Over 1,500 Green Shield fines for unauthorized vehicles entering Florence

Since early July, 2025, Florence’s Green Shield traffic control system has recorded 1,572 violations — more than half involving tourist coaches entering the city without paying the required access ticket.

The figures were presented in the City Council by Andrea Giorgio, Councillor for Mobility, Roads and Tramway, in response to a question from a councillor.

“The Green Shield is designed to protect Florence from the traffic of the most polluting vehicles — because public health is not negotiable — and from the invasion of unauthorized tourist buses that evade the entrance fee and circulate freely,” Giorgio explained.

Activated in early July, the Green Shield gates monitor compliance with long-standing restrictions on older, high-emission vehicles and, since this summer, also target tourist buses. From July to mid-September, 834 violations were linked to coaches, each fined €83 in addition to the unpaid entry ticket, which varies depending on the vehicle’s class.

On average, around 12 tourist buses are found circulating irregularly every day, while infractions involving cars and scooters are much fewer — about five per day. The councillor added that the results reflect the impact of a major information campaign and new warning signs installed at the Green Shield access points.

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