Dutch Low-Emission Zones (Milieuzones): Which Cars Can Enter Which Cities

Prices, fees and rules in this article were checked on 29 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked pages before you decide.

Short answer: Dutch environmental zones (milieuzones) for passenger cars apply only to diesel cars; according to milieuzones.nl, cars on other fuels may always enter. Whether a diesel car may enter depends on its emission class (emissieklasse): The Hague’s centre admits diesel cars of class 4 and higher, while Utrecht and Arnhem require at least class 5 (checked 29 October 2026, can change). Enter your licence plate in the Milieuzonecheck before you drive in. Cameras enforce the zones and fines are sent by the CJIB.

If you bought a used car after moving to the Netherlands, or you are driving into a Dutch city for a weekend, it is easy to miss the new zone signs at the edge of the centre. This guide explains how the zones work, which rules apply in the cities with car zones, and how to check your own vehicle.

1. City rules at a glance

Sources: Gemeente Den Haag, Gemeente Utrecht, Gemeente Amsterdam and milieuzones.nl, checked 29 October 2026. Local rules can change; always check the municipality’s own page.

2. How milieuzones work

A milieuzone is an area, usually a city centre, where older and more polluting vehicles may not drive. Municipalities set up the zones; the national information site milieuzones.nl brings the rules together. Its main points, checked on 29 October 2026:

• The emission class of your vehicle determines whether you may enter.
• Zones exist for diesel passenger cars and vans, diesel trucks and diesel buses. Vehicles that run on a fuel other than diesel may always enter a milieuzone.
• Since 1 January 2026, milieuzones are marked with a new traffic sign. Municipalities with a zone were to place the sign within the first six months of 2026.

The reliable way to know your car’s emission class is the official check described below, rather than a figure from a sales advert.

3. How to check your car

Enter your licence plate (kenteken) in the Milieuzonecheck on milieuzones.nl. It shows whether your vehicle may enter the milieuzones. Keep its limits in mind:

• The check does not take local exemptions and permits into account.
• The check says nothing about access to zero-emission zones (see section 6).
• According to the municipalities of The Hague and Utrecht, the online plate checks do not work for foreign licence plates, or for CD, GN or BN plates.

You can also read the emission class from your registration documents. If you recently imported a car, see our guide to exchanging a foreign driving licence for the licence side, and our electric car tax guide if you are considering a switch.

4. The cities in detail

The Hague

The Hague’s centre zone lies inside the Centrumring (S100) and the Professor B.M. Teldersweg (S200). Diesel passenger cars need emission class 4 or higher; classes 0 to 3 may not enter. Diesel buses need class 6. Diesel vans and trucks fall under a separate zero-emission zone, and the harbour area has its own rules.

Exemptions listed by the municipality include diesel cars and buses aged 40 years or older, passenger cars registered with body code “SH” for transporting wheelchair users (a disabled parking card alone is not enough), and campervans in category M1 whose owners live in the zone. Owners of a vehicle adapted for disabled passengers at a cost of at least €500 can apply for an exemption (checked 29 October 2026, can change).

Utrecht

Utrecht requires diesel passenger cars to have at least emission class 5. Petrol cars may enter without a permit. A planned extension of the zone to the whole built-up area from 1 January 2027 cannot go ahead for now, the municipality says, so the zone continues to cover the centre. Utrecht offers a scrappage subsidy for diesel passenger cars of emission class 0 to 4, available at least until 31 December 2026 (checked 29 October 2026, can change). Permits are possible for medically adapted cars and in special situations.

Arnhem

According to milieuzones.nl, Arnhem’s milieuzone remains in place for diesel passenger cars of at least emission class 5 and for diesel buses. Arnhem also introduced a zero-emission zone for trucks and vans on 1 June 2026.

Amsterdam

The Gemeente Amsterdam says its milieuzone for passenger cars covers the area inside the A10 ring road. Diesel cars of emission class 4 or lower may not enter, even with a soot filter, and the same applies to diesel hybrids of class 4 or lower. Diesel cars of class 5 or higher, and cars on petrol, LPG or CNG, may enter. Without an exemption request, diesel cars aged 40 or more and diesel cars registered as wheelchair-accessible (body code SH, or special codes 70, 145, 146, 147 or 149) may still drive in. Amsterdam had announced a zero-emission zone for passenger cars from 2030, but says this will not go ahead for now, because no national law yet allows it. Rules checked on amsterdam.nl on 29 October 2026; they can change.

5. Exemptions that apply everywhere

The municipality of Utrecht states that two groups are exempt in all Dutch milieuzones:

• Classic vehicles aged 40 years or older.
• Wheelchair-accessible vehicles listed as such in the RDW register.

Other exemptions, such as for residents’ campervans or hardship cases, are local. Apply to the municipality before you drive into the zone, because the exemption must be in place when the camera records your plate.

6. Zero-emission zones for vans and trucks

Milieuzones should not be confused with zero-emission zones (zero-emissiezones), which apply to trucks and vans. According to milieuzones.nl, several municipalities introduced zero-emission zones for trucks and vans on 1 January 2025, and vans in those zones must be emission-free from that date. A transitional scheme applies to some vehicle categories until 2030. The Milieuzonecheck does not cover these zones, so van drivers and self-employed people with a company van need to check them separately.

7. Cameras and fines

The Hague enforces its zone with cameras and enforcement officers. Fines are issued by the Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau (CJIB), and objections go to the CJIB as explained in the fine letter. The Hague also lets you request the photo evidence by email with your plate number, the date and a copy of your registration document. The fine amount is stated on the letter; for how CJIB fines work in general, see our guide to Dutch traffic fines.

8. Checklist before you drive into a city

1. Check your fuel type: petrol and electric cars are not restricted by milieuzones.
2. Diesel? Enter your plate in the Milieuzonecheck on milieuzones.nl.
3. Compare your class with the city: class 4 for The Hague’s centre, class 5 for Utrecht and Arnhem (checked 29 October 2026, can change).
4. Driving a van or truck? Check the zero-emission zone rules separately.
5. Foreign plate? The online checks may not work; read the municipality’s page.
6. Need an exemption? Apply before you enter the zone.
7. Look out for the new zone sign at the edge of the centre.
8. Use a park-and-ride if your car does not qualify.

9. FAQ

Can I drive an old petrol car into a Dutch milieuzone?

Yes. According to milieuzones.nl, vehicles running on fuels other than diesel may always enter a milieuzone. Zero-emission zones for vans and trucks are a separate matter.

My diesel car is class 4. Where can I go?

The Hague’s centre admits class 4 diesel cars. Utrecht and Arnhem require class 5 (checked 29 October 2026, can change).

Does the Milieuzonecheck include my exemption?

No. The check does not consider local exemptions or permits, and it does not cover zero-emission zones.

Who sends the fine?

In The Hague, fines are issued by the CJIB, and you object through the CJIB.

🇳🇱 Dutch Corner

Sources

• Milieuzones.nl (emission class rule, non-diesel access, new sign 2026, Milieuzonecheck limits, Arnhem, zero-emission zones; checked 29 Oct 2026)
• Gemeente Den Haag: Milieuzone centrum (class 4, exemptions, cameras, CJIB)
• Gemeente Utrecht: Eisen personenauto voor milieuzone (class 5, national exemptions, 2027 extension, scrappage subsidy)
• Gemeente Amsterdam: Regels milieuzone personenauto’s (A10 zone, class 5, exemptions, 2030 plan dropped)