LEZ in Krakow / System - ZTP Kraków

LEZ in Krakow / System

Starting January 1, 2026, a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) will be implemented in Krakow, introducing new rules for entering certain parts of the city. It will cover approximately 60% of Krakow’s area. This change is not expected to significantly affect the daily lives of residents or visitors, but it’s worth getting reliable information about what will be required and from whom.

Check your vehicle – most cars already meet the requirements

The first thing you should do is check whether your vehicle meets the emission standards. Many cars – up to 8 out of 10 – may already comply with LEZ requirements. If they are registered in Poland, their owners will not need to do anything.

Gasoline cars (including those with LPG) will be allowed to enter the zone freely if they meet the Euro 4 standard or were manufactured in 2005 or later. This means that, at the time the zone is introduced, gasoline cars as old as 21 years will still be accepted.

Diesel cars must meet slightly stricter requirements. For passenger vehicles up to 3.5 tons, the Euro 6 standard or a production year of 2014 or newer is required, meaning that diesel vehicles up to 12 years old will be allowed. If you own a larger truck (diesel), it must meet the Euro VI standard or have been produced in 2012 or later.

If your car meets the emission standards or the required production year and is registered in Poland, it will automatically be added to the LEZ system. You will be able to enter the zone without restrictions.

LEZ information system – starting December 2025

You can check if your vehicle meets the requirements, register it in the system if necessary, register your entry to medical facilities, or pay for entry fees on the website sct.zdmk.krakow.pl.

If you prefer in-person contact or have difficulties with electronic systems, you can take care of these matters at service points with the help of officials.

Exemptions for Krakow residents

People registered in Krakow and paying taxes in the city will receive an indefinite exemption for vehicles they owned before June 26, 2025 – regardless of how old these vehicles are. Krakow residents will need to register their vehicles in the system – only if their vehicles do not meet the required standards.

Important for people who registered in Krakow in 2025

If you registered in Krakow during 2025 (e.g., in September) and filed a ZAP-3 form with the tax office to change your tax registration to Krakow, you can also apply for a “resident” vehicle exemption in the first year of the zone’s operation.

Submitting the ZAP-3 form indicates that tax settlement for the previous year will occur with the Krakow tax office. This means that even if you registered and filed ZAP-3 during the year, starting January 1, 2026, you can submit documents confirming your tax settlement in Krakow for 2025 and apply for an exemption. You have two options:

• From January 1, 2026 – You can apply for the exemption by obtaining a certificate from the tax office confirming tax settlement in Krakow for the 2025 period, with Krakow listed as your place of residence.
• From February 15, 2026 – You can apply for the exemption once your 2025 tax return is available, confirming tax settlement in Krakow and indicating your residence in the city.

If you are a student, unemployed, or do not have an income for other reasons, you can also apply for an exemption. In such cases, you file a PIT-37 tax return showing zero income (a “zero PIT”). This document also confirms tax settlement in Krakow and grants an exemption for the vehicle.

Exemptions for non-residents of Krakow

Even if you are not a resident of Krakow, you may be entitled to exemptions in certain situations:

• People with disabilities – If you have a valid EU parking permit for people with disabilities, you can register one vehicle that will be exempt from fees and allowed to enter the zone without restrictions. You will need to present a copy of the permit with the expiry date and the name of the person entitled when registering the vehicle.
• Patients using specialized medical services – If you regularly use specialized medical services at Krakow’s healthcare facilities funded by public resources (e.g., rehabilitation, dialysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy), you can also obtain an exemption. Before entering the zone, you must register your visit in the LEZ system and confirm it at the facility.
• Owners of vintage vehicles – If you own a historic vehicle listed on the heritage register by the regional conservator, you can also apply for an exemption.
• Special vehicles – Owners of special vehicles, such as campers or food trucks, can enter the zone after registering their vehicle in the system. They will be exempt based on data from the Central Vehicle Register (as indicated in the vehicle registration certificate).

Fees for non-residents of Krakow – three-year transition period

For non-residents of Krakow with vehicles that do not meet LEZ requirements and do not have an exemption, a three-year transition period (2026-2028) has been introduced, during which you will be able to enter the zone by paying an appropriate fee.

The fee system has been designed flexibly:

• Hourly fee – If you need to enter Krakow occasionally, you will pay 2.50 PLN per hour.
• Daily fee – In 2026, if you pay for two consecutive hours, this will allow your vehicle to operate in the LEZ for the rest of the day. In 2027, the daily fee will be 15 PLN (for 6 consecutive hours).
• Monthly subscription – For regular commuters:
  • 2026: 100 PLN per month
  • 2027: 250 PLN per month
  • 2028: 500 PLN per month

After December 31, 2028, the option to pay for entry will no longer be available, and only vehicles meeting emission standards (unless exempt, e.g., for special vehicles) will be allowed to enter the zone.

Vehicles registered abroad

If your vehicle is registered abroad, even if it meets all the required standards, you must register it in the LEZ system yourself. When registering, you will need to provide a copy of the vehicle’s registration document, specify the brand, model, production year, and the emission standard.

Entry control and renewal of exemptions

Entry to the zone will primarily be controlled automatically by cameras reading vehicle registration plates and comparing them with the LEZ database. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your vehicle is properly registered in the system before entering for the first time.

If your vehicle has an exemption for residents, remember that you will need to renew your exemption at least once a year by submitting updated documents confirming that you meet the exemption conditions (e.g., registration and tax payment). For those registering based on a parking permit for people with disabilities, the registration must be renewed when the permit expires.

If you need further clarification or individual assistance, you can contact the Krakow Contact Center via email or phone at 12 616 55 55.