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Low emission zones in Germany

Why do drivers need an environmental badge?

Drivers in Germany need an environmental badge because almost 50 environmental zones have been set up since 2008, covering cities, municipalities and the Ruhr area. Only vehicles with the correct sticker are allowed to enter these zones, with the exception of motorways. German cities now only accept the green sticker, with the exception of Neu-Ulm, which also recognises the yellow sticker. The French environmental badge is only valid in Freiburg near the border with the Crit’Air badges 1 to 3 and the green badge.

Exceptions: Motorbikes are not affected by the access restrictions and foreign classic cars can drive in the environmental zones without a sticker thanks to a general exemption.

However, they must fulfil similar criteria to those required for the German “H” licence plate.

The basic requirement is that the vehicle must be at least 30 years old. The vehicle must also be in good condition. The classic car status of a foreign vehicle is also certified by the internationally recognised classic car passport of the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens FIVA which can be obtained from the FIVA clubs in the respective country. A copy of the national registration certificate stating the age of the vehicle and, if applicable, the FIVA passport must be clearly visible in the parked vehicle.

Order the German environmental sticker from the ACL

To do this, you can send us a legible copy of the vehicle registration certificate by e-mail, stating your address and membership number.

If you own a diesel vehicle that was first registered on 1 January 2006 or earlier, we also need the vehicle’s certificate of conformity. In this case, it is not possible for us to guarantee the allocation of a green sticker.

The price for an emissions sticker is €7.50 (incl. VAT).
Non-members pay 15 € incl. VAT.

Account number : CCPL LU76 1111 0000 9696 0000 with your licence plate number.

As soon as we have received the transfer, we will place the order and the sticker will be sent to you by post within 3 to 10 working days.

No-driving zones

Recently, there have also been driving ban zones added to the environmental zone.

These restrictions can also apply to vehicles with an environmental badge. As a rule, this mainly affects diesel vehicles that meet Euro standards 1-4 or 1-5, as well as older petrol vehicles.

Driving ban zones currently apply in Darmstadt, Munich and Stuttgart and there are plans to introduce them in Frankfurt and Mainz as well.

Further information

Details on the various environmental zones and driving ban zones with city maps

Within the no-driving zones, the police carry out random checks by checking vehicle documents.

Discover the zones

Blue e-badge

Advantages and conditions for use

The blue e-badge, which differs from the environmental badges, was specially developed for electric vehicles registered abroad. Although it is not mandatory, it offers several advantages.

For example, owners of vehicles with this sticker can use free parking spaces and drive in special lanes such as bus or taxi lanes. They can also obtain exemptions from access restrictions or transit bans.

Conditions for obtaining and warning notice

However, it is crucial to note that these benefits are not universal and depend on the policy of each municipality. It is therefore necessary to pay attention to specific road signs.

Vehicles registered in Germany can obtain a special licence plate with the designation “E” from the competent authority.

For electric vehicles registered abroad, a blue licence plate containing an “E” can be obtained from the vehicle registration offices.

However, it is important to note that a blue licence plate does not exempt you from the obligation to purchase an environmental badge in order to enter environmental zones. Owners of vehicles with a blue licence plate also require an environmental badge in order to enter these zones.