Current Traffic Restrictions and Road Closures in Europe
Europe has an extensive highway and road network that is constantly being upgraded and maintained. As a result, regular roadworks, traffic restrictions, and detours can impact your journey. In addition to planned maintenance, seasonal closures—especially in mountainous regions—should also be considered, along with special regulations such as low-emission zones and urban traffic limitations.
This guide provides an overview of the main types of traffic restrictions in Europe and offers advice on how to avoid delays or minimize disruptions.
Current Traffic Restrictions and
Road Closures in Europe
Europe has an extensive highway and road network that is constantly being upgraded and maintained. As a result, regular roadworks, traffic restrictions, and detours can impact your journey. In addition to planned maintenance, seasonal closures—especially in mountainous regions—should also be considered, along with special regulations such as low-emission zones and urban traffic limitations.
This guide provides an overview of the main types of traffic restrictions in Europe and offers advice on how to avoid delays or minimize disruptions.
Planned Roadworks and Highway Closures
Most European countries carry out regular maintenance on highways and roads, which can lead to lane closures, reduced speed limits, or complete road shutdowns.
Germany: frequent repairs on major highways (Autobahnen), particularly the A3, A8, and A9. Traffic updates can be found at BASt – Verkehrsinformationen.
France: long-term works on the A6 near Lyon and the A10 towards Bordeaux. Latest updates are available at Autoroutes.fr.
Italy: maintenance frequently affects toll highways, with major restrictions on the A1 (Milan–Rome–Naples). More details at Autostrade per l’Italia.
Spain: ongoing roadworks on the AP-7 in Catalonia and the A-2 near Madrid. Traffic conditions can be monitored via DGT – Dirección General de Tráfico.
It is advisable to check real-time traffic updates before departure and plan alternative routes where necessary.
Seasonal Mountain Pass Closures
During winter months, some mountain roads in the Alps, Pyrenees, and other ranges are closed due to snow and ice.
France: Col du Galibier and Col d’Iseran are typically closed from November to May.
Switzerland: Gotthard Pass and Furka Pass experience winter closures; tunnels are recommended alternatives.
Austria: high alpine roads such as the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße are shut from October to May.
Italy: Stelvio Pass is often closed from November to May.
Current road conditions can be checked on official transport websites or through navigation apps such as Waze or Google Maps.
Urban Traffic Restrictions – Low Emission Zones and Entry Bans
Many European cities have introduced Low Emission Zones (LEZ) where high-emission vehicles face restrictions or are completely banned.
France: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and other cities enforce ZFE-m zones, where only vehicles with an approved Crit’Air sticker may enter. More details at Certificat-Air.gouv.fr.
Germany: Berlin, Munich, and other cities require an Umweltplakette (eco-sticker) for entry into central zones. More info at Umweltbundesamt.
Italy: several cities, including Milan, Rome, and Bologna, have ZTL zones (Zona a Traffico Limitato) that restrict access for non-residents. Find details at ZTL Italia.
Spain: Madrid and Barcelona have strict LEZ zones, allowing only low-emission vehicles with the appropriate sticker. More information at DGT.es.
Before entering a city, check whether you need an environmental permit or if entry is allowed at all.
Restrictions for Trucks and Heavy Vehicles
Some European countries have specific restrictions on truck traffic, which can also impact personal travel.
Austria: Weekend and holiday driving bans for trucks on major routes.
France: Trucks over 7.5 tons are prohibited from driving on Sundays from 10:00 PM to Monday 10:00 PM.
Italy: Summer weekend restrictions for trucks on major highways.
Switzerland: Strict transit regulations for trucks, especially in alpine regions.
These regulations can cause congestion, especially at border crossings and on major highways.
Weather-Related and Natural Disaster Restrictions
Extreme weather conditions can lead to road closures, especially during winter.
Snowstorms and icy roads: in the Alps, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe, certain routes may become temporarily impassable.
Flooding: in regions such as Benelux, Germany, and northern Italy, heavy rainfall can result in road closures.
Wildfires: during summer months, highways and roads in southern Europe (Spain, Greece, Portugal) may be closed due to fire hazards.
For travel during these periods, it is advisable to monitor weather forecasts and traffic updates.
How to Avoid Delays and Disruption
Use real-time traffic updates: Apps such as Google Maps, Waze, and TomTom Traffic provide current data on congestion and closures.
Plan detours in advance: If you are aware of scheduled roadworks or seasonal closures, choose an alternative route.
Take advantage of highway tunnels: Tunnels like Mont Blanc Tunnel (France-Italy) or Gotthard Tunnel (Switzerland) can be better options than mountain passes in winter.
Check official transport websites: Each country has a dedicated portal for traffic restrictions (e.g., DGT in Spain, Bison Futé in France, ASFINAG in Austria).