In which cities is an environmental sticker required in Germany?
In many German cities, it is mandatory to equip your car with a green environmental sticker (Umweltplakette). Berlin, Hanover, and Cologne were the first cities to introduce an environmental zone (Umweltzone) in 2008. Today, there are over 70 German cities with an Umweltzone. You can find an up-to-date list of all cities with an Umweltzone on the German Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) website.
Key Details:
- Location: Umweltzones are primarily located in urban areas.
- Highways: If you only use German highways, an environmental sticker is not required.
- Fines: Driving in an Umweltzone without the correct sticker can result in a fine of approximately €80
Environmental zones are marked with specific signs (see example). These signs also indicate which color stickers are permitted for each zone.
What colors of environmental stickers are there?
There are three colors of environmental stickers: red, yellow, and green. The color of the sticker a vehicle receives depends on its emissions and is assigned based on the license plate. Vehicles with a red sticker are no longer allowed in most cities, making this sticker no longer available. The yellow sticker is only valid in the municipality of Neu-Ulm. The green sticker is designated for the least polluting vehicles and is used in most German cities.
Only at GWK Travelex is the green environmental sticker for Germany readily available in stock.
What are the requirements for a car to qualify for a green environmental sticker in Germany?
All vehicles, including cars, motorhomes, buses, and trucks, regardless of fuel type, must have a sticker to enter the environmental zone. This applies to both vehicles with a German license plate and those with a foreign license plate. The type of environmental sticker a vehicle receives depends on its age, engine capacity, and vehicle category.
To qualify for a green environmental sticker, the vehicle must meet the following requirements:
- LPG, hybrid, or gasoline-powered cars registered after 01-01-1993
- Diesel cars registered after 01-01-2006
- Vehicles with electric propulsion or a fuel cell
The eligibility for a green environmental sticker is determined based on the license plate, and no exceptions can be made. Therefore, always have your license plate information ready when purchasing a German environmental sticker at a GWK Travelex location.
Buying an Environmental Sticker for Germany
The green environmental sticker for Germany is only available directly from stock at GWK Travelex locations. The price of the environmental sticker for Germany is €22.50 per vehicle. It is not necessary to bring a vehicle registration document; however, make sure you have your vehicle's license plate number ready. You can purchase the environmental sticker for Germany on-site at a GWK Travelex location.
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