At EcoStickerGermany.com we make your journey towards a sustainable future easier. Are you planning to visit or travel through Germany? Ensure you are well-prepared with the right environmental sticker for Germany. With just a few clicks, you are on your way to a hassle-free trip while contributing to reducing environmental impact. Avoid unnecessary fines and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Is the German environmental sticker mandatory?

It is mandatory to have an environmental sticker on your vehicle when entering a German environmental zone. Failure to comply with this rule can result in a fine. The fine can be as high as €105.

What is a German environmental sticker?

A German environmental sticker, also known as an "Umweltplakette" or "emission sticker," is a label required for vehicles entering certain environmental zones (Umweltzonen) in Germany. This sticker indicates that a vehicle meets specific emission standards and is intended to improve air quality in urban areas by reducing the emission of harmful substances. Depending on the vehicle's emission class, a sticker of a certain color is assigned, corresponding to the level of environmental friendliness.

What types of environmental stickers are there?

There are three colors of the German environmental sticker, each representing a different level of environmental protection:

Green sticker: This sticker is assigned to vehicles that contribute the least to air pollution and meet the strictest emission standards. Vehicles with this sticker are considered the cleanest and have unrestricted access to environmental zones. Examples include electric cars, hybrid vehicles, petrol and diesel vehicles with Euro 4, 5, and 6 standards.
Yellow sticker: This sticker is given to vehicles with higher emissions than those with a green sticker. They can still enter some environmental zones, although their access is more restricted than vehicles with a green sticker. Examples include petrol and diesel vehicles with Euro 3 standards.
Red sticker: Assigned to vehicles that meet basic emission requirements but are considered more polluting. These vehicles have very limited access to environmental zones and are kept out of many cities to protect air quality. Examples include petrol and diesel vehicles with Euro 1 and Euro 2 standards.

Which German cities have an environmental zone?

Many German cities have introduced environmental zones to reduce the emission of pollutants. Access to these zones is limited to vehicles that do not exceed a certain emission level. Below is an overview of the main cities:

Aachen, Augsburg, Berlin, Bonn, Bremen, Darmstadt, Dortmund, Dresden, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Essen, Frankfurt am Main, Freiburg, Gelsenkirchen, Halle (Saale), Hamburg, Hannover, Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Herrenberg, Karlsruhe, Kassel, Köln, Leipzig, Ludwigsburg, Mainz, Mannheim, München, Münster, Nürnberg, Oberhausen, Osnabrück, Recklinghausen, Regensburg, and Stuttgart.

Diesel ban in German cities with an environmental zone

The diesel ban is in effect in various German cities, with each city having its own specific rules and regulations. In the following cities, all diesel vehicles without a Euro 6 engine are banned from driving in this area:

Hamburg, Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, München, Düsseldorf, Köln, Aachen, Darmstadt, Bonn, and Essen.

How long is a German environmental sticker valid?

Once obtained, your German environmental sticker is generally valid for the lifetime of the vehicle for which it was issued. This means that if you purchase a sticker for your car today, it remains valid as long as you use the car, and the sticker is readable and properly affixed to the windshield. For example, if you received a green sticker for your car in 2020, you do not need to get a new one every year.

Can you get an exemption from the German environmental sticker?

Certain vehicles are exempt from the requirement. Below is an overview of vehicles that do not need to apply for a German environmental sticker:

Vehicles for disabled transport: Cars clearly marked and used for transporting persons with disabilities may qualify for an exemption if they meet certain criteria.
Historical vehicles: Vehicles with an official classic car license plate can also be exempt from the sticker requirement.
Emergency and rescue services: Vehicles used by emergency and rescue services, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles, do not need an environmental sticker.
Foreign government vehicles: Official vehicles used by foreign governments can also be exempt, depending on specific regulations.

Ordering a German environmental sticker online

Obtaining your German environmental sticker is simple. You can order your environmental sticker for cars directly online via our website. Our process is fast, easy, and ensures that you are fully prepared for your trip to or through Germany.