To improve the quality of life and most importantly the environment, 32 cities throughout Germany have or are about to implement new Low Emission Zones into which only vehicles displaying an “Emission Badge” (Umwelt Plakette) are allowed to enter. Vehicles entering a Green Zone and not displaying a badge are likely to be fined €40.

How: To obtain an “Emission Badge” the only item required is a vehicle registration document (V5) and the vehicle itself.

Where: In participating cities, Emission Badges are available from a wide range of outlets including repair centres, car dealers, MOT (Tüv) stations and vehicle licensing offices. On the internet Emission Badges can be purchased before travelling to Germany from Tüv Nord or Tüv Süd. 

Cost: The cost of a “Emission Badge” can vary from €5-€10

Validity: Any “Emission Badge” issued is valid for the entire life of the vehicle and throughout Germany.

Catergories: For non-German registered vehicles, classification depends on:

 a.) date of registration
 b.) definition of vehicle
 c.)  petrol or diesel 

 

Emission Standard	Age (private cars)	Sticker
Petrol	before 01.01.1993	No Badge (Euro I)
Petrol	after 01.01.1993	Green (Euro IV)
Diesel	before 01.01.1997	No Badge (Euro I)
Diesel	from 01.01.1997 - 31.12.2000	Red (Euro II)
Diesel	from 01.01.2001 - 31.12.2005	Yellow (Euro III)
Diesel	from 01.01.2006	Green (Euro IV)

 

The Future: From 2010 it is likely that only vehicles with a green or yellow “Emission Badge” will be allowed to enter a city centre, although this may vary and in some cities the phasing in period, with time and colour, may be different.

Green Zones: The cities participating in the Enviromental Green Zone scheme are -

January 2008: Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Hanover.

March 2008: Ilsfeld, Leonberg, Ludwigsburg, Mannheim, Reutlingen, Schwäbisch-Gmünd, Stuttgart, Tübingen.

July 2008: Frankfurt am Main (not confirmed), Regensburg (not confirmed)

October 2008: Munich.

January 2009: Nuremberg

January 2010: Darmstadt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Mühlacker, Pforzheim, Pleidelsheim

Dates TBA.: Augsburg, Braunschweig, Dresden, Duesseldorf, Essen, Leipzig, Magdeburg, Ruhr Area, Ulm

Q.- Are there any vehicles which do not require a badge?

A.- Mopeds, motorcycles, machinery (diggers), ambulances and original vintage cars over 30 years old . All other vehicles including cars, vans, coaches and HGVs will have to display an Emission Badge. 

Q. - Will my vehicle be examined when applying for a Emission Badge?

A. - Your vehicle maybe looked at very briefly by an engineer, this is purely to establish the age and type of engine.

Q.- What do the colour categories represent?

A.- The four colour categories are directly linked to the European emission standards, these are sets of requirements defining the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. Euro 2 is Red, Euro 3 Orange and Euro 4 Green. Petrol vehicles with a catalytic converter are always Euro 4 and will automatically be entitled to a green badge.

Q.- Which vehicles will not be able to claim a badge?

A.- Vehicles without a catalytic converter or a particulate filter.

Q.- What can I do if a badge is refused?

A.- Failed, red or orange badge holders are encouraged to upgrade their vehicles with a catalytic converter, or for diesel engines a particulate filter. Vehicles fitted with such filters can reduce the toxicity of emissions or soot from exhaust gas by 85%-100%. Most upgraded vehicles will be able to claim a green badge which is necessary for entering a green zone in 2010. 

Q.- How is the scheme enforced?

A.- Anyone caught with out a valid Emission Badge within a Low Emission Zone, either on the move or parking, will be fined €40.German driving licence holders will also face one penalty point. Enforcement will be managed by the police, local authorities and traffic wardens.