In various Polish cities, Low Emission Zones (Strefa Czystego Transportu – SCT) are slowly beginning to appear. Their purpose is to restrict access for older vehicles that do not meet the required emissions standards. Supposedly, the idea is to improve our quality of life and health by reducing air pollution. In reality, it’s not quite that simple – but that’s a topic for another time. In this post, I describe the Low Emission Zones that already operate in Poland or will be launched soon.
Contents:
- Low Emission Zone (Strefa Czystego Transportu – SCT) in Cracow
- Low Emission Zone (Strefa Czystego Transportu – SCT) in Warsaw
- Low Emission Zone (Strefa Czystego Transportu – SCT) in Katowice
- Map of Low Emission Zones in Poland
Low Emission Zone (Strefa Czystego Transportu – SCT) in Cracow
In effect from:
- 1 January 2026
Entry fees for vehicles not meeting the requirements
Between 2026 and 2028, entry to the Strefa Czystego Transportu (SCT) will be allowed for non‑compliant vehicles upon payment of a fee:
- 2.50 PLN per hour;
- a daily fee of 5 PLN in 2026 and 15 PLN from 2027 onwards (the daily fee will no longer apply after 2028);
- monthly pass: 100 PLN (2026), 250 PLN (2027), 500 PLN (2028).
LEZ/SCT requirements
Requirements for passenger vehicles:
- Petrol cars must meet at least the Euro 4 emissions standard or be manufactured in 2005 or later.
- Diesel cars must meet at least the Euro 6 emissions standard or be manufactured in 2014 or later.
Requirements for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (e.g., trucks, buses):
- Petrol vehicles must meet at least the Euro 4 emissions standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2005.
- Diesel vehicles must meet at least the Euro 6 emissions standard or be manufactured no earlier than 2012.
Additional exemptions from the LEZ/SCT entry ban:
- Special-purpose vehicles (e.g., construction machinery, technical vehicles, motorhomes, agricultural machinery);
- Historic vehicles, used occasionally, often as part of cultural events;
- Vehicles registered by persons holding a disability parking card;
- Vehicles transporting patients to medical facilities located within the zone, provided the vehicle is registered in advance and the destination facility is selected. The exemption applies on the day the medical service is provided.
Map:
Documents:
Source
Low Emission Zone (Strefa Czystego Transportu – SCT) in Warsaw
In effect from:
- 1 July 2024
LEZ requirements:
- Petrol vehicles (including LPG) must meet at least the Euro 2 emissions standard.
- Diesel vehicles (including LPG) must meet at least the Euro 4 emissions standard.
Exemptions from the LEZ entry ban:
- For the first 3.5 years, vehicles belonging to residents of the capital city (persons officially registered in Warsaw) who pay taxes in Warsaw are exempt.
Map:
Documents:
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Low Emission Zone (Strefa Czystego Transportu – SCT) in Katowice
In effect from:
- 29 June 2026 r.
LEZ requirements:
- Emission standard (EURO) requirements will apply to new vehicles of residents as well as drivers from outside Katowice and the Metropolis.
- From 29 June 2026 to 30 June 2029, vehicles belonging to Katowice residents that meet the following requirements:
- Petrol engines meeting at least the Euro 3 emissions standard or manufactured no earlier than 2000
- Diesel engines meeting at least the Euro 4 emissions standard or manufactured no earlier than 2005
- From 1 July 2029 to 31 December 2033, vehicles belonging to Katowice residents that meet the following requirements:
- Petrol engines meeting at least the Euro 3 emissions standard or manufactured no earlier than 2000
- Diesel engines meeting at least the Euro 5 emissions standard or manufactured no earlier than 2009
- From 1 January 2034, indefinitely, vehicles belonging to Katowice residents that meet the following requirements:
- Petrol engines meeting at least the Euro 4 emissions standard or manufactured no earlier than 2005
- Diesel engines meeting at least the Euro 6 emissions standard or manufactured no earlier than 2014
- From 29 June 2026 to 31 December 2033, vehicles belonging to non‑residents of Katowice that meet the following requirements:
- Petrol engines meeting at least the Euro 3 emissions standard or manufactured no earlier than 2000
- Diesel engines meeting at least the Euro 5 emissions standard or manufactured no earlier than 2009
- From 1 January 2034, indefinitely, vehicles belonging to non‑residents of Katowice that meet the following requirements:
- Petrol engines meeting at least the Euro 4 emissions standard or manufactured no earlier than 2005
- Diesel engines meeting at least the Euro 6 emissions standard or manufactured no earlier than 2014
Exemptions from the LEZ entry ban:
- Residents of Katowice and the GZM Metropolis are exempt from restrictions
- Motorcycles
- Special-purpose vehicles and other vehicles classified as “other”
- Public transport buses
- Historic and vintage vehicles
- Vehicles participating in road events
Vehicle verification:
Using the Clean Transport Zone in Katowice will not require permits, stickers, or fees. Checks will be carried out based on data from the Central Vehicle Register (CEP).
Map:
Documents:
Source:
Map of Low Emission Zones in Poland
Other maps
The map containing the crown of Poland is not the only map I have created. On the Maps page, you can find other maps that may be of interest.
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