Euro emissions standard
The EU's staged limits on pollutants from new cars, labeled Euro 1 upward. A car's Euro stage can decide its access to city low-emission zones.
Euro standards are the European Union's staged limits on exhaust pollution. Each numbered stage tightens the permitted levels of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that a new car may emit. A car is approved to a Euro stage, listed in its documents.
Two clarifications prevent common confusion. The limits cover health-damaging pollutants, while a car's CO2 g/km figure is a separate number that many taxes reference. And the stage matters after purchase: low-emission zones can admit or charge cars by Euro stage. In UK Clean Air Zones that charge cars, for example, a car must meet Euro 6 if it is diesel and Euro 4 if it is gasoline to avoid a charge.
Euro 7 is the newest stage. As of September 2026, Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 applies to new types of cars and vans from 29 November 2026 and to all new vehicles from 29 November 2027. A December 2025 Commission package proposes amending it to simplify technical requirements and testing procedures, so check the current text. It also sets brake particle limits, with specific limits for electric cars, and battery durability requirements, so EVs are inside the framework even without a tailpipe.
Differs by market
Euro standards are set in EU law. Low-emission zones commonly grant or refuse access by Euro stage; UK Clean Air Zones that charge cars use Euro 6 (diesel) and Euro 4 (gasoline) as the minimum. Whether and when the UK applies Euro 7 is not covered here; check GOV.UK.