The low emission zone is a designated area where only vehicles meeting the relevant emission standards (the so-called Euro standards, which are linked to the vehicle's manufacture date) may be driven.
All vehicles may enter the zone, regardless of the type of drive, including petrol, diesel, hybrids or those with LPG installations, provided that they meet a specific engine emission standard. There are exceptions to the requirements.
For more information:
- Zarząd Dróg Miejskich / Municipal Roads Authority website (available in Polish): https://zdm.waw.pl/sprawy/strefa-czystego-transportu (opens a new window)
- Biuro Zarządzania Ruchem Drogowym / Road Traffic Management Office website (available in Polish): https://transport.um.warszawa.pl/sct (opens a new window)
Is the sticker necessary
The ban on entering the low emission zone applies to petrol cars older than 1997 and diesel cars older than 2005.
In the first stage of LEZ implementation in Warsaw, the vast majority of vehicles meet the requirements and do not need any sticker, application or notification.
At https://sprawdzsct.zdm.waw.pl (opens a new window) you can check your vehicle in 30 seconds.
Motorcycles, scooters and quads are allowed to enter the zone.
If your vehicle meets the requirements, you do not need a sticker.
Check the reliefs and exceptions below and the sticker information for residents.
Reliefs and exceptions
Drivers who will be eligible for special exceptions to the LEZ requirements, owning vehicles older than those required at a given stage of the LEZ, will be obliged to obtain a sticker for their car’s windshield.
Warsaw residents
Until the end of 2027, people registered for temporary or permanent residence and paying taxes in Warsaw (on the basis of a PIT tax settlement or a certificate from the tax office) will be exempt from the LEZ rules. The exemption will apply to vehicles whose last registration date is earlier than January 1, 2024.
Required documents for the sticker at: https://zdm.waw.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/KU-karta-uslugi-SCT-nalepka-17.06.2024-clean.pdf
Legal entities
Until the end of 2027, companies paying taxes in Warsaw and with their registered office in Warsaw are exempt from the LEZ rules. The exemption will apply to vehicles whose last registration date is earlier than January 1, 2024.
Required documents for the sticker at: https://zdm.waw.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/KU-karta-uslugi-SCT-nalepka-17.06.2024-clean.pdf
Seniors
They will be exempt from the LEZ rules indefinitely.
Conditions:
- people over 70 years of age (by the end of 2023)
- the vehicle is owned or co-owned from December 31, 2023 at the latest.
- a senior is driving a vehicle or is its passenger
- a senior may indicate one vehicle for examption.
Vintage and historic vehicles
They will be allowed to enter LEZ.
Required documents for the sticker at: https://zdm.waw.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/KU-karta-uslugi-SCT-nalepka-17.06.2024-clean.pdf
Special vehicles
Special vehicles (e.g. roadside assistance, funeral hearses) will be allowed to enter LEZ.
Random cases
For accidental reasons, e.g. travel to a hospital, doctor, matriculation site will be allowed to enter for 4 days per calendar year.
Statutory exceptions
The following will be allowed to enter LEZ:
- services (e.g. ambulance, police, fire brigade, border guard)
- vehicles used by people with disabilities
- other (e.g. school bus marked with an appropriate plate).
Stickers for residents
Conditions for obtaining a sticker for residents:
- the owner or co-owner is registered for permanent or temporary residence in Warsaw
- date of the last registration of the vehicle before January 1, 2024 (with the exception of the vehicle re-registration, which does not involve the transfer of ownership), the car does not have to be registered in Warsaw
- tax settlement in Warsaw.
Issuing stickers
People exempt from LEZ requirements in Warsaw can, from the beginning of June, submit an application for permissions and a sticker stationary at the headquarters of the Municipal Roads Authority and online.
The application can be submitted
- online using the website SprawdzSCT.zdm.waw.pl (opens a new window). The panel allows you to check whether a given car needs a sticker at all, and then allows you to submit an application if needed
- at the ZDM headquarters at 120 Chmielna St. from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (as of August 5, 2024, the information desk at 124 Chmielna St. has been closed).
Required documents
https://zdm.waw.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/KU-karta-uslugi-SCT-nalepka-17.06.2024-clean.pdf
Sticker cost
A fee of PLN 5 is set for the issuance of vehicle sticker.
(§ 6. 1. RESOLUTION NO. XCI/2974/2023 OF THE CAPITAL CITY COUNCIL OF WARSAW of December 7, 2023)
LEZ area
LEZ will cover the entire Śródmieście area and parts of central districts of Warsaw. Its boundary will run along:
- Prymasa Tysiąclecia Avenue - from Jerozolimskie Avenue to the junction with the railway line No. 20 near Czorsztyńska Street
- railway lines no. 20, 501, 9 and 7 (from Czorsztyńska Street, through railway stations and stops: Warszawa Koło, Warszawa Powązki, Warszawa Gdańska, Warszawa Zoo, Warszawa Targówek to Wiatraczna Street)
- Wiatraczna Street
- Stanów Zjednoczonych Avenue
- Łazienkowski Bridge
- Armii Ludowej Avenue
- Wawelska Street
- Kopińska Street from Wawelska to ppłk. M. Sokołowski "Grzymała” streets
- ppłk M. Sokołowski "Grzymała" Street
- Jerozolimskie Avenue from ppłk M. Sokołowski "Grzymała" Street to Prymasa Tysiąclecia Avenue.
In total, the LEZ will cover an area of 37 square kilometers, which is 7%. area of the capital’s area. The boundary streets will be outside the Low Emission Zone.
Check Low Emission Zone on the map (opens new window)
Check your vehicle
Check if your car is exempt from the requirements (opens in a new tab)
Based on the few pieces of information about the vehicle (mandatory year of manufacture and fuel type, and optionally emission standard), the form provides information whether the car meets the LEZ requirements.
If, during verification, it turns out that the vehicle meets the zone requirements, nothing more needs to be done. Such car is not required to have a sticker, and the driver does not have to submit any application.
If the verification process reveals that the vehicle does not meet the requirements of the zone, the program will inform you what further steps can be taken.
Three basic types of exemptions for individuals:
- being registered and paying taxes in Warsaw
- being a senior (over 70 years of age)
- possession of a European parking card for people with disabilities.
An application for a sticker, confirming the right to exemption, can be submitted:
- via the Internet using the website SprawdzSCT.zdm.waw.pl (opens in a new tab). The panel allows you to check whether a given car needs a sticker at all, and then allows you to submit an application.
- at the ZDM headquarters at 120 Chmielna St. from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (as of August 5, 2024, the information desk at 124 Chmielna St. has been closed).
A positive assessment of the application for an exception in the Warsaw LEZ is considered to obtaining the right to enter its area.
Passenger vehicles – general rules and Warsaw LEZ implementation schedule
Owners whose vehicles do not meet the SCT requirements, registered and paying taxes in Warsaw
Passenger cars owned by persons registered and paying taxes in Warsaw are reliefed from fulfilling requirements until the end of 2027 (Stage 1-2 described below). For them, the applicable initial stage will be Stage 3.
Passenger cars owned by persons living outside Warsaw and cars registered after 1 January 2024.
Stage 1
From July 1, 2024, vehicles will be subject to the following requirements:
- A vehicle with a petrol engine (including LPG) will have to meet the Euro 2 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 1997 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 27 years).
- A vehicle with a diesel engine (including LPG) will have to meet at least the Euro 4 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2005 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 19 years).
Stage 2
From 2026, vehicles will be subject to the following requirements:
- A vehicle with a petrol engine (including LPG) will have to meet the Euro 3 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2000 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 26 years).
- A vehicle with a diesel engine (including LPG) will have to meet at least the Euro 5 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2009 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 17 years).
Stage 3
From 2028, vehicles will be subject to the following requirements:
- A vehicle with a petrol engine (including LPG) will have to meet the Euro 4 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2005 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 23 years)
- A vehicle with a diesel engine (including LPG) will have to meet at least the Euro 6 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2014 (maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 14 years).
Stage 4
From 2030, vehicles will be subject to the following requirements:
- A vehicle with a petrol engine (including LPG) will have to meet the Euro 5 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2009 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 21 years)
- A vehicle with a diesel engine (including LPG) will have to meet at least the Euro 6dT standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2017 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 13 years).
Stage 5
From 2032, vehicles will be subject to the following requirements:
- A vehicle with a petrol engine (including LPG) will have to meet the Euro 6 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2014 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 18 years
- A vehicle with a diesel engine (including LPG) will have to meet at least the Euro 6d standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2020 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 12 years).
Buses, trucks over 3.5 tons – general rules and Warsaw LEZ implementation schedule
Stages of low emission zone implementation for trucks and buses of people living and paying taxes in Warsaw and companies based in Warsaw paying taxes in Warsaw.
Trucks and buses owned by people registered and paying taxes in Warsaw, as well owned by companies based in Warsaw and paying taxes in Warsaw are reliefed from fulfilling requirements until the end of 2027 (Stage 1-2 described below). For them, the applicable initial stage will be Stage 3.
Stages of low emission zone implementation for trucks and buses of people living outside Warsaw
Stage 1
From July 1, 2024, vehicles will be subject to the following requirements:
- A vehicle with a petrol engine (including LPG) will have to meet the Euro 2 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 1997 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 27 years).
- A vehicle with a diesel engine (including LPG) will have to meet at least the Euro 4 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2005 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 19 years).
Stage 2
From 2026, vehicles will be subject to the following requirements:
- A vehicle with a petrol engine (including LPG) will have to meet the Euro 3 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2000 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 26 years).
- A vehicle with a diesel engine (including LPG) will have to meet at least the Euro 5 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2008 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 18 years).
Stage 3
From 2028, vehicles will be subject to the following requirements:
- A vehicle with a petrol engine (including LPG) will have to meet the Euro 4 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2005 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 23 years)
- A vehicle with a diesel engine (including LPG) will have to meet at least the Euro 6 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2010 (maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 18 years).
Stage 4
From 2030, vehicles will be subject to the following requirements:
- A vehicle with a petrol engine (including LPG) will have to meet the Euro 5 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2008 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 22 years)
- A vehicle with a diesel engine (including LPG) will have to meet at least the Euro 6 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2012 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 18 years).
Stage 5
From 2032, vehicles will be subject to the following requirements:
- A vehicle with a petrol engine (including LPG) will have to meet the Euro 6 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2012 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 20 years)
- A vehicle with a diesel engine (including LPG) will have to meet at least the Euro 6 standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2012 (i.e. maximum age of the vehicle in the year of implementation - 20 years).
Exhaust emission level (EURO exhaust emission standards)
Where to check
- via the mObywatel application www.gov.pl/web/mobywatel (opens in a new tab)
- in the "Check vehicle history" service www.historiapojazdu.gov.pl (opens in a new tab)
Where to submit a request to change your data
Submit the application to the BAiSO Branch (opens in a new tab) in the district where you registered the vehicle.
If you are a foreigner, submit an application for a change of data to the Department of Supervision of Inspection and Registration of Vehicles and Issuing Driving Permits (Wydział Nadzoru Kontroli i Rejestracji Pojazdów oraz Wydawania Uprawnień do Kierowania Pojazdami) of BAiSO (opens in a new window).
Check how to report a change in data
Exhaust emission level (EURO exhaust emission standards) for each vehicle in the Central Vehicle Register (opens a new tab).
Controls and penalties
How will vehicle entry to LEZ be verified?
- using access to the Central Vehicle Register.
- using stickers issued for old vehicles that meet the criteria for exceptions (e.g. LEZ residents or seniors who bought a car earlier).
Who will conduct the inspections
- Municipal Guard and Police
Penalties for breaking the regulation
- up to PLN 500 (in accordance with Art. 96c of the Code Offenses).
City website about Warsaw low emission zone
https://transport.um.warszawa.pl/sct (opens new tab)
Legal basis
Low emission zone regulations (opens new tab)