Environment: LEZ active (−55% NOx), fines in force, Evere joins anti-overflight action

LEZ 2026: measured results, fines postponed

1 January 2026 phase

The low-emission zone now bans:

• Euro 5 diesel (registered 2011-2016)
• Euro 2 petrol (registered 1996-2001)

Approximately 400,000 vehicles are affected nationally (Febiac).

Fines in force since 1 July 2026

After a postponement announced on 17 April 2026 (the fines were not to enter into force on 7 June as originally planned), LEZ fines for Euro 5 diesel and Euro 2 petrol vehicles entered into force on 1 July 2026, at €350. Around 13,219 vehicles already warned in previous years are affected. The annual LEZ pass (€350, social tariff €200) remains available as an alternative for driving legally.

Sources: L'Avenir (1 July 2026); La Libre; BRUZZ; VRT NWS.

Results since 2018

Sources: Brussels Environment; RTBF.

2025 air-quality report: 6th year of NO2 compliance, WHO guidelines still missed (report of 15 July 2026)

The 2025 annual report from Brussels Environment, published on 15 July 2026, confirms the Region meets EU air-quality standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for the 6th consecutive year, and that the 2030 fine-particle targets are largely met. However, every monitoring station in the Region still exceeds the levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO 2025 guideline), particularly near major roads, where the situation remains problematic.

Sources: DH (15 July 2026); L'Avenir (16 July 2026); BX1 (15 July 2026).

Aircraft noise: Evere joins inter-municipal legal front (24 April 2026)

During the week of 21-24 April 2026, Evere's Municipal Council unanimously adopted a motion against aircraft noise from Brussels Airport, and an also-unanimous amendment committing Evere to join the legal actions already filed by Schaerbeek, Koekelberg and Molenbeek against the RNP 07L route (operational since summer 2025, up to 200 daily movements on certain axes).

See the cross-cutting dossier: Brussels overflight.

Source: BX1 (24 April 2026).

PFAS: forever pollutants

Brussels Environment has identified 82 plots contaminated with PFAS in the Brussels Region. The most severe case concerns the Sicli site in Uccle (former fire-extinguisher manufacturer), with levels reaching 1,058× the standard in groundwater. TFA exceeds the EU norm of 500 ng/L (in force since January 2026) in Vivaqua's 6 reservoirs. The Environment Council calls for an integrated framework.

See the dossier: PFAS.

Source: Brussels Environment / RTBF (2025-2026).

Coalition agreement: transformed mechanisms

• Renolution replaced by zero-interest loans (€200M envelope through 2029) — the ~15,000 pending applications fall under this new regime
• LEZ maintained: schedule of future phases unchanged, annual pass €350 (social €200)
• Brownfields: Wiels, Avijl, Donderberg preserved; 18-month moratorium on Keyenbempt, Calevoet, Josaphat, Meylemeersch
• Vivaqua-Hydria merger: water management consolidated, €180M recapitalisation, Region 49.99%, €30M support
• Roads: +€10M in 2026 (AI maintenance, night works) within the budget voted on 27 March

Open question: the shift from grants (Renolution) to zero-interest loans changes the renovation incentive. Low-income households, who cannot borrow even at zero interest, risk being excluded. The impact on the ~75% poorly insulated buildings remains to be assessed.

Support: Bruxell'Air

Brussels residents who give up their vehicle can benefit from the Bruxell'Air premium: a mobility budget covering public transport, car-sharing, bicycle or taxi.