Netherlands: milieuzones and the diesel emission class
Checked 3 Nov 2026
The Netherlands has milieuzones for diesel cars in four cities: Amsterdam, Arnhem, The Hague and Utrecht. Petrol, LPG and electric cars may enter all of them. A diesel car needs emission class 4 in The Hague and class 5 in Amsterdam, Arnhem and Utrecht.
Source Milieuzones in Nederland (Rijksoverheid) Checked 3 Nov 2026
- Low-emission zone
Milieuzone boundaries: NDW, snapshot of 2 November 2026, CC0 1.0, simplified. Country outline: Natural Earth, public domain.
Which cars the zones apply to
The milieuzone rules apply to diesel cars and vans. Petrol, LPG and electric cars may drive into every milieuzone in the country.
Source Milieuzones in Nederland (Rijksoverheid) Checked 3 Nov 2026
The four cities and their rule
| City | Zone | Diesel emission class needed |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Blue | 5 or higher |
| Arnhem | Blue | 5 or higher |
| Utrecht | Blue | 5 or higher |
| The Hague | Green | 4 or higher |
Source Milieuzones in Nederland (Rijksoverheid) Checked 3 Nov 2026
Zero-emission zones for vans and lorries
Since 1 January 2025 several municipalities also have a zero-emission zone. These zones apply to lorries and vans, not to passenger cars; a diesel van needs a transition rule or must be electric.
Source Milieuzones in Nederland (Rijksoverheid) Checked 3 Nov 2026