From 1 October 2026 they will change the rules for thousands of motorists in Northern Italy. After a year-long postponement, The ban on Euro 5 diesel cars is ready to come into force in the main urban areas of the Po Valley. However, the measure will not be implemented uniformly. Regions can replace traffic restrictions with measures capable of ensuring an equivalent reduction in emissions.
The most clear picture is that of the Lombardia, where the stop appears confirmed. The Piedmont has instead approved an alternative plan that will allow avoiding a generalized shutdown, while Veneto ed Emilia Romagna and Lombardy They are still evaluating compensatory measures. It will therefore be essential for motorists to check not only their vehicle's environmental rating, but also the regulations adopted in the area in which they operate.
Which Euro 5 diesel cars are banned? Which cars are at risk of being banned?
Le new restrictions mainly concern the Euro 5 diesel cars, mostly registered between 2011 and August 2015However, the date is only an indicative reference. To verify whether a vehicle actually falls into the relevant category, you should consult the registration document or use the service available on the Motorist Portal.
Il ban is aimed as a priority to urban centers with more than 100 inhabitants located in areas where PM10 or nitrogen dioxide limits are exceeded. The initial version of the measure also included municipalities with over 30 residents, but the scope was subsequently reduced. Local governments retain the right to extend the restrictions to other areas or establish different days, times, and exemptions. According to a CarFax analysis of license plate checks conducted in the first months of 2026, nearly 14% of vehicles inspected in Northern Italy could be affected by the new rules. The affected vehicles are on average 12 years old and have approximately 146 kilometers on the clock. For many owners, the ban could therefore mean they need to change their vehicle or modify their daily commute.
Anyone who drives despite the ban risks a fine between 168 and 679 eurosIn the event of two violations committed within two years, the license may also be suspended for 15 to 30 days.
Lombardy: Lockdown confirmed in Milan, Monza, Brescia, and Bergamo
La Lombardia It is currently the region with the clearest timetable. Starting October 1, 2026, Euro 5 diesel cars will not be allowed to circulate in the urban areas of Milan, Monza, Brescia, and Bergamo from Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Unlike what is foreseen in the other territories of the Po Valley, the Lombard ban will not be limited to the winter season, but will remain valid all year roundThe extension to other vehicle categories will take place gradually. From 1 October 2027, vehicles in categories M2, N1 and N2 will be affected, while from 1 October 2028 the restrictions will also extend to categories M3 and N3. For owners, it remains MoVe-In available, the "Monitoring of Polluting Vehicles" system that replaces the traditional restrictions based on days and time slots with a maximum limit on the number of kilometers that can be driven each year. Travel in restricted areas is recorded by a black box installed in the car.
However, joining MoVe-In doesn't mean you can ignore the rules of municipal limited traffic zones. Access to these zones remains subject to the regulations adopted by individual cities.
Piedmont avoids ban with biofuels and new incentives
Il Piedmont has chosen to replace the Euro 5 diesel block with a package of measures included in the Regional Air Quality Plan. According to assessments validated by ARPA, these measures should produce a reduction in emissions equivalent to that achieved by banning cars. The decision avoids a blanket ban that would have affected approximately 307 vehicles, primarily in the Turin metropolitan area and Novara. One of the main initiatives concerns the use of HVO, a renewable diesel biofuel. The Region has allocated €14 million over two years to promote its use in public transport and in Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesel private vehicles.
The first call for proposals is expected to launch in the winter of 2026-2027 and will provide annual grants of between €50 and €100, distributed through dedicated fuel cards. Another €14,4 million will be allocated to the maintenance of older, more polluting heating systems and the installation of new biomass-fueled systems. The plan also includes: resources for cycling mobility, car sharing, the renewal of vehicles used by companies, and interventions aimed at improving traffic flow. In this way, Piedmont aims to improve air quality without forcing drivers to immediately replace their Euro 5 vehicles.
Veneto and Emilia-Romagna are seeking a solution before October.
In Veneto The process of lifting the ban is not yet complete. The Regional Council has begun the process of postponing the restrictions until October 1, 2027, but the measure must be approved by the Regional Council. Without definitive action, the ban could affect at least 150 vehicles in major urban centers, including Venice, Verona, Vicenza, and Padua. Among the alternatives Under consideration are the advance payment of incentives for converting Euro 5 diesel vehicles into "Dual Fuel" vehicles, powered by a combination of diesel and methane, and the use of smart working for public employees during days with an orange or red PM10 alert.
Emilia-Romagna too The Italian Ministry of Transport is seeking tools to achieve environmental objectives without resorting to a widespread shutdown. In the absence of approved compensatory measures, the ban will begin October 1, 2026, and remain in effect until March 31, 2027, from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Cities potentially affected include Bologna, Modena, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Ferrara, Ravenna, Rimini, Forlì, and Piacenza. Municipal administrations will be able to avoid the restrictions only by submitting measures capable of ensuring an equivalent reduction in emissions and obtaining the favorable opinion of the Region.
Until final decisions are made, therefore, there can be no question of a single Euro 5 diesel ban across all of Northern Italy. From October 1st, the fate of motorists will depend on the Region and Municipality in which they drive, as well as any exemptions and alternative measures approved in the coming weeks.
