LEZ in Belgium: Is your diesel van still allowed in Brussels, Antwerp, or Ghent?
Anyone driving an older diesel van, delivery van, or camper van in Belgium needs to pay extra attention to low-emission zones. Especially if you're heading towards Brussels, Antwerp, or Ghent. A low-emission zone, usually abbreviated as LEZ, is a defined area where vehicles that emit too many pollutants are not simply allowed to enter.
By Laurens De Leeuw · 23 June 2026
Anyone driving an older diesel van, delivery van, or camper van in Belgium needs to pay extra attention to low-emission zones. Especially if you're heading towards Brussels, Antwerp, or Ghent.
A low-emission zone, usually abbreviated as LEZ, is a defined area where vehicles that emit too many pollutants are not simply allowed to enter. The rules are particularly important for older diesels, but some older petrol vehicles can also be affected.
For vanlifers, this is an important topic. Many self-built camper vans, older delivery vans, and affordable second-hand vans still run on diesel. That can work perfectly for travel, but it doesn't automatically mean you can still enter every city.
The short version: **always check your vehicle before entering Brussels, Antwerp, or Ghent.** The rules differ per city, and the official check tools are the safest way to avoid fines.
Why LEZ is so important for vanlifers
Vanlifers often drive vehicles that fall into the risk group. Think of older Mercedes Sprinters, Volkswagen Transporters, Ford Transits, Renault Masters, Opel Movanos, Iveco Dailys, Fiat Ducatos, or other delivery vans converted into camper vans.
Many of these vehicles are still technically fine. They drive well, are affordable, have space, and are ideal for DIY conversions. But for an LEZ, the emission standard is what counts most, not how much love you've put into your conversion.
The city doesn't look at "vanlife," but at data such as:
- fuel type
- Euro standard
- vehicle category
- date of first registration
- license plate
- possibly country of registration
- possible registration, authorization, or day pass
That's why an old diesel van can drive perfectly through the Ardennes but still cause problems as soon as you enter an LEZ.
What is a Euro standard?
The Euro standard is a European emission standard that indicates how many pollutants a vehicle may emit. The higher the Euro standard, the newer and usually cleaner the vehicle.
For diesel vehicles, this standard is extra important because older diesels often emit more nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. That's why LEZ rules are usually stricter for diesel than for petrol, LPG, or CNG.
For older delivery vans and camper vans, you often see standards like Euro 3, Euro 4, Euro 5, or Euro 6. In practice, the following is particularly important:
A diesel Euro 6 is usually much safer.
A diesel Euro 5 is still treated differently in Antwerp and Ghent than in Brussels.
A diesel Euro 4 or lower almost always requires an extra check.
An old camper van or delivery van without a clear Euro standard on paper should definitely be checked using the official tool.
Brussels: stricter for diesel since 2026
Brussels is the strictest of the three for older diesel vans.
The Brussels LEZ applies to the Brussels-Capital Region, so not just the City of Brussels, but all 19 municipalities of the region. The LEZ is permanently active: 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.
According to the official Brussels LEZ info, diesel vehicles, including cars, delivery vans, buses, and trucks, must currently be at least Euro 6 to drive in the LEZ without a fine. Petrol, CNG, and LPG vehicles must be at least Euro 3.
As of January 1, 2026, Euro 5 diesel vehicles and Euro 2 petrol vehicles no longer meet the Brussels access criteria.
For vanlifers, this means very concretely: **a Euro 5 diesel van that may still be allowed in Antwerp or Ghent is therefore not automatically allowed into Brussels.**
This difference is important, as many people think that LEZ rules are the same everywhere in Belgium. That is not correct.
Brussels: day pass and warning
For vehicles that do not meet the Brussels LEZ criteria, you can, in some cases, buy a day pass. For a car, delivery van, bus, or coach, such a Brussels day pass costs 35 euros. You can use a maximum of 24 day passes per calendar year and per license plate.
A day pass is valid for the chosen calendar day until 6 AM the next day. You can buy it in advance or at the latest within five days after entering the LEZ.
Note: this is not a free ticket to ignore the rules. You must apply for the day pass correctly via the official Brussels LEZ website.
For vehicles newly excluded since January 1, 2026, such as Euro 5 diesel and Euro 2 petrol, Brussels states that drivers may first receive a warning after a first violation. A fine may then follow if you are not in order again. For vehicles that were already prohibited before this new step, this warning does not apply in the same way.
The safe approach therefore remains: check in advance, and arrange a day pass or exemption if necessary.
Antwerp: Euro 5 diesel remains permitted in 2026
Antwerp also has an LEZ, but the rules are not identical to Brussels.
In Flanders, Antwerp and Ghent are currently the cities with a low-emission zone. The Flemish Government has decided to withdraw the planned tightening of the LEZ access criteria in 2026 and 2028. As a result, Euro 5 diesels will remain permitted in the Flemish low-emission zones.
For Antwerp, this means that diesel Euro 5 and Euro 6 automatically have access. Diesel Euro 4 can, in certain cases, still enter with a paid authorization. Diesel Euro 3 or lower usually only comes into consideration via an LEZ day pass or specific arrangement.
But don't rely solely on this general summary. Antwerp has an official check tool. You must use it, especially for delivery vans, camper vans, foreign license plates, or vehicles where the Euro standard is not clear.
Antwerp: day pass, authorization, and foreign license plate
Antwerp works with a system of automatic access, registration, paid authorization, and day passes.
A vehicle that is automatically admitted usually does not need to do anything extra with a Belgian license plate. For foreign license plates, registration may be necessary, unless the data is automatically available.
If your vehicle is not automatically admitted, you can sometimes buy a temporary authorization. For vehicles that are not eligible for this, there is the LEZ day pass. According to Antwerp's info, non-admitted vehicles can enter the zone a maximum of 12 times a year with an LEZ day pass.
Important: an Antwerp day pass is not a Brussels day pass and not a Ghent day pass. Each city has its own system.
Ghent: same Flemish basis, own Ghent application
Ghent also has an LEZ in the city center. Here too, polluting vehicles that do not meet the admission requirements are not allowed into the zone.
Because Ghent falls under the Flemish LEZ rules, diesel vehicles with Euro standard 5 and petrol vehicles with Euro standard 2 will continue to have access in 2026. Here too, Ghent therefore deviates from Brussels, where Euro 5 diesel no longer complies since 2026.
Ghent has its own check tool with which you can check whether your vehicle is automatically admitted. If your vehicle is not automatically admitted, depending on your situation, you can register, buy an authorization, or buy an LEZ day pass.
Ghent: day pass and fine
In Ghent, you can buy an LEZ day pass for any vehicle a maximum of 12 times per calendar year. This day pass grants access to the Ghent LEZ on the chosen day until 6 AM the next day.
The Ghent day pass costs 45 euros. It is best to buy it in advance, but according to the City of Ghent, you can still apply for the day pass at the latest the day after you entered the LEZ.
If you enter the Ghent LEZ with a vehicle that is not allowed, smart cameras will check your license plate. If you are not in order, you can receive a fine. The City of Ghent mentions a fine of 185 euros, a maximum of one per day.
Here too: check in advance. A fine is much more expensive than simply entering your license plate into the official tool.
A camper van is not automatically an exception
Many people think that a camper van is treated differently from a regular car or delivery van. Sometimes that is true for certain rules, but with LEZ, you should not just assume that.
A camper van can be registered administratively differently from a delivery van. Some camper vans fall under M1, other vehicles are delivery vans or light commercial vehicles. The exact category is on your registration certificate. The check tool uses this data to determine if you are allowed in.
For DIY builders, this is extra important. A converted delivery van feels like a camper van to you, but on paper, it can still be a delivery van. Or vice versa: a vehicle can be registered as a camper, but still fall under the LEZ rules based on fuel type, Euro standard, and category.
So don't just look at what your vehicle looks like. Look at what's on paper.
Buying an old diesel van? Check LEZ before you buy
Anyone buying an older diesel van today to convert really needs to factor LEZ into the decision.
A Euro 4 diesel may seem attractive because the purchase price is lower. But if you often want to go to Antwerp, Ghent, or Brussels, that can quickly become annoying. You may then have to buy authorizations, use day passes, adjust routes, or park outside the city.
A Euro 5 diesel is currently more interesting in Flanders, as it remains permitted in Antwerp and Ghent. But in Brussels, Euro 5 diesel is no longer sufficient since 2026.
A Euro 6 diesel is usually the safer choice for those who often want to enter cities. But even then, checking remains wise, as rules can change.
The best tip: **check the license plate or at least the Euro standard before buying a vehicle.** Especially if you have an older delivery van or camper van in mind.
Foreign license plate? Pay extra attention
If you drive a vehicle with a foreign license plate, you need to pay extra attention.
In Ghent, an admitted vehicle with a foreign license plate usually first needs to be registered for free, except for Dutch vehicles. Antwerp also has rules regarding the registration of foreign vehicles. In Brussels, Belgian and foreign vehicles fall under the LEZ measure, and the official tool also asks for the country of registration.
For travelers entering Belgium with a foreign camper van or van, this is important. The fact that your vehicle is permitted in your own country does not automatically mean that you can enter Brussels, Antwerp, or Ghent without registration.
Parking outside the LEZ can be smarter
You don't always have to drive your van into the city.
For many vanlifers, it's smarter to park outside the LEZ and then continue by bike, tram, bus, train, or on foot. Especially if you only want to visit the city for a day, that can save a lot of stress.
Ghent, for example, refers to parking options outside the LEZ and to park-and-rides. There are also alternatives around Brussels and Antwerp where you don't have to drive your vehicle into the city.
That's not only better for your wallet but often also more relaxing. A large van in a busy city center is rarely relaxing.
Practical checklist before entering Brussels, Antwerp, or Ghent
Take out your registration certificate and check:
1. What is the fuel type?
2. What is the Euro standard?
3. What is the vehicle category?
4. Is it a Belgian or foreign license plate?
5. Is your vehicle automatically admitted?
6. Do you need to register?
7. Can you buy a temporary authorization?
8. Do you need a day pass?
9. Is the day pass valid for the correct city?
10. Is it better to park outside the LEZ?
Always use the official check tool of the city itself. Not just a forum, app, old blog post, or Facebook comment.
Why this is important for the community
LEZ rules may not be the most romantic part of vanlife, but they do determine where you can drive carefree.
If vanlifers massively enter zones with old diesels without checking, it leads to fines, frustration, and a worse image of the community. Many problems arise not from bad intentions, but from ignorance.
That's why clear information is important. Not to scare people, but to travel realistically.
A good vanlifer not only looks for beautiful sleeping spots but also at rules regarding parking, overnight stays, nature, cities, and emission zones. This way, you avoid problems and maintain your freedom.
Conclusion
Is your diesel van still allowed in Brussels, Antwerp, or Ghent? That depends on the city, your fuel type, your Euro standard, your vehicle category, and sometimes your license plate.
Brussels has been stricter for diesel since 2026: diesel vehicles must be at least Euro 6 to enter without a fine. Euro 5 diesel no longer meets the Brussels access criteria.
Antwerp and Ghent follow the Flemish line. There, Euro 5 diesels will still be permitted in 2026 because the planned tightenings have been withdrawn. For Euro 4 or older diesels, you need to be much more careful and look into authorizations, day passes, or alternatives.
The best rule is simple: **check for each city separately.** A single LEZ rule for all of Belgium does not exist.
Source: https://stad.gent/nl/mobiliteit-openbare-werken/lage-emissiezone/een-lez-boete-dit-moet-kan-je-doen
Source: https://stad.gent/nl/mobiliteit-openbare-werken/lage-emissiezone/lez-dagpas-kopen
Source: https://lez.stad.gent/nl/flows/controleertoegang
Source: https://stad.gent/nl/mobiliteit-openbare-werken/lage-emissiezone
Source: https://www.slimnaarantwerpen.be/nl/lez/faq-lez
Source: https://www.slimnaarantwerpen.be/nl/lez/lez-dagpas
Source: https://www.slimnaarantwerpen.be/nl/lez/check-uw-voertuig/toelatingsvoorwaarden-vanaf-1-1-2020
Source: https://lez.antwerpen.be/
Source: https://www.slimnaarantwerpen.be/nl/lez/check-uw-voertuig/tool
Source: https://www.slimnaarantwerpen.be/nl/lez/check-uw-voertuig
Source: https://www.slimnaarantwerpen.be/nl/lez
Source: https://www.vlaanderen.be/mobiliteit-en-openbare-werken/duurzame-mobiliteit/lage-emissiezones-lez
Source: https://www.lez.brussels/mytax/en/day-pass-info
Source: https://lez.brussels/mytax/nl/automatic-simulation
Source: https://lez.brussels/mytax/nl/