German emissions sticker: everything you need to know
7 July, 2023
If you go on holiday in Germany, it is important to place the German emissions sticker on your car, tow car or motorhome. Many German cities, such as Düsseldorf, Keulen and Essen, have low-emission zones in which an emissions sticker is required. Which emissions sticker do you need in Germany, where can it be bought and where must it be placed? We are happy to inform you.
- Low-emission zones in Germany
- German emissions sticker
- Terms & conditions and exceptions for emissions sticker in Germany
- How much does an emissions sticker for Germany cost?
- Where can you purchase an emissions sticker for Germany?
- Where are you supposed to place the German emissions sticker?
- Ban on diesel in Germany
- German emissions sticker with a rental motorhome
- Campsites with charging stations in Germany
Low-emission zones in Germany
Many large cities in Germany have ‘Umweltzones’ or ‘environmental zones’ for which an emissions sticker is required. In Germany, the sticker is called an ‘Umweltplakette’. There are three types of stickers (green, yellow and red). The colour is allocated to the vehicle depending on its emission levels (emission class). Almost all German low-emission zones only allow entry to vehicles with a green sticker.
If you enter a low-emission zone, you will see a traffic sign with the text ‘Umweltzone’ (Environmental Zone). The colour of the sticker permitted is shown below.
In low-emission zones in Germany, you must have a green emissions sticker.
German emissions sticker
In 2023, only the green emissions sticker is valid in the low-emission zones in Germany. Vehicles with a red or yellow emissions sticker are almost never allowed entry. (An exception to this rule is the city of Neu-Ulm, where green and yellow stickers are permitted.) At this time, Germany is working on the introduction of a blue emissions sticker, which would be issued to very efficient and electric vehicles. It is expected that the implementation of this sticker will take some time.
Which emissions sticker do I need for my car or tow car?
In order to determine which emissions sticker your car or tow car needs, you can check the website of the German organisation TÜV. The majority of cars manufactured after 1992 will be assigned a green sticker (more information). If your car is assigned a yellow or red sticker category, then you are more or less not permitted to enter any low-emission zone in Germany. The yellow and red stickers are rare or no longer available.
Which emissions sticker do I need for my motorhome (up to 3,500 kg)?
For motorhomes that weigh up to 3,500 kg, in general, models manufactured in 2005 or later are assigned a green sticker .
Which emissions sticker do I need for my motorhome (over 3,500 kg)?
For vehicles over 3,500 kg, the same rules apply as for the lighter vehicles.
Many campsites in Germany have special facilities and pitches for motorhome owners. For example, Naturpark-Camping Prinzenholz
Check out all campsites with special pitches for motorhome owners in Germany.
Which emissions sticker do I need for my electric car or hybrid car?
For vehicles with a hybrid engine or vehicles that drive on LPG, that same applies as for regular cars. Generally, they are assigned a green sticker if manufactured after 1992.
Is your car or tow car fully electric? Then it will always be assigned a green emissions sticker.
Terms & conditions and exceptions for emissions sticker in Germany
- The emissions sticker is linked to your vehicle. Your registration number is put on the emissions sticker when you purchase it. This means you need a separate emissions sticker for each vehicle.
- As this time, electric cars still require an emissions sticker. The law has not yet made an exception for emission-free cars. This issue is being addressed and Bavaria is voting on whether or not electric vehicles without an emissions sticker should be fined. Because this has not yet been settled, we advise you simply to order the emissions sticker for Germany even if you are going on holiday with an electric vehicle.
- Motorists with a European Disabled Parking Badge (placed in clear view behind the windscreen) do not need to purchase a Germany emissions sticker.
- This website of the German government (in German) lists the German cities that require an emissions sticker. A few examples are Cologne, Bonn, Munich, Leipzig and Berlin. City outskirts are often also included in the low-emissions zone, so pay attention to where you park your car. The Ruhr area (Ruhrgebiet) has a large continuous low-emission zone that includes several places such as Duisburg, Essen and Oberhausen.
- You do not need an emissions sticker on motorways or provincial roads.
Will you be traveling to the Ruhr area in Germany? Then there is a good chance that you will need an emissions sticker.
How much does an emissions sticker for Germany cost?
You can order a green emissions sticker for Germany between € 12.50 and € 20.00. An emissions sticker for Germany can be ordered on various websites. It can be worthwhile to search for the least expensive emissions sticker. A reliable German source for information about the German emissions sticker is the TÜV. Here, you can also order the emissions sticker for Germany online. The sticker is valid indefinitely but must be clearly legible. Do be sure to replace the sticker on time it it fades or is damaged.
Where can you purchase an emissions sticker for Germany?
The most practical thing to do is order your German emissions sticker online prior to your holiday. Various websites sell it. If you are already travelling, it is still possible to purchase an emissions sticker for Germany at various locations – for example, an ANWB shop and at certain petrol stations and garages in Germany. You must be able to produce your registration certificate. Petrol stations and garages in Germany may only sell emissions sticker if they comply with specific requirements. In any case, this applies for garages and petrol stations that are certified as TÜV stations. Here is the overview of TÜV stations (website in German).
Your German emissions sticker is also valid in Spain
Did you know that the german emissions sticker is also valid in Spanish towns with a low emissions zone? Read all about the rules for emissions stickers in Spain.
Where are you supposed to place the German emissions sticker?
The sticker must be placed on the inside of the windscreen on the passenger side. The best place is at the bottom of the windscreen so that the sticker is clearly visible from the outside. If you do not visibly display the sticker, you risk a fine of € 100.
Ban on diesel in Germany
Since 2019, some places in Germany have a ban on diesel cars. This is often very restricted and applies, for example, only for certain locations in the city. These measures still need to be discussed in Germany. Some locations have already lifted the ban on diesel or will do so in the near future. This (German) website on the ban on diesel in Germany provides up-to-date information on all cities that have a ban on diesel, had a ban on diesel or where the ban on diesel is being discussed.
The German emissions sticker with a rental motorhome
An German emissions sticker is not included with a rental motorhome. You must order it yourself. The rental contract includes the registration number. You can use this to order an environmental sticker directly or check your emission class online. Rental motorhomes are usually recent models in the permitted emission class. Read more about renting a motorhome.
Charging your electric car or motorhome in Germany
You will find plenty of charging points along the major routes in Germany. You will also be able to charge your electric vehicle at several campsites in Germany. Here is a list of all campsites with charging stations inGermany.
Great campsites in Germany
View all campsites in Germany. And book a campsite in Germany for your holiday or for en route.
More about Germany
More useful information for your holiday in Germany:
- When are winter tyres required in Germany?
- Traffic fines in Germany: what are the rates for caravans and motorhomes?
- The Romantische Strasse (Romantic Road), a route filled with history
More about emissions stickers
- Read more about los emission zones and emissions stickers for Belgium, Spain, Austria and other European countries.
1 Comment
“You do not need an emissions sticker on motorways or provincial roads”
Apparently that’s not correct in Ulm
“There are no exceptions such as roads which you can use to pass through the low-emission zone in Ulm. This means that you also need an emissions sticker on the B10, the B19 and the B28. ”
Hope this helps someone