the fine. You can apply for late registration through the 'Check your car'. For late registration, you pay a fee of €75.00. Only if that registration is approved can the fining officer dismiss the original LEZ fine.
If you previously received a warning letter or LEZ fine about this vehicle, the fining officer can NOT dismiss your fine.
If you qualify for late registration, you have to follow this procedure:
- Register your vehicle late within 30 days of the notification of your LEZ fine. Late registration in the LEZ database is not in order until it is approved. Please take into account that it takes 14 days to process your registration.
- File a defense within 30 days of the notification of your LEZ fine after you carry out your late registration and report that you carried out a late registration, and attach all relevant documents.
- The fining officer will review your administrative fine, you will be notified within 90 days. The fining officer officer will inform you and ask you to pay a fee of €75.
- If you pay the fee in time, your fine will be dropped. If you don't pay the fee in time, there will be no further possibility to pay it. The fine can no longer be dropped.
Entry requirements
To be allowed to enter the LEZ, a vehicle has to meet a number of requirements. Your vehicle's Euro standard and fuel type determine whether your vehicle is allowed to enter.
Check your vehicle with the online tool here or have a look at the table with Euro standards to find out whether you can enter with your vehicle.
- Your vehicle meets the access requirements? You don't have to do anything unless your vehicle features a foreign number plate. A foreign vehicle needs to be registered first.
- Your vehicle does not meet the access requirements? Check whether you can buy a temporary permit or LEZ day pass.
Please note: the access requirements will become more stringent as of 2025.
Check what you can do in your situation:
Check your car using the online tool. Don't have Internet access at the moment? Then check the entry enquirements here.
Do you have a foreigh number plate?
- You can enter the LEZ with your car with a foreign number plate
Then register your car free of charge so as to avoid a fine. Except for dutch vehicles, their data are automatically retrieved via RDW. You can register your car with the online tool until one day after entering the LEZ. Even if this time period has already expired, we still advise you to register your vehicle as soon as possible. After you have submitted an application, it takes the administration 14 days to process your application. You can enter the zone at your own risk during this 14-day period. - You are not allowed to enter the LEZ with your car with a foreign number plate
If you have entered the LEZ anyway, you can buy a temporary permit or a LEZ day pass until 1 day after entering the LEZ at 11.59 pm. After you have submitted an application, it takes the administration 14 days to process your application. You can enter the zone at your own risk during this 14-day period.
Do you have a Belgian number plate?
- If you are allowed to enter the LEZ with your car, you do not have to do anything.
- If you are not allowed to enter the LEZ and have entered the LEZ anyway, you can buy a temporary permit or a LEZ day pass until 1 day after entering the LEZ at 11.59 pm.
- In some cases you can register your car free of charge (e.g. if you have a disability and meet certain conditions). You have until the day after your entry into the zone to make the necessary arrangements.
- You can enter the LEZ with your car with a foreign number plate
Check your car using the online check tool. Your vehicle is not automatically allowed to enter?
- Foreign vehicles that meet the access requirements have to be registered free of charge. It is possible to request an exemption for certain vehicles, for example the vehicle of a disabled person. These vehicles also have to be registered free of charge. Check out what vehicles we are talking about here.
- Your vehicle does not meet the access requirements and you are not entitled to an exemption? Check whether you can buy a temporary permit or LEZ day pass.
- Consider the alternatives: where can you drive or park if your vehicle does not meet the access requirements? Or what are the other options to travel to Ghent?
The Euro standard is a European environmental standard for vehicles and is indicated with a number. A higher Euro standard means that a vehicle is less polluting to the environment. Your vehicle's Euro standard and fuel type determine whether your vehicle is allowed to enter the LEZ. The Euro standard for trucks and buses is indicated with a Roman numeral.
Some important dates with regard to the Euro standard:
- The Euro 6 standard for passenger cars came into effect in late 2015.
- New trucks also have to meet the Euro 6 standard.
- Passenger cars manufactured between 2011 and 2015 meet the Euro 5 standard.
- The Euro 4 standard was introduced in 2006.
- The Euro 3 standard took effect in 2001.
The applicable Euro standard is mentioned on your vehicle's registration document or on its ‘Certificate of Conformity’ under section V9 'environmental class'. If the applicable Euro standard is not mentioned on your registration document, the date of first registration can be used to determine whether your vehicle is allowed to enter the LEZ.
The entry requirements for the LEZ will apply 24/7 to all diesel, petrol, LPG, CNG or LNG-powered vehicles that fall into categories M, N or T. Your vehicle's category is mentioned on your registration document in section J.
Passenger transport with passenger vehicles, motor caravans, buses and coaches (CATEGORY M)
- M1 (passenger car / motor caravan): vehicles for up to 8 passengers + driver
- M2 (minibus): vehicles for more than 8 passengers + driver with a mass < 5 tonnes
- M3 (bus/coach): vehicles for more than 8 passengers + driver and with a mass > 5 tonnes
Freight transport with vans and trucks (CATEGORY N)
- N1 (van): vehicles with a mass < 3.5 tonnes (weight classes I, II and III)
- N2 (light truck): vehicles with a mass > 3.5 tonnes and < 12 tonnes
- N3 (heavy truck): vehicles with a mass > 12 tonnes
Wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors (CATEGORY T)
Agricultural vehicles with an output of max. 130 kW may enter the LEZ from 1/1/2020 until 31/12/2028 after a free registration. As of 1/1/2029, these agricultural vehicles must comply with phase 5 emission standards.
Agricultural vehicles with an output higher than 130 KW must comply with phase 3b (IIIb) standards from 1/1/2020. When the LEZ rules are tightened again in 2025, only agricultural vehicles that are phase 4 (IV) or higher may enter the LEZ. From 1/1/2028 only phase 5 (V) agricultural vehicles may enter the LEZ.
No, there isn't. Such a sticker does not exist.
Please note: some commercial companies offer a paid service to prepare your vehicle for the Ghent low-emission zone and present a sticker to their customers. The City of Ghent has nothing to do with this service. You can register your vehicle or buy a permit with the online tool.
You do not have to present any physical document to be granted access to the Ghent low-emission zone. The enforcement process relies on number plate recognition and is fully automated. A company that sells so-called environmental stickers that show that your car meets the entry requirements does so at its own initiative. These stickers do not have any legal value.
New vehicles in principle meet Euro standard 6. You can enter the LEZ with such vehicles until the end of August 2027. If you buy a second-hand car, be sure to check the Euro standard. Please note that the LEZ access requirements will become more stringent in 2025.
The LEZ does not yet apply to mopeds. The use of old mopeds should nevertheless be avoided for health reasons. Especially two-stroke mopeds emit a lot of particulate matter. Vehicles entering the LEZ are checked on the basis of their number plate, and moped owners had until 10 December 2017 to buy a number plate for their vehicle. Further investigation is required to determine whether the registered data suffice to be able to prevent the oldest, most polluting mopeds from entering the LEZ.
The LEZ does not yet apply to motorcycles. This will be the case until the Flemish authorities refine the framework. Only passenger cars (category M1), buses and coaches (category M2 or M3), motor caravans (category M1, M2 or M3), vans (category N1), trucks (category N2 or N3) and agricultural or forestry vehicles (category T) are currently subject to entry requirements.
Only buses for the transport of persons with disabilities are exempted from the access criteria. Coaches will have to comply with the general standards.
There are three cities with a low emission zone in Belgium: Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. Do you travel to Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels on a frequent basis? The main differences between the LEZ in Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels can be found here.
There are also numerous cities with a low emission zone in other European countries. This website contains all information about low emission zones in Europe.
In Belgium there are 3 cities with a low-emission zone: Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels. These 5 tips will guide you through the most important differences.
In Europe there are many other cities with an LEZ: check this website for more info.
- In the Netherlands there are several cities who have a ‘milieuzone’, in Germany they have ‘Umweltzones’. Vehicles must have a valid sticker to enter these German low emission zones.
- Large cities such as Paris and London also have a low emission zone. Vehicles with a non-British number plate are also subject to registration before entering London’s Low Emission Zone.
- Also cities in Sweden, Denmark and Italy are banning the most polluting vehicles from their cities.
When adapting a vehicle, you must first request the agreement of the manufacturer (certificate for the replacement of an engine). Then a homologation procedure must be started through the vehicle inspection department (certificate of conformity for engine emissions). The data on the certificate of conformity will then be copied to the registration documents.
If changes are made to the engine, then both the certificate of conformity and the registration documents will be adapted to reflect this. Based on this, your vehicle may be admitted to the LEZ.
Buying a temporary permit
Today, the most recent Euro 4 standard diesel-powered cars are between 9 and 12 years old, an age at which many people have not yet depreciated the car. In Ghent, it is not the intention to resolutely ban these cars from 2020 onwards. There will be a transitional measure, which will allow the owners of Euro 4 diesel-powered cars to still enter the low-emission zone if they buy a permit. In the meantime, drivers will be able to prepare for 2025, as the conditions will then become more stringent.
Not all vehicles qualify for a paid permit:
- Diesel-powered vehicles that at least meet the Euro 5 standard are granted free access; diesel-powered vehicles that fail to meet the Euro 4 standard are not allowed to access the LEZ.
- Petrol, CNG, LPG, and CNG-powered vehicles that at least meet the Euro 2 standard are granted free access; petrol, CNG, LPG, and CNG-powered vehicles that fail to meet the Euro 2 standard are not allowed to access the LEZ.
- Only Euro 4 standard diesel-powered vehicles and some specific vehicles can buy a permit.
Here you can find an overview of the prices of a permit. The price you pay depends on three criteria: the vehicle category, the validity of the permit, the price level
IIf you sell your vehicle and/or change the number plate, you need to buy a new permit. As set out in Article 4 of the Municipal Regulations for the low-emission zone of Ghent, permits, registrations, or exemptions are non-transferable.
This is not necessary if:
- the owner has to request a new number plate (if the number plate was stolen or declared "to be replaced")
- the person in whose name the number plate is registered has died and the person in whose name the vehicle is re-registered lives at the same address as the deceased person
Some examples:
I have a permit, but my number plate has changed. What do I have to do?
If you have a permit with a validity of one year that is valid for another six months at the time of your request, you can be reimbursed for 50% of the amount paid. In that case: Mention the account number to which the remaining sum can be transferred.
Do you have a permit with a validity of four months, one month, or one week? Or do you have a permit with a validity of a year that is valid for less than six months at the time of your request? In that case, a partial reimbursement is not possible.
Send an email to lez@stad.gent with the request to cancel your current permit (mention your old number plate)
I have a permit, but I sold my car and I do not need a permit for my new car. Can I get reimbursed?
If you have a permit with a validity of one year that is valid for another six months at the time of your request, you can be reimbursed for 50% of the amount paid. In that case: Mention the account number to which the remaining sum can be transferred.
Do you have a permit with a validity of four months, one month, or one week? Or do you have a permit with a validity of a year that is valid for less than six months at the time of your request? In that case, a partial reimbursement is not possible.
Send an email to lez@stad.gent with the request to cancel your current permit (mention your old number plate)
I have a permit, but I sold my car. Can I transfer the permit to my new car?
That is not possible. What do you have to do?
If you have a permit with a validity of one year that is valid for another six months at the time of your request, you can be reimbursed for 50% of the amount paid. In that case: Mention the account number to which the remaining sum can be transferred.
Do you have a permit with a validity of four months, one month, or one week? Or do you have a permit with a validity of a year that is valid for less than six months at the time of your request? In that case, a partial reimbursement is not possible.
Check whether your new car is allowed into the LEZ. If not, you have to register your new car.
Send an email to lez@stad.gent with the request to cancel your current permit (mention your old number plate)
I have a permit, but I sold my car. Can I transfer the permit to the new owner?
That is not possible. What do you have to do?
If you have a permit with a validity of one year that is valid for another six months at the time of your request, you can be reimbursed for 50% of the amount paid. In that case: Mention the account number to which the remaining sum can be transferred.
Do you have a permit with a validity of four months, one month, or one week? Or do you have a permit with a validity of a year that is valid for less than six months at the time of your request? In that case, a partial reimbursement is not possible.
The new owner has to register the car again or buy a permit.
Send an email to lez@stad.gent with the request to cancel your current permit (mention your old number plate)
The decision regarding your request is only final once you have received a confirmation. Processing your request can take up to 14 days. If you enter the Ghent low emission zone before having received confirmation, you do so at your own risk. If it appears afterward that your request was denied because you did not meet all requirements, you can be fined. You are therefore advised to buy your permit in advance.
An approved 1-year permit that is still valid for at least 6 months at the time of the application qualifies for a 50% refund. LEZ permits for shorter periods (4 months, 1 month, 1 week) cannot be refunded.
How to submit this application?
- Email your application to lez@stad.gent
- The application has to be submitted by the person who originally applied for the low-emission zone permit or the owner of the number plate or their legal successor(s).
- Don’t forget to state the permit application number and the number plate in your email.
If you have applied for a temporary permit (for 1 year, 4 months, 1 month, or 1 week), you will also receive a confirmation e-mail. In this e-mail, you will also find the expiry date of the permit.
If you no longer have this confirmation e-mail, you can use the online tool to check whether your current permit is valid. To do so, enter your number plate and the date of your first registration. The online tool will then give you an overview of the 'admission period' with a start and expiry date.
Specific vehicles (vehicle of a disabled person, historical car,...)
The Flemish entry requirements determine when you can enter a low-emission zone with your car. Old vehicles emit relatively high levels of pollutants and therefore fall outside the categories of allowed vehicles. If you have an oldtimer, you can buy a LEZ day pass to enter the zone up to eight times a year.
Follow the steps below to find out if you are allowed to enter the LEZ.
Step 1: Check your car using the online tool.
- Is your car allowed? Then you don't have to do anything. You can enter and leave the low emission zone freely.
- Is your car not allowed? Then check whether your situation or your vehicle is eligible to register for free.
Step 2: When can you register your vehicle for free?
If your situation or your vehicle meets one of the conditions below:
- the owner of the vehicle (or a person officially registered at the same address) is entitled to an increased reimbursement of healthcare expenditure and has a parking card for people with disabilities
- the vehicle has been adjusted for transporting people with disabilities and the owner of the vehicle (or a person officially registered at the same address) has a parking card for people with disabilities
- the vehicle is fitted with a wheelchair system
- the vehicle has been adjusted for transporting people with disabilities and the vehicle is used for 'special transport services for people with disabilities' within the scope of the Flemish Parliament Act of 21 December 2012.
If your vehicle or your situation meets the requirements, you need to register the vehicle. The registration is free of charge and valid in all Flemish cities with a low emission zone.
If you have registered this vehicle free of charge in Antwerp, this registration is also valid in Ghent, and vice versa.
Ghent: www.lez.gent
Antwerp: www.slimnaarantwerpen.be/LEZ
Brussels: lez.brussels/mytax/- Euro 3 standard diesel-powered vehicles afterwards equipped with a soot filter are not allowed to enter the Ghent LEZ.
- Even if you have a Euro 4 standard diesel-powered vehicle equipped with a soot filter, you are not automatically allowed to enter the LEZ.
Your situation only qualifies for reconsideration if a correction of the Euro standard is possible. A correction of the Euro standard is possible if your vehicle meets a higher Euro standard than the one included in the LEZ database.
There are two categories of commercial number plates: dealer plates (starting with the letter Z) and test drive plates (starting with the letters ZZ). These number plates are not linked to one vehicle.
The owner of the number plate assumes responsibility to use the number plate in a responsible manner:
- If a commercial number plate is attached to a vehicle only allowed to enter the LEZ with a paid temporary permit, the owner has the possibility to buy a permit.
- If a commercial number plate is attached to a vehicle not allowed to enter the LEZ, the owner has the possibility to buy a LEZ day pass up to eight times a year.
The use of commercial number plates will be checked by law enforcement officers in the street.
LEZ Fine
It goes without saying that foreign vehicles also have to meet the access requirements of the LEZ. Strict enforcement is crucial in this regard. This can be achieved in several ways:
Through collaboration with judicial officers
The City of Ghent works together with judicial officers, who check your personal details based on the vehicle's number plate. It depends from country to country whether these personal details are obtained. Pursuant to an international collaboration agreement with the Netherlands and France concerning the exchange of personal details based on the vehicle's number plate, fines are usually sent to the offender's home address. There is also good collaboration with judicial officers in Great Britain, Germany and Luxembourg.
Through on-site inspections by the Ghent LEZ cell in collaboration with the police
The LEZ cell can also enforce the rules in the street. Within this scope, they can participate in vehicle checks by the police and check compliance with the LEZ rules. If a car does not meet the LEZ rules, a fine can be charged immediately.
By way of information: 92% of foreign offenders are people who drive a car with a Dutch, French, British or German number plate
Send the 'notification of other driver' form by registered mail to the following address within 30 days after your fine was sent to you: Stad Gent, Dienst Milieu en Klimaat, t.a.v. administratie lage-emissiezone, Botermarkt 1, 9000 Gent. This form was sent to you together with the fine.
Please add the following documents to the form:
As a natural person or private individual
- the agreement of the person who was driving your car at the time of the offence; they have to sign the form
- a copy of the driver's identity card
As a legal person or company
- in case of a rental car: the rental contract (check whether the contract mentions the correct details of the driver, including name, address and possibly national number).
- in case of a replacement car: the official log data
- the name and address of the actual driver at the time of the offence
- a statement of correctness of this information drawn up by the natural person acting on behalf of the company (known in the Crossroads Bank of Enterprises as the manager or by an authorised representative with a power of attorney)
What happens now?
The fine against you is voided. A new fine will be drawn up and sent to the driver.
You have the possibility to contest a fine in writing by registered mail. You must use the appeal form for this. This form is appended to the fine. You only have to pay when a decision has been reached regarding your appeal.
If you do not pay your fine after receiving a reminder or an official notification that your objection has been rejected, we will pass on your file to a judicial officer. This person will charge additional expenses.
Once your file has been passed on to a judicial officer, the City of Ghent can no longer intervene in the matter. In this case it is advisable to contact the judicial officer directly:
+32 (0)9 220 00 37
lez@gdw-gent.be).Yes, but please check if you qualify for a 'late registration'. Have you received a LEZ fine for your vehicle for the first time and you weren't aware of the LEZ does your vehicle meet the conditions listed below?
- Vehicles with a foreign number plate that are eligible for registration based on vehicle characteristics.
- Vehicles of people with disabilities do not meet the standards but qualify for an exemption after registration.
In that case, your vehicle qualifies for late registration. Please note that the late registration must be completed at the latest 30 calendar days following receipt of the fine. For late registration, you have to pay a fee of € 75. The fines officer can only drop the original LEZ fine if the registration is approved. However, if you already received a warning or a LEZ fine relating to this vehicle, you do not qualify for late registration.
If you qualify for late registration, you have to follow this procedure:
- Do a late registration for your vehicle at the latest 30 days after having received your LEZ fine via Check your car. Fill in the questions and choose, if the question is asked, for a late registration after receiving a fine (be careful: if you are not eligible for a late registration, you won't be asked this question). Registration in the LEZ data base is only valid if it has been approved.
- File your objection at the latest 30 days after having received your LEZ fine, stating with formular C that you made a late registration.
- If your objection is accepted, the fines officer will inform you.
Area of the LEZ
The Ghent city centre or the zone inside the Ghent ring road (R40) is a low emission zone.
Only vehicles that meet the access requirements are still allowed to drive in the zone. The low emission zone is marked in pink on this map in pdf.
The R40 (Ghent ring road), the N430 (Nieuwewandeling-Blaisantvest), the B401 (E17 slip roads) and the N422 (Gent Zuid car park approach and exit roads) are not included in the low emission zone. You can enter your destination in the search bar to see on this interactive map whether it falls within the LEZ (the pink zone).
Special traffic signs will be installed at the border of the low emission zone so as to indicate that you are about to enter the LEZ. Check our website to see the traffic signs.
Yes, you can, but your only option is Gent-Zuid car park (P3). The maximum height of that car park is 2 metres. Take the exit Gent Centrum on the E17 motorway and then continue your journey on the B401 motorway. Keep to the right lane to turn left towards Zuidparklaan/N422. You can now enter the Gent-Zuid car park (P3).
If you want to leave the Gent-Zuid car park (P3) without entering the low emission zone, you have to leave the car park via Franklin Rooseveltlaan and then continue your journey towards Gustaaf Callierlaan until you reach the Ghent ring road (R40). All these roads fall outside the low emission zone.
You can also opt for one of the other underground car parks in the centre of the city, but you have to take into account the entry requirements for the low emission zone if you do so.
You can enter the Gent-Zuid car park with any vehicle via the entrance on Zuidparklaan. If you enter the car park via this entrance (height 2m), you do not drive in the low-emission zone.
If the Gent Zuid car park is full, this is announced in advance.
The approach route is also the recommended route to reach the emergency department, where separate parking spaces are available. Note: This exception does not apply to the car park of AZ Sint-Lucas - Campus Volkskliniek on Tichelrei.
Yes, you can. Take the Ghent ring road (R40) and Blaisantvest, then enter 'Terhagen', a street which leads you straight to the AZ Sint-Lucas hospital's car park. This route is also the designated route to reach the emergency department, where separate parking is provided. All these roads fall outside the low emission zone, which means you can always reach AZ Sint-Lucas hospital.
Yes, you can. As long as your garage or driveway is located on the Ghent ring road (R40), you can get there with a vehicle not allowed to enter the LEZ without risking a fine.
Note: if your garage or driveway is located on a side street of the Ghent ring road (R40) and this side street is located in the low emission zone, you may get a fine.
Yes, you can. Park and ride sites at the edge of the city offer many parking possibilities. You can then continue your journey by tram, (shared) bike or bus.
Or you arrive by train. You can take the bus or tram to the city centre from Gent Sint-Pieters and Gent Dampoort railway stations. Or you can continue on foot or by bike: the railway stations are within walking distance of the city centre.
No, there is no difference. The low emission zone applies to anyone who wants to drive a vehicle. There is only 1 exception to this rule: If you live in the LEZ, and you own a Euro 4 standard diesel-powered vehicle and you are entitled to increased health care reimbursements, than you are eligible for a permit against payment at the reduced tariff.
This is not possible at the moment. A resident parking permit only gives you the right to park your car for free in the neighbourhood where you live. You cannot park your car in your neighbourhood if you are not allowed to enter the LEZ with your car, unless your car qualifies for a temporary permit.
Did you buy a second resident parking permit for a car with which you are not allowed to enter the LEZ? In that case, you should contact the municipal parking authority by calling +32 (0)9 266 28 00 or by sending an email to mobiliteit.parkeervergunningen@stad.gent.
Air quality
The introduction of a LEZ is one of the most effective measures to improve the air quality. A LEZ especially has a favourable impact on soot concentrations. In collaboration with the Environment, Nature and Energy Department of the Flemish Government, the City of Ghent's Environment and Climate Department has made a rough estimate of the impact of a LEZ in Ghent. The introduction of a LEZ in Ghent may decrease soot concentrations by an average of 10 to 24%. To achieve a similar root concentration decrease without introducing a LEZ, traffic would have to decrease by 63%.
Ghent strives for healthier air for all. There are different causes of air pollution in this city and port. One of these causes is traffic, but the air quality is also affected by industrial plants in the canal zone and wood stove heating. The City of Ghent has therefore combined a package of measures into an air action plan. This action plan was drawn up in collaboration with the Flemish authorities, the Ghent Port Authority and the municipalities of Zelzate and Evergem. This 2016-2020 Air Action Plan is intended to tackle air pollution across all sources.
This means it is not a matter of choice. It is exactly the total package of measures, which includes the introduction of a low-emission zone, that will result in healthier air. In addition, soot and particulate matter emissions are especially harmful in the nearby living and working environment. So the focus should be on reducing the emissions in the city itself.
Premiums and subsidies
In Ghent, inhabitants of the low-emission zone could apply for a scrapping premium with an unauthorised vehicle until 31 December 2020. This is no longer possible.
If you are a Ghent resident or entrepreneur, you may qualify for one of the premiums or subsidies.
Do you live in the low emission zone and your car is not admitted to the LEZ? Then you can have your car scrapped by an approved demolition centre. You can then apply for a scrapping premium: this amounts to 750 euros for an old petrol-powered car and 1000 euros for an old diesel-powerd car.
More Information?
Information about the LEZ is available in four languages on the following pages:
You can use our online tool to register your vehicle, buy a permit or check your car in these four languages. You can also request multilingual brochures via lez@stad.gent.
You can contact the LEZ team via lez@stad.gent or by calling the number 09 210 10 30. You can also make an appointment to speak to an employee of the LEZ team.
Yes, there are. Do you want to inform your customers, staff or pupils about the low emission zone? Readymade materials are available.
If you want to use these materials, please send an email to lez@stad.gent.