Brussels LEZ Fines Take Effect: Older Cars Face €350 Penalty
After months of political turmoil and multiple postponements, Brussels has begun enforcing €350 fines for older, polluting vehicles entering the city’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ). As of July 1, 2026, diesel Euro 5 vehicles — registered between January 2011 and August 2015 — and petrol Euro 2 vehicles — registered between 1997 and 2000 — are subject to immediate penalties if they enter any of the 19 communes of the Brussels-Capital Region, according to La Libre Belgique.
A Long and Contentious Road to Enforcement
The enforcement of these fines marks the end of an 18-month saga that tested the fragile Dilliès coalition government. The Brussels Parliament had initially voted in October 2024 to postpone the so-called “2025 milestone” — which would have banned Euro 5 diesels — to January 2027. However, Belgium’s Constitutional Court struck down that postponement on September 11, 2025, ruling that it violated citizens’ right to health under the “standstill principle.”
This reinstated the original calendar from January 1, 2026, but created a political vacuum. The newly formed government under Minister-President Boris Dilliès (MR) struggled to implement the fines, leading to a series of delays that VRT NWS described as a period where drivers received warning letters but no actual penalties.
Who Is Affected?
More than 13,000 vehicles that had already received warning letters between January and March 2026 are now at immediate risk of fines, as reported by BRUZZ. Across Belgium, over 600,000 vehicles fall under the targeted categories, of which 23,300 are registered in the Brussels-Capital Region — including approximately 15,000 passenger cars.
The fine is set at €350 per infraction, capped at one fine per quarter, meaning a maximum of €1,400 per year. The LEZ is monitored 24/7 by 353 automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras covering all 19 communes. Only the Ring R0 and access roads to park-and-ride facilities are exempt.
Political Crisis and Compromise
The enforcement saga reached its peak in late March 2026, when Finance Minister Dirk De Smedt (Anders) unilaterally suspended fines just days before they were scheduled to begin on April 1. This triggered the first government crisis of the Dilliès coalition, exposing deep divisions between environmental advocates and parties concerned with social and economic impacts.
A compromise was reached on April 4, setting a new target date of June 7, which was further pushed back to July 1. According to the Brussels Governance Monitor, the delay was attributed to “technical and administrative” challenges in adapting the fining system.
Environmental Impact and Future Plans
Since the LEZ was introduced in 2018, the results have been measurable: nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions have been reduced by 55%, fine particulate matter (PM) by 33%, and black carbon by 60%. The 2026 phase targets approximately 225,000 unique vehicles per quarter, representing 7% of the Brussels vehicle fleet.
Looking ahead, the Dilliès government is preparing a comprehensive reform expected in 2027. The proposed changes include an annual pass costing €350 (with a reduced social rate of €200 for beneficiaries of the increased intervention — BIM status), a reduced monthly fine of €80, and installment payment plans. However, the Council of State has issued a critical opinion on reducing fines, warning it may violate the constitutional standstill principle that protects environmental gains.
What’s Next for Drivers
Affected owners have several options: pay the €350 quarterly fine, purchase day passes at €35 each (up to 24 per year), wait for the proposed annual pass expected in 2027, replace their vehicle with a compliant model (minimum Euro 6d-TEMP diesel or Euro 5 petrol), or take advantage of the Bruxell’Air scrapping premium ranging from €566 to €1,132.
The next major milestone arrives on January 1, 2027, when petrol Euro 3 vehicles — approximately 400,000 cars across Belgium — will be banned. By 2030, all diesel vehicles will be prohibited from entering Brussels, and by 2035, only electric and hydrogen vehicles will be permitted.
The Oldtimer Loophole
A growing concern for regulators is the exploitation of the oldtimer exemption. Vehicles over 30 years old with special “O” plates are automatically exempt from LEZ restrictions. The number of oldtimers detected in the LEZ has surged from 3,936 in 2019 to 13,799 in 2024, with those driving 100 or more days per year rising from just 17 in 2019 to 156 in 2025. The 2027 reform is expected to address this loophole.
As Brussels finally begins enforcing its LEZ fines, the city takes a significant step forward in its environmental ambitions — but the political and social challenges are far from over.