Photo credits @ Agnieszka Kulikowska-Wielgus/ trans.iNFO

Northern Italy says no to diesels: entry bans in many cities, inconsistent rules

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New regulations will apply to all diesel vehicles meeting the Euro 5 standard — both Italian and foreign. The restrictions will affect four regions in northern Italy. Unfortunately, the rules vary by region. We also know the fines for violating the bans.

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From 1 October 2025, new entry bans for Euro 5 diesel vehicles will come into force in Italy. The restrictions will apply to cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants in four northern regions: Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto. The regulations will apply to both Italian and foreign-registered vehicles, including lorries and vans used by international hauliers.

Piedmont: seasonal but extensive ban

In Piedmont, the ban on Euro 5 diesel vehicles will begin on 1 October 2025 and last until 15 April 2026. In subsequent years, it will be in effect from 15 September to 15 April. The restrictions will apply on working days — Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. They will affect cities including Turin, Novara, Alessandria, Asti, Cuneo, Moncalieri, Collegno, Rivoli, Nichelino, Settimo Torinese, Vercelli, Biella, Grugliasco, Chieri, Pinerolo, Casale Monferrato, Venaria Reale, Alba and Verbania.

Lombardy: year-round weekday ban

In Lombardy, the restrictions will apply throughout the year. From 1 October 2025, Euro 5 diesel vehicles will not be allowed to enter larger cities on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., except on public holidays that fall on weekdays. The restriction will affect Milan, Varese, Lecco, Vigevano, San Giuliano Milanese and dozens of other cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants.

Emilia-Romagna: winter season restrictions

In Emilia-Romagna, the ban will also take effect on 1 October 2025 and last until 31 March each year. The restrictions will apply Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. They will affect all municipalities in the Po Valley with more than 30,000 inhabitants, as well as the Bologna metropolitan area. The regulations also allow other municipalities to voluntarily introduce similar bans.

Veneto: the strictest regulations in Italy

Veneto has announced the most severe restrictions — a total ban on Euro 5 diesel vehicles, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. These will also come into force on 1 October 2025. The exact zones covered by the ban have yet to be specified, but it is already clear that no seasonal or time-based exemptions are planned.

Penalties and exceptions

Fines for violating the bans will start at €168. In cases of repeated offences, authorities may impose a one-month driving ban. Although Italy does not have a nationwide environmental badge system, checks will be carried out, and foreign-registered vehicles will not be exempt from enforcement — even in other EU countries.

In some cases, exemptions may apply — for example, for historic vehicles — depending on local rules. An alternative could be the “Move-In” system, which allows limited use of the vehicle, provided a GPS device is installed and an annual mileage cap is respected.

Why are the restrictions being introduced?

The bans are a response to severe air quality issues, especially in the Po Valley, where EU limits for PM10 and NO₂ are regularly exceeded. The new restrictions aim to help Italy comply with the requirements of the Court of Justice of the European Union and to improve public health.

 

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