Environmental zones - Umweltzonen

Environmental zones were set up with the aim of reducing the pollution of inner cities by fine dust and nitrogen oxides and improving air quality. By law, access to these areas is only permitted for vehicles marked as low-emission.

The traffic sign indicates the beginning of an environmental zone

Environmental zones

The establishment of the environmental zones is based on the Ordinance on the enactment and amendment of regulations on the labeling of low-emission vehicles. The corresponding law came into force on March 1, 2007. On the basis of this regulation, the municipalities in Germany may / must set up environmental zones in areas that are endangered by fine dust. Only motor vehicles on which a sticker is clearly visible behind the windshield may drive in these zones. This also applies to vehicles that are registered abroad. There are, however, a number of exceptions.

As different as these environmental zones are, they have one thing in common: they are marked by a road sign with the word Environmental zone stands. Another thing they have in common is that from May 1st, 2014 you risk a fine of € 80 for violations, points in the Flensburg traffic offender register are a thing of the past. Even if a vehicle obviously meets the requirements for a certain pollutant group, driving without the correct sticker can be punished as a violation.

The colors of the signs indicate which vehicles are allowed to enter with which sticker color. The plate on the picture shows three badges, so that all vehicles with badges are allowed to drive in this zone.

Plaques

Motor vehicles registered in Germany

An emission key number is entered in the vehicle documents (vehicle registration). This shows which pollutant group the vehicle belongs to. Depending on the group, a corresponding badge can then be purchased:

• Pollutant group 1: no badge
• Pollutant group 2: red badge
• Pollutant group 3: yellow badge
• Pollutant group 4: green badge

The number of the pollutant group is printed on, the license plate must be entered with a lightfast pen. As a rule, you can buy the badge from the registration office. It costs 6 € (as of 2012) and is valid as long as the vehicle is registered with this number.

Foreign motor vehicles

The sticker requirement also applies to foreign vehicles on German roads. Anyone traveling to Germany for a vacation or business trip should find out in good time whether they have to drive through environmental zones, even if it is only because of a detour. In this case, he should apply for a badge in good time. This is possible through the automobile clubs (ADAC), through the technical inspection associations (TÜV), also via the Internet.

Exceptions

• A sticker is only required for vehicles with at least 4 wheels. According to this, motorcycles are exempt from the sticker requirement, even if they cause quite considerable emissions as two-stroke engines.
• Classic cars with corresponding (H) license plates
• Agricultural vehicles, working machines
• Vehicles used by the police, fire brigade and armed forces
• Diplomatic vehicles

The registration offices and the automobile clubs provide information on further exceptions.

Existing environmental zones

Environmental zones in Europe

• Belgium: Environmental zones in cities Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. Further information at the German Embassy Brussels
• Denmark: Environmental zones in cities Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen and Odense for trucks and buses
• Great Britain: Restrictions especially in London, Norwich and Oxford. Further information
• Italy: Information on the environmental zones
• Netherlands: There are currently environmental zones for trucks over 3.5t
• Norway: Restrictions on trucks
• Portugal: Environmental zone in Lisbon, Prohibition for cars with the Euro 2 emissions standard and Euro 3 trucks
• Austria: There are restrictions on trucks from 3.5t on the A12 in Tyrol
• Sweden: In the cities Gothenburg, Helsingborg, Lund, Malmo, Mölndal and Stockholm Only vehicles with the Euro 3 emissions standard and higher are allowed
• Czech Republic: Limitations in Prague for trucks
• Hungary: For Budapest there are truck restrictions and chargeable entry permits

Web links

• Environment badge
• Badge 24
• Low Emission Zones in the EU (Thirty-fifth ordinance for the implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act)
• Environmental zones: Federal Environment Agency

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