Procedure descriptions

Buy an environmental sticker/particulate matter sticker

Low-emission zones ensure that the air in our cities becomes cleaner and that emission limits are met.
Vehicles withoutthe relevant emissions sticker are not permitted to drive in low-emission zones.

In Baden-Württemberg, there are currently low-emission zones in Stuttgart, Pforzheim and Ludwigsburg and the surrounding areas. IIn Stuttgart, there are also more stringent traffic restrictions in place for diesel vehicles up to Euro 4 or Euro IV within the low emission zone, and for diesel vehicles up to Euro 5 or Euro V in a smaller zone covering the city basin, Bad Cannstatt, Feuerbach and Zuffenhausen.

If you wish to drive your vehicle in an environmental zone, you will generally require an environmental sticker. Your vehicle’s classification into one of the emission groups is determined by theemission code numbers. These can be found in your vehicle documents.

Note: A specific traffic sign indicates the low-emission zones. The colours of the stickers are shown on the supplementary signe; in Baden-Württemberg, this is the green sticker, which allows vehicles to drive freely within that specific low-emission zone.

Forms/Online Services

  • Umweltplakette Stuttgart

    Mit diesem Onlinedienst können auch für Fahrzeuge, die nicht in Stuttgart zugelassen sind, Umweltplaketten beantragt werden. Sollte Ihr Stadt- oder Landkreis keinen Onlinedienst anbieten, können Sie daher auch diesen Onlinedienst nutzen.

Responsible authority

Vignettes are available from:

  • the vehicle registration authorities
    • Urban district: the city council
    • Rural district: the district administration office
  • bodies authorised to carry out emissions tests (AU), such as AU workshops and approved testing organisations including Dekra, GTÜ, KÜS, TÜV and GTS, or technical inspection centres
Kfz-Bürgerbüro / Zulassung Achern [Landratsamt Ortenaukreis]
Kfz-Bürgerbüro / Zulassung Kehl [Landratsamt Ortenaukreis]
Kfz-Bürgerbüro / Zulassung Lahr [Landratsamt Ortenaukreis]
Kfz-Bürgerbüro / Zulassung Offenburg [Landratsamt Ortenaukreis]
Kfz-Bürgerbüro / Zulassung Wolfach [Landratsamt Ortenaukreis]

Details

Prerequisite

To obtain a green environmental sticker, your vehicle must meet the criteria for emission class 4 as set out in the 35th BImSchV.

Procedure

Some cities and districts, such as Stuttgart and Freiburg, provide online services.
You can use these to order an emissions sticker.

You can pay by

  • direct debit,
  • bank transfer or
  • credit card.

The sticker will be sent to you by post. You can find the exact regulations on the relevant websites.

Deadlines

None

Required documents

Vehicle registration certificate (for older vehicles) or Certificate of Registration, Part I (for newer vehicles)

Costs

Depending on the town or district, the AU workshop or the testing organisation: usually between 5.00 EUR and 8.00 EUR

Processing time

In most cases, you will receive the badge straight away.

Miscellaneous

None

Detailed information

  • Das Ministerium für Verkehr Baden-Württemberg bietet auf seinen Seiten ausführliche Informationen zum Thema "Luftreinhaltung“ an.
  • Eine Übersicht über Umweltzonen in ganz Deutschland finden Sie beim Umweltbundesamt.
  • Für bestimmte Fahrten können Sie eine Ausnahmegenehmigung von den Verkehrsbeschränkungen in Umweltzonen erhalten.

Legal basis

Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz (BImSchG):

  • § 40 Absatz 1 Verkehrsbeschränkungen
  • § 47 Luftreinhaltepläne, Pläne für kurzfristig zu ergreifende Maßnahmen, Landesverordnungen

Verordnung zur Kennzeichnung der Kraftfahrzeuge mit geringem Beitrag zur Schadstoffbelastung (35. BlmSchV)

Release note

machine generated, based on the German release by: Verkehrsministerium Baden-Württemberg, 25.08.2026