Northern Italy to implement Euro 5 diesel driving bans in October 2026

Starting October 1, 2026, new driving restrictions for Euro 5 diesel vehicles will take effect across several Northern Italian regions to improve air quality in the Padan Basin. The regulations primarily target urban areas in municipalities with populations exceeding 100,000 and affect vehicles typically registered between 2011 and August 2015.

Implementation varies significantly by region:

• Lombardy: The most stringent measures are set to proceed, banning Euro 5 diesel cars in cities like Milan, Brescia, Monza, and Bergamo from Monday to Friday, 7:30 to 19:30, with no seasonal suspensions. Restrictions are expected to expand to light commercial vehicles in 2027.

• Veneto: A seasonal approach is planned, with restrictions active only from October to April.

• Emilia-Romagna and Piemonte: Both regions are actively seeking compensatory measures to avoid total bans. Piemonte has already implemented alternatives, such as incentives for biofuels, while Emilia-Romagna is exploring various solutions to mitigate the impact on approximately 250,000 vehicles.

Drivers in Lombardy may utilize the MoVe-In system, which uses a black box to replace time-based restrictions with an annual mileage limit within restricted zones.