Driving in Belgium from the UK: low-emission zones and rules

There is no motorway vignette or distance toll for cars. Belgium's kilometre charge, coordinated by Viapass, applies to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes used for the transport of goods. The Liefkenshoek tunnel in Antwerp is a separate tolled crossing, but its price could not be verified on the operator's site (see “Not confirmed yet” below).

Antwerp (city centre and Linkeroever) and Ghent (inside the ring road) are Flemish LEZs that apply 24/7. Diesel cars of Euro 5 or 6 and petrol cars of Euro 2 or newer may enter, but foreign-registered cars must be registered once, free, no later than the day after entering; the Flemish Government withdrew its planned tightening on 28 November 2025 and will evaluate again from 2027. Almost the entire Brussels-Capital Region is a separate LEZ: since 1 January 2026 diesel cars must be Euro 6 and petrol cars Euro 3, and all foreign cars except Dutch ones must register separately (free, valid 5 years). Brussels plans further steps in 2028 and 2030.

• Antwerp: Lage-emissiezone (LEZ) Antwerpen

  Applies 24/7 to all vehicles in the city centre and Linkeroever. Diesel Euro 5 and 6 and petrol Euro 2 to 6 are admitted; diesel Euro 4 or older and petrol Euro 1 or older need an LEZ day pass (45 EUR, valid until 6am next day, maximum 12 a year, Antwerp only). Foreign number plates must be registered once, free (Dutch plates excepted). Fines: 150 EUR first offence, 250 EUR for a second within 12 months, 350 EUR for further offences within 12 months.^[3]

  Official page (opens in a new tab)↗

• Ghent: Lage-emissiezone (LEZ) Gent

  Ghent's inner city within the ring road. Diesel Euro 5 and 6 and petrol Euro 2 to 6 have free access; diesel Euro 4 access after payment; older vehicles need an LEZ day pass (45 EUR, up to 12 times a year, buy no later than the day after entering). Foreign number plates must always be registered (free). Smart cameras check plates; the fine is 185 EUR per day and fines on UK plates may be passed to a UK debt collection partner.^[4]

  Official page (opens in a new tab)↗

• Brussels: Low Emission Zone, Brussels-Capital Region

  Covers almost the whole Region (except some roads to the Ring, certain hospitals and P+R car parks), checked by 353 cameras. Since 1 January 2026 Euro 5 diesel and Euro 2 petrol vehicles no longer meet the criteria (cars now need diesel Euro 6 or petrol Euro 3). All foreign vehicles except Dutch ones must register, free, before or within 5 days of entering; registration lasts 5 years. Day pass for a non-compliant car 35 EUR, up to 24 a year. Fines: 350 EUR for a non-compliant vehicle without a day pass or exemption, 150 EUR for an unregistered foreign vehicle (even if compliant), 25 EUR for incorrect registration details; at most one fine per vehicle every three months. For vehicles newly affected in 2026, the first offence brings a warning letter.^[5]

  Official page (opens in a new tab)↗

• Brussels: Brussels LEZ timetable (published April 2026)

  Cars and small vans: from 2028 diesel must be Euro 6d and petrol Euro 4; from 2030 diesel cars are banned and petrol cars must be Euro 6d; from 2035 petrol cars are banned. No new step is shown for 2027.^[6]

  Official page (opens in a new tab)↗

• Warning triangle.^[7]
• Drivers must wear a retro-reflective safety vest when outside a broken-down vehicle on motorways and motor roads where stopping and parking are prohibited.^[7]
• FCDO travel advice: always carry your driving licence, car registration documents, insurance papers, MOT certificate and the passports of everyone in the car.^[8]

Built-up areas

50 km/h^[7]

Outside built-up areas

90 km/h^[7]

Motorways

120 km/h^[7]

Drink-drive limit

0.5 g/l for standard and novice drivers (0.2 g/l for professional drivers)^[7]

Outside built-up areas 90 km/h, but 70 km/h in the Flemish Region; motorways and roads with two or more lanes each way 120 km/h; 30 km/h near schools and in bicycle streets; 20 km/h in residential areas.

• You can use a UK photocard driving licence for up to 6 months without an international driving permit (IDP). With a paper licence, update it to a photocard or get an IDP.^[9]
• Display a UK sticker unless your number plate shows the UK identifier with the Union flag.^[10]
• Take your log book (V5C) and your insurance certificate; you do not need a green card in the EU but must have valid insurance.^[11]
• FCDO travel advice: there are low emission zones in Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp and you need to pre-register foreign vehicles on the Brussels, Ghent or Antwerp websites.^[8]
• FCDO travel advice: police use speed traps, cameras and unmarked vehicles, speeding can bring an on-the-spot fine, and using a mobile phone while driving is illegal unless hands-free.^[8]

For documents, insurance, pets and border checks that apply to every country, see the driving to Europe checklist.