For entering German low-emission zones, the green environmental sticker is generally the decisive sticker. Eligibility is determined from the vehicle’s emissions data.
Sticker assignment · Germany
Which environmental sticker does my vehicle need?
The correct German environmental sticker depends mainly on vehicle type, drive system and emission standard. This page explains the key rules for German and foreign-registered vehicles.
✓ Green sticker for low-emission zones
✓ Blue E-sticker as additional EV identification
✓ Free vehicle check
In short
The blue E-sticker is additional identification for eligible foreign-registered electric vehicles and certain plug-in hybrids. It does not replace the green environmental sticker.
Green environmental sticker vs. blue E-sticker
For German low-emission zones
Green environmental sticker
The green sticker identifies vehicles with sufficiently low pollutant emissions. It is the relevant sticker for access to appropriately signposted German low-emission zones.
- Assignment by vehicle type, fuel and emission standard
- For German vehicles, the emission key number is especially important
- For foreign vehicles, Euro class and registration documents are used
Additional EV identification
Blue E-sticker
The blue E-sticker can make the EV status of eligible foreign-registered electric vehicles and certain plug-in hybrids visible in Germany.
- Especially useful for vehicles without a German E number plate
- May be relevant as proof for local EV rules
- Does not replace the green sticker in low-emission zones
Guidance by drive system and emission standard
The following information is intended as understandable guidance. Individual emission keys, retrofits and special cases can lead to a different classification.
Petrol, gas and many hybrids
Vehicles with a regulated catalytic converter or at least Euro 1 can often receive the green sticker. For foreign vehicles, first registration from 1993 is an important guide when no Euro class is available.
Diesel
Diesel classification is more complex: Euro 2 typically corresponds to red, Euro 3 to yellow and Euro 4 or better to green. A suitable particulate-filter retrofit can upgrade certain Euro-3 vehicles.
Electric and hydrogen
Electric and hydrogen vehicles are also identified accordingly for German low-emission zones. For foreign registration, the blue E-sticker can additionally be useful.
Plug-in hybrid and hybrid
For the green sticker, the vehicle’s emission standard is decisive. An eligible foreign-registered plug-in hybrid may additionally qualify for the blue E-sticker.
Guide values by vehicle type
If the exact Euro class is unknown, first registration can provide initial guidance. The actual vehicle and emissions data remain decisive.
← Swipe table sideways →
| Drive / classification | Passenger car – guide | Truck / commercial vehicle – guide |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol – Green | at least Euro 1; often first registered from 01 Jan 1993 | at least Euro 1; often first registered from 01 Jan 1993 |
| Diesel – Red | typically Euro 2; guide from 01 Jan 1997 | typically Euro 2; guide from 01 Oct 1996 |
| Diesel – Yellow | typically Euro 3; guide from 01 Jan 2001 | typically Euro 3; guide from 01 Oct 2001 |
| Diesel – Green | Euro 4 or better; certain Euro-3 vehicles with suitable DPF retrofit; guide from 01 Jan 2006 | Euro 4 or better; certain Euro-3 vehicles with suitable retrofit; guide from 01 Oct 2006 |
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Important: the dates are only a guide when no clear Euro class is available. Reliable classification uses the vehicle’s actual data.
Which vehicle data matters?
DE
Vehicles registered in Germany
German vehicles can be classified very accurately from the registration documents.
- Emission key number – field 14.1 on newer documents
- Vehicle type: car, motorhome, van, truck or bus
- Drive: petrol, diesel, gas, hybrid, electric or hydrogen
- For older diesels, particulate filter and PM/PMK level where applicable
EU
Vehicles registered abroad
Foreign registration documents often use different fields. Classification is therefore based on the information available in those documents.
- Euro class or emission standard
- Date of first registration
- Fuel / drive system and vehicle type
- If unclear: review of the registration document
Emission key: why the full number matters
For German vehicles, a rough statement such as “Euro 3” or only the final digit is not always enough. The full emission key can contain special groups and newer letter combinations. Our assistant takes these differences into account.
Important special cases
Diesel with particulate filter
A retrofitted particulate filter can improve the sticker classification. The emission key and the documented PM/PMK level are decisive.
Motorcycles
Motorcycles and other two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles generally do not need an environmental sticker.
Historic vehicles
Historic vehicles with a German H plate or red 07 plate are generally exempt from the sticker requirement in low-emission zones. Foreign historic vehicles may require separate proof.
Motorhomes, vans, trucks and buses
For these vehicles the commercial-vehicle classification may apply. Older diesel vehicles in particular use different key and retrofit tables than passenger cars.
Unclear or missing information
If the Euro class, emission key or retrofit level is unclear, do not guess. Use the vehicle assistant or have the documents reviewed.
What do red, yellow and green mean?
The colours belong to Germany’s pollutant-group sticker system. Whether a sticker permits entry always depends on the signs for the individual low-emission zone.
Red sticker
Typical classification for older diesel vehicles, including certain Euro-2 vehicles.
Yellow sticker
Typical classification for many Euro-3 diesels without sufficient retrofit.
Green sticker
For vehicles with a sufficiently low pollutant class; the key sticker when planning trips into German low-emission zones.
Free vehicle check
Not sure? Let the assistant classify your vehicle
Our environmental-sticker assistant asks only for data relevant to your vehicle. It considers registration country, vehicle type, drive system, Euro class, emission key and – where necessary – particulate-filter data.
Frequently asked questions about sticker assignment
Which environmental sticker does a Euro-4 vehicle get?
A Euro-4 or better diesel can generally receive a green sticker. Petrol vehicles can often be green from Euro 1. We always check the actual vehicle data before issuing a sticker.
Can a Euro-3 diesel receive a green sticker?
Yes, for certain vehicles this is possible with a suitable particulate-filter retrofit. The emission key and documented PM/PMK level are decisive.
Does an electric car need a green environmental sticker?
Electric vehicles are also identified accordingly for appropriately signposted German low-emission zones. A foreign-registered EV may additionally use the blue E-sticker.
Does the blue E-sticker replace the green environmental sticker?
No. The blue E-sticker identifies EV status. It does not replace the green environmental sticker for low-emission-zone access.
What information is needed for a foreign vehicle?
Euro class, first registration, fuel or drive system and vehicle type are most helpful. If the data is unclear, the registration documents can be reviewed.
Where can I find the emission key number?
On newer German registration certificates, the emission key number is in field 14.1. The full number is important for reliable classification.
Do motorcycles need an environmental sticker?
No. Motorcycles and other two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles generally do not need an environmental sticker.
What if I am unsure about the classification?
Use the free environmental-sticker assistant. If the vehicle data remains unclear, the documents can then be reviewed manually.
