New requirements for low emission zones that apply from 1 July 2020

Until 1st July 2020 heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles will still be required to display the green low emission zone label on the front windshield.

From 1st July 2020 the low emission zone label will no longer be required . It is expected that automated license plate readers will be implemented instead, and foreign vehicles must register online before entering a Danish low emission zone.

Yes, all diesel-powered vans will have to comply with the new rules not matter which colour the number plate has.

No, these rules do not affect passenger cars.

No, only diesel-powered vans and heavy-duty vehicles are affected.

For diesel-powered vans the new environmental regulations will be implemented in three steps:

1. From 1 July 2020 vehicles must be retrofitted with a particle filter, unless the vehicle has been registered for the first time on 1st January 2007 or later. New order in hearing exempts Euro 5 and EEV heavy-duty vehicles from this step.
2. From 1 July 2022 vehicles must be retrofitted with a particle filter, unless the vehicle has been registered for the first time on 1st January 2012 or later.
3. From 1 July 2025 vehicles must be retrofitted with a particle filter, unless the vehicle has been registered for the first time on 1st September 2016 or later.

For heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles weighing 3,500 kg or more the new environmental regulations will be implemented in two steps:

1. From 1 July 2020 vehicles must be retrofitted with a particle filter, unless the vehicle has been registered for the first time on 1st October 2009 or later.
2. From 1 July 2022 vehicles must be retrofitted with a particle filter, unless the vehicle has been registered for the first time on 1st January 2014 or later.

A diesel-powered motorhome weighing 3,500 kg or more and with 9 or more seats including the driver classifies as a bus and will have to comply with the new rules. 

Vehicles that do not comply with the requirements for the registration dates, can access the low emission zones if they have been retrofitted with a particle filtre. When entering a Danish low emission zone, the owner or user of a foreign vehicle must be able to document the retrofit of the particle filter with a declaration dated within the last 18 months before entering the zone.

The specific rules for retrofitting of particle filtres has been implemented in Order No. 1059 af 22/10/2019 Bekendtgørelse om krav til dieseldrevne lastbiler, busser og varebiler i kommunalt fastlagte miljøzoner m.v. and specifically for vans also in Order No. nr 1474 af 21/12/2009 Bekendtgørelse om fritagelse for partikeludledningsafgift ved eftermontering af partikelfilter.

København, Frederiksberg, Aarhus, Odense og Aalborg are included.

Yes, under special circumstances dispensation can be granted by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. The specific rules for dispensation has been implemented in Order No. 1059 af 22/10/2019 Bekendtgørelse om krav til dieseldrevne lastbiler, busser og varebiler i kommunalt fastlagte miljøzoner m.v.

No, the new rules only apply to retrofitting of particle filtres.

Yes, your vehicle is affected by the rules. Is can still be granted access to the low emission zones if is has been retrofitted with a particle filter.

Please note that a new order is in hearing that exempts Euro 5 and EEV heavy-duty vehicles from the first step. If the order is passed Euro 5 and EEV heavy-duty vehicles can enter the zone until 1 July 2022 without being retrofitted with a particle filter.