24/06/2026
Anti-idling laws for Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles exist across almost all of Europe, and they are strictly enforced in both extreme hot and cold weather. Leaving your engine running while stationary to power the air conditioning in summer or the heater/defroster in winter is widely illegal under environmental and noise protection acts.
Strict Anti-Idling Laws Across EuropeCountryKey Rules & Weather SpecificsGeneral Fine Range
GermanyStrictly banned under the Federal Emission Control Act (StVO § 30). It is explicitely illegal to idle to defrost windows or run A/C while parked.€80 to €500+
BelgiumForbidden under the Highway Code except in active traffic emergencies. In Wallonia, it is processed as a serious environmental offense [1.19].€130+
FranceProhibited for any stationary vehicle unless trapped in a traffic jam. Strictly monitored in urban Low-Emission Zones (LEZs).€135
SwitzerlandZero-tolerance policy for noise and air pollution. Drivers must switch off engines at railway crossings, red lights, and while waiting.CHF 60+
ItalySpecifically targets climate control. Running the engine while parked solely to keep the A/C or heater going carries some of the highest fines in Europe.€220 to €440+
A rare red weather warning has come into force with record-breaking temperatures expected today and into tomorrow. Hundreds of schools are completely closing or sending pupils home early due to the extreme heat. Follow the latest.
