When do I need an environmental sticker?
The environmental sticker (Umweltplakette) is required to drive in the environmental zones of German cities. Mopeds, motorbikes, motorcycles, scooters, three-wheeled vehicles, agricultural tractors, mobile machinery and equipment, works traffic, and emergency service vehicles do not need an environmental sticker. Additionally, vintage cars – registered before 1 January 1978 and fitted with Dutch historical, blue registration plates – also do not require an environmental sticker. In that case, however, a copy of the Dutch registration certificate or the FIVA Identity Card must be clearly visible on the inside of the windscreen.
Which vehicles are exempt from the environmental sticker?
The vehicles below are exempt from the environmental sticker:
- Mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, scooters and three-wheeled vehicles.
- Agricultural tractors.
- Mobile machines and appliances.
- Works traffic.
- Vehicles used by emergency services.
- Vehicles for people with disabilities, which must be registered as such. If you possess a European Disabled Persons' Parking Card, you are exempt from the environmental sticker. You must place this Disabled Persons' Parking Card clearly visible behind your windscreen as soon as you park your vehicle in an Umweltzone. If you are checked for the presence of the environmental sticker within the Umweltzone, the European Disabled Persons' Parking Card serves as your proof of permanent exemption.
- Classic cars with historic registration plates in Germany (the vehicle must be at least 30 years old and have an “H” registration plate or a red “07” registration plate) or classic cars registered in other EU countries that meet corresponding conditions, have a permanent exemption from the environmental sticker. If your classic car is registered in the Netherlands, has a date of first registration from before 1 January 1978, and the vehicle has Dutch historic registration plates (the blue plates), you will not need an environmental sticker. To be allowed to drive into an Umweltzone, you will still need a FIVA Identity Card. You can apply for this in the Netherlands from the FEHAC. Further information about this Identity Card can be found at: www.fehac.nl/fiva-id-cards.If you park your vintage car within the Umweltzone, you must visibly display a copy of your Dutch vehicle registration or the aforementioned Identity Card.
Can I return the environmental sticker if I turn out not to need it?
The environmental sticker is made to order for your vehicle. Once the environmental sticker has been printed (including your vehicle registration number), we are unable to reverse the order or refund the amount paid.
I have a cracked windscreen. Can I get a new environmental sticker?
The environmental sticker can only be applied once to a window due to its special adhesive layer. Therefore, you will need to purchase a new environmental sticker for a replacement window. You can order this via this page. This may be covered by the insurance company. Please check with your insurer.
Is an exemption possible with a disability?
Cars displaying a European Disabled Parking Card clearly visible behind the windscreen are exempt from the environmental sticker.
Can you get a fine for driving in an environmental zone without an environmental sticker?
Does the environmental sticker have an expiry date?
Is the environmental sticker valid throughout Germany?
Do I need an environmental sticker for the German motorway?
Are there exceptions in the issuance per municipality?
Nationally, there are exceptions for a range of vehicles, such as mopeds, motorcycles, ambulances and tractors, for example. Old-timers with a so-called “H” registration plate also do not need to be fitted with a sticker. In addition, numerous municipal exceptions apply for certain hardship cases, for which very different solutions exist from town to town, however. If in doubt, contact the relevant municipality.
In which cities do you need an environmental sticker?
Op this page Do you find an overview of all cities with an environmental zone. Periodically, new zones are added and existing environmental zones also become stricter in terms of allowing vehicles with a lower emission class (higher emissions). Therefore, keep an eye on this overview.
Why am I getting a green environmental sticker when I have a Euro 5, 6, or electric car?
Newer cars often have high environmental ratings such as Euro 5 and Euro 6. You will also receive a green sticker with a 4 on it for these. This is currently the highest class associated with the environmental sticker. There are currently no legal regulations in Germany about which vehicles will receive a Blue Sticker (light blue / dark blue).
Milieuzones zijn er om de luchtkwaliteit te verbeteren, met name in stedelijke gebieden. Door bepaalde voertuigen met een hogere uitstoot te weren uit deze zones, wordt de concentratie van schadelijke stoffen zoals stikstofoxiden en fijnstof verminderd. Dit heeft als doel de gezondheid van de inwoners te beschermen en de leefomgeving op de lange termijn duurzamer te maken.
Cities can close off areas with particularly high particulate matter concentrations to vehicles with high particulate emissions. These environmental zones are indicated by a special traffic sign. The establishment of environmental zones is based on an EU directive which stipulates that a limit value for particulate matter (50 micrograms per cubic metre of air) may not be exceeded on more than 35 calendar days. Germany has transposed this directive into national law with the so-called “Kennzeichnungsverordnung” (Identification Regulation).
I am receiving multiple order numbers, but the payment has failed. What should I do now?
When I order an environmental sticker, when will I receive it?
I can't pay via iDeal, is there another option?
In that case, you can also collect the environmental sticker at one of the Service points and pay there.
How do I order an environmental sticker?
The environmental sticker can be easily ordered via this page to pick up at one of the Service points. When ordering via the website, you can pay safely and reliably via Ideal, after which you will receive a payment confirmation with an order number. If you order and pay on weekdays before 5:00 PM, the environmental sticker will be sent the same day via PostNL.