Driving in Amsterdam: Milieuzone Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands · Low emission zone

What applies

Amsterdam operates a "blue" milieuzone, and it only restricts diesel. A diesel car or van needs emission class 5 or higher to enter; classes 0 to 4 are banned. If your car runs on petrol or LPG, or is electric, you may enter every Dutch milieuzone regardless of its age. Amsterdam additionally runs a separate milieuzone for mopeds and scooters.

Source: Milieuzones in Nederland, read 2026-09-02
Full citation

Milieuzones in Nederland (joint Dutch municipalities)

Daily charge

There is no charge and no day pass. A vehicle either meets the emission class and enters free, or it is banned.

When it operates

The national milieuzones.nl pages read on 2026-09-02 describe the zone through its road signs and emission classes, not through operating hours. The absence of stated hours is not a source confirming it runs 24/7, so nothing is claimed. Amsterdam's own page would settle it, but see the note on the sources below.

Area covered

The national site names Amsterdam as having a milieuzone but does not describe its boundary. The boundary is published by the Gemeente Amsterdam, whose site served an automated anti-bot block on 2026-09-02 and could not be read. Not restated from general knowledge.

Petrol standard

No restriction. Petrol and LPG cars and vans, and electric ones, may enter every Dutch milieuzone whatever their age.

Source: Milieuzones in Nederland, read 2026-09-02
Full citation

Milieuzones in Nederland (joint Dutch municipalities)

Diesel standard

Diesel cars and vans need emission class 5 or higher. Emission classes 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 are not allowed in. This is the "blue" milieuzone standard, which Amsterdam shares with Arnhem and Utrecht.

Source: Milieuzones in Nederland, read 2026-09-02
Full citation

Milieuzones in Nederland (joint Dutch municipalities)

Penalty if you do not comply

The national milieuzones.nl pages read on 2026-09-02 do not state the fine for entering with a banned vehicle. Not estimated.

How to comply
  • If you drive petrol, LPG or electric, there is nothing to do: the milieuzone does not restrict you.
  • If you drive diesel, check your emission class. Class 5 or higher gets you in; 4 or lower does not.
  • Since 1 January 2026 milieuzones are marked with a new road sign, which municipalities are rolling out during the first six months of the year — so the signage you meet may differ from older photographs.
  • A separate zero-emission zone scheme applies to vans and lorries in a growing list of Dutch cities, and it is stricter than the milieuzone. The only official place to apply for an exemption is the RDW; the national site warns that other sites charging for exemptions are not official.
Source: Milieuzones in Nederland, read 2026-09-02
Full citation

Milieuzones in Nederland (joint Dutch municipalities)

See the zone on a map

Sources

Next scheduled re-check: 2026-12-01.

Before you set off

Other cities in Netherlands