Environmental sticker Germany: Where is the sticker needed?

The German environmental sticker—where necessary and when mandatory —is a relevant question for many motorists. Germany has established so-called Umweltzones in dozens of cities, accessible only to vehicles with a valid environmental sticker. This measure is intended to limit air pollution—particularly particulate matter. Both German and foreign vehicles are subject to these regulations. The question of whether you need a sticker in Germany is a common one for travelers. In this article, we explain who is required, where, and when. On this page, you can read when and where you need an environmental sticker in Germany, which color is suitable for your vehicle, and how you can easily and securely apply for one online.

When do you need an environmental sticker in Germany?

Many German cities have established low-emission zones where access is strictly regulated. These zones are marked with official traffic signs and may only be entered by vehicles displaying an environmental sticker that meets the appropriate emissions class.

Which vehicles need a sticker?

• Passenger cars, campers, buses and trucks
• Vehicles registered in Germany and abroad

Exceptions:

• Historic vehicles with an official H license plate
• Vehicles with a temporary exemption
• Motorcycles and mopeds are exempt in most cases

If you are unsure whether you need a sticker, you can use an environmental sticker license plate check, or consult the current information from the German environmental agency.

Do I need a German vignette? Where do the rules apply?

Currently (as of 2025), there are 36 environmental zones in operation in Germany . They are primarily located in larger cities and urban areas.

Examples of cities with an Umweltzone:

• Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, Augsburg
• In addition, there are zones in smaller cities and regions, which are regularly expanded or adjusted

A current map showing all environmental zones can be found on the website of the Umweltbundesamt .

What happens without a sticker?

Anyone who enters an environmental zone without a valid sticker runs the risk of:

• A fine of at least 80 euros
• Inspection by police or municipal supervisors
• Direct fine, also for foreign vehicles

It is therefore strongly recommended for Dutch tourists and business drivers to purchase the correct environmental sticker for Germany in good time, preferably before departure.

Which sticker is suitable for your vehicle?

In practice there are three types of environmental stickers, but only the green sticker for Germany (emission class 4 or higher) is still valid in almost all zones.

Plaque overview:

• Green sticker : valid for most petrol vehicles with Euro 1+ and diesel vehicles with Euro 4+, sometimes with a particulate filter
• Blue E-Plakette (optional): recognition for emission-free vehicles such as electric cars – but not a replacement for the green sticker
• Yellow and red stickers : have been abolished and no longer grant access

Please note: Electric vehicles still require a green German environmental sticker to enter an environmental zone.

Buy environmental stickers Germany – quickly and easily online

Want to drive through German low-emission zones without any worries? Then it's wise to apply for a valid environmental sticker for Germany in advance. This process is simple, secure, and completely digital via our Dutch order page. You only need to follow a few steps:

1. Enter license plate number: Enter your vehicle's license plate number. We will use this information to manually check whether your vehicle meets the required emissions class.
2. Document check by specialists: Our certified employees carefully assess the technical data and determine which sticker applies to your vehicle.
3. Secure payment: Choose from multiple payment methods such as iDEAL, PayPal, credit card, Klarna or bank transfer.
4. Price: The green environmental sticker, for example, is available from €9.99 , including VAT and processing costs.
5. Dispatch:
• Standard Shipping by Post: Free delivery within 2–4 business days
• Shipping with track & trace: For a small additional charge – also within 2-4 working days
• Express Shipping: Delivery within 1–2 business days possible when ordering before 12:00 (99% chance of delivery the next business day)

Tip: Request your environmental sticker before leaving for Germany, so you don't encounter any unpleasant surprises on your trip.