According to the government platform Op weg naar ZES, several unofficial websites are presenting themselves as intermediaries for zero-emission zone permits. They charge substantially more than the official fee and, in some cases, reportedly submit no application at all. As a result, hauliers risk not only losing their money but also entering restricted areas without a valid exemption and facing fines.
The only official body authorised to process these exemptions is the Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW). A one-day exemption costs €30 per request when submitted directly via RDW. Any website that claims to arrange a permit at a higher mandatory fee is not acting on behalf of the Dutch authorities.
The warning comes as zero-emission zones become an established part of the regulatory landscape in the Netherlands. Since 1 January 2025, 18 municipalities and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol have introduced such zones, with around 10 more cities expected to follow. Unlike earlier environmental zones, these areas are designed to phase out combustion-engine vans and trucks altogether. The most polluting vehicles were excluded first, while cleaner Euro VI vehicles benefit from transitional arrangements that vary by vehicle type and registration date.
Exemptions remain possible in limited circumstances — for example where an electric truck has been ordered but not yet delivered, where there is no feasible charging infrastructure, or for certain specialist or hybrid vehicles. But the process is centralised and digital, and it does not require commercial intermediaries.
The government has urged operators who believe they have been misled to report the matter to the police and notify the Autoriteit Consument en Markt (ACM). Beyond the financial loss, there is also concern about the handling of business and personal data submitted via fraudulent platforms.
