Netherlands Low Emission Zones (Milieuzone) 2026 — Cities, Rules & Fines
Every Dutch milieuzone in one place: which cities restrict older diesels, whether a sticker is needed, camera enforcement, and the fine for driving in without meeting the rules.
Dutch cities run a milieuzone (environmental zone) that mainly shuts out older diesels — and like the UK, there’s no sticker: cameras read your plate automatically. Amsterdam is the strictest and is moving toward a full zero-emission zone; Rotterdam, Utrecht and others each set their own minimum Euro standard.
Check your exact vehicle with the Emission Zone Checker, or browse every in-force Dutch zone below — each links to that city’s full rules.
| City / Zone | Type | Min petrol | Min diesel | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Milieuzone | — | Euro 4 | Milieuzone violation fine, nationally set (~EUR 160 in 2025); our recorded EUR 230 is unverified and likely too high |
| Arnhem | Milieuzone | — | Euro 5 | Approx EUR 150 for passenger cars/vans (EUR 230 applies to trucks); ANPR camera-enforced |
| Breda | Milieuzone | — | — | ~EUR100 milieuzone violation (trucks; exact amount per national feitcode) |
| Delft | Milieuzone | — | — | Not stated on the official page; national Dutch milieuzone violation fine applies (page lists paid exemptions instead: day exemption EUR 30.30, long-term exemption EUR 144.70) |
| Den Bosch | Milieuzone | — | — | n/a - no Euro-class milieuzone in force for passenger cars |
| Eindhoven | Milieuzone | — | — | Not established for the bus zone; standard Dutch milieuzone violation fines apply to buses only, not to cars (no car penalty exists) |
| Eindhoven | Milieuzone | — | — | Not established for the bus zone; standard Dutch milieuzone violation fines apply to buses only, not to cars (no car penalty exists) |
| Haarlem | Milieuzone | — | — | Applies to commercial vehicles only; no charge/fine for passenger cars |
| Leiden | Milieuzone | — | — | Enforcement applies to commercial vans/trucks entering non-compliant; no fine for passenger cars (cars unrestricted) |
| The Hague | Milieuzone | — | Euro 4 | EUR 130 + EUR 9 admin costs (2026 national fine table); commonly cited as EUR 150 - NOT EUR 230. Issued by CJIB via ANPR cameras. |
| Utrecht | Milieuzone | — | Euro 4 | Nationally fixed Mulder fine for entering a milieuzone with a non-compliant diesel vehicle (commonly cited around EUR 300 in 2026; the exact current amount could not be confirmed from an official source this session - our EUR 230 figure may be outdated) |
11 zones currently in force · verified against official sources. Click any city for its full rules and the exact sticker or permit.
How the Dutch milieuzone works
The Netherlands relies on camera enforcement, not a sticker. Each city’s milieuzone sets a minimum Euro class — most commonly aimed at diesel cars and vans below Euro 4 — and Amsterdam is phasing in tighter limits year by year on the way to a zero-emission zone for vans and lorries. Petrol cars are usually unaffected, but always confirm, because the rules differ between cities and change on a published timetable.
Before you drive
- Check your diesel’s Euro class — most Dutch zones target older diesels specifically.
- There’s no sticker to buy; enforcement is automatic by plate.
- Amsterdam’s rules are the strictest and tighten regularly — verify the current year’s limit.
For neighbouring countries, see our emission zones in Germany guide and the full State of Europe’s Emission Zones 2026 report.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No sticker is required. Dutch milieuzones are enforced by ANPR camera against your number plate — foreign vehicles included. The zones mainly target older diesel cars, vans and lorries below a set Euro standard.
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Arnhem and others, with Amsterdam running the strictest rules and a roadmap toward zero-emission zones. The full in-force list is in the table below.
Fines are issued automatically by camera and passed to hire drivers with an admin fee. The exact amount and the minimum Euro standard vary by city — check your car and the specific zone before you drive.