Street lighting according to EN 13201: lighting classes explained

Key facts in brief: EN 13201 has three families of lighting classes: M for motorised traffic at medium to high speeds (assessed via road surface luminance), C for conflict areas such as junctions, and P for pedestrian and low-speed areas up to 50 km/h, such as residential streets. In Germany, DIN 13201-1:2021 governs the selection of the class.

Structure of the standard series

Part	Content
DIN 13201-1:2021-09	Selection of lighting classes (German application document) ^[1]
DIN EN 13201-2:2016-06	Performance requirements – defines the lighting classes and takes environmental aspects into account ^[2]
DIN EN 13201-3:2016	Calculation of quality criteria
DIN EN 13201-4:2016	Methods of measuring lighting performance
DIN EN 13201-5:2016	Energy performance indicators

DIN 13201-1 is a purely national document because the European member states could not agree on a common Part 1; Parts 2 to 5, by contrast, apply throughout the EU ^[3].

The three class families

M classes are intended for drivers of motor vehicles on traffic routes with medium to high driving speeds. Which M class applies depends on use, type of traffic and time of day ^[1]. The main criteria are road surface luminance, uniformity and glare.
C classes apply primarily to conflict areas where assessment via road surface luminance is not directly possible, such as junctions and roundabouts ^[1]. Illuminance is assessed.
P classes apply to areas where motorised road users travel at up to 50 km/h, e.g. collector, residential and access roads and parking lanes, as well as to pedestrian and cycle areas ^[1].

Within each family: the lower the number, the higher the requirement (e.g. M1 is higher than M6, P1 higher than P6).

How the class is selected

In Germany, DIN 13201-1 defines the selection on the basis of parameters such as speed, traffic volume and composition, junction density, parked vehicles, ambient brightness and crime risk. Because needs can change at different times of night and year, the class may also vary over time ^[2]. This is exactly where the greatest savings potential lies: a low-traffic night hour does not need to be lit like the peak hour.

New in the 2021-09 edition are the assignment of road and path categories to lighting classes from a traffic-planning perspective, the choice of different classes during the hours of darkness, adaptive lighting based on traffic- and environment-dependent parameters, and recommendations for comparable lighting classes ^[4]. The standard explicitly does not specify whether a traffic area must be lit ^[4].

Outlook: revision of EN 13201-2

A draft prEN 13201-2:2026 is available; in Germany it has been published as draft standard DIN EN 13201-2:2026-06 ^[5]. It simplifies the tables of the M and P classes and introduces a minimum uniformity U₀ of 20 % for new installations ^[6]. Until publication, DIN EN 13201-2:2016-06 applies; we take the draft into account in long-term concepts.

Common mistakes in practice

Class set too high across the board "to be safe" – more energy, more light pollution
Class selection not documented – liability risk for the road authority
New luminaires placed on old pole spacings without recalculation
Conflict areas (C) not considered separately

What we do for municipalities

Road categorisation and documented class selection, lighting calculation according to Part 3, verification measurements according to Part 4 and a lighting concept with dimming profiles.

Frequently asked questions

Is EN 13201 required by law?

Standards are not law per se, but they are considered recognised rules of technology and are decisive in liability cases. A documented, standard-compliant design protects the municipality.

Does every road have to be lit?

The obligation to provide lighting is governed by state law and the general duty of care for road safety, and it varies. EN 13201 governs how lighting is done, if lighting is provided.

May the lighting class be changed at night?

Yes. DIN 13201-1 allows different lighting classes to be chosen for different periods of the hours of darkness. This is the normative basis for dimming profiles.

Sources (in German)

Author: Paul Rostand Ndjeundoun, M.Sc. (Hons), Certified Lighting Expert (LiTG), Registered European Lighting Expert · As of November 2026. Standard values have been carefully researched but do not replace consulting the currently valid edition of the standard.