Brussels to Begin Fining Non-Compliant LEZ Vehicles in July

After years of political wrangling, legal battles, and multiple delays, the Brussels-Capital Region will finally begin issuing fines for vehicles that do not comply with its Low Emission Zone (LEZ) regulations starting in July 2026. The enforcement marks a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to improve urban air quality, though questions remain about the fine structure and the fate of a broader reform package still under debate.

The Long Road to Enforcement

The ban on Euro 5 diesel vehicles (registered before September 2015) and Euro 2 petrol vehicles (registered before 2001) has been legally in force since January 1, 2026. However, fines have been suspended due to a series of political and technical delays. The current enforcement date of July 1 was confirmed by Brussels Finance Minister Dirk De Smedt (Anders) after earlier targets of April 1 and June 7 were abandoned, as reported by La Libre Belgique.

Approximately 225,000 vehicles nationwide are affected, including 33,000 registered in Brussels itself — representing roughly 7% of the region’s vehicle fleet. The LEZ covers all 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, monitored by 353 automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.

Fine Structure and the Annual Pass

Under the current legal framework, non-compliant drivers face fines of €350 per infraction, with a maximum of one fine per quarter and an annual cap of €1,400. However, the Brussels government has announced that the first fine will effectively function as an annual pass (“pass annuel”) of €350 for the year — a significant departure from the letter of the existing law.

A comprehensive reform is being debated in the Brussels Parliament that would formalize this arrangement. The proposed reform includes a monthly fine of €80, an annual pass of €350, a social tariff of €200 for holders of BIM (increased assistance) status, and the option of installment payments. State Secretary for Environment Ans Persoons (Vooruit) confirmed to the Brussels Parliament on June 3 that the government aims to decide on the draft derogation and ordinance in June, with the goal of finalizing the reform by the end of the year.

A History of Delays and Legal Challenges

The LEZ saga has been marked by political turbulence. The original calendar, established in 2017, set 2025 as the deadline for banning Euro 5 diesel and Euro 2 petrol vehicles. In October 2024, the previous MR-PS-Engagés government attempted to postpone this deadline to January 1, 2027. However, the Constitutional Court annulled the postponement on September 11, 2025, ruling that it violated the constitutional right to health and a healthy environment.

This ruling reinstated the original timeline, making the ban legally effective from January 1, 2026, though with a three-month tolerance period during which no fines were issued. The current Dilliès government, sworn in on February 14, 2026, campaigned on reducing fines and making the system more accessible, but has struggled with implementation.

In early May 2026, Brussels Taxation sent 12,000 warning letters to affected vehicle owners, though these carried no financial penalty. The road users’ organization Touring has called for urgent clarification from the Brussels government, requesting that the first offense be met with a warning rather than an immediate fine, and demanding greater transparency on the number of affected vehicles.

Air Quality and Environmental Impact

The LEZ was established to improve air quality in one of Europe’s most densely populated urban regions. According to available data, the zone has already contributed to a 40% reduction in NOx emissions from road transport. However, between 2024 and 2025, average annual NO2 concentrations slightly increased, attributed mainly to less favorable weather conditions.

Future milestones under the LEZ calendar include a ban on petrol Euro 3 vehicles (2001–2005 registrations) from January 1, 2027, a complete ban on all diesel vehicles from 2030, and a ban on all petrol and hybrid vehicles from 2035, after which only electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles will be permitted.

What Lies Ahead

Several critical questions remain unanswered. The Council of State has issued a critical opinion on the proposed fine reduction, warning that it may violate the constitutional principle of “standstill” in environmental protection — the same principle the Constitutional Court used to strike down the earlier postponement. If the reform is blocked, the existing €350-per-quarter framework would remain in effect.

For affected drivers, the choices are clear: pay the €350 annual pass, purchase day passes at €35 each (up to 24 per year), replace their vehicle with a compliant model, or risk fines. The Brussels experience is being closely watched by other Belgian cities with LEZs, including Antwerp and Ghent, as a test case for enforcement of urban air quality measures.

The coming weeks will determine whether the Brussels government can finally bring legal clarity to a process that has been anything but smooth. For now, July 1 stands as the date when the LEZ fines — after years of debate — will finally become a reality.