Getting the German emissions sticker: where and for how much
Independent, non-governmental site: not an authority’s service, no sticker sales.
First check which colour your vehicle gets, then take the papers to an issuing office: this page advertises no seller.
Your vehicle gets
Green sticker
Emission group 4
| Into the 35 active zones | yes |
| Legal basis | Annex 2(2): petrol engine with regulated catalyst |
| Fee at the issuing office | €5 – €10 |
35th BImSchV, Annex 2: assignment to emission groups · BMUV table
Feinstaubplakette, the fine-dust sticker, is another name for the environmental sticker under the 35th BImSchV; it is the same red, yellow or green sticker. Who may issue it is set by section 4 of the ordinance: the vehicle registration authorities or any other office competent under state law, plus every body approved to carry out emission tests under section 47a of the Road Vehicle Licensing Regulations. In practice that means the registration office of your district or city, testing organisations such as TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ or KÜS, and many garages approved for the emission test. You do not have to pick one because we recommend it: each issues the same sticker under the same rules. The Federal Environment Ministry quotes a fee of €5 to €10; the City of Leipzig charges €6 at its registration office. You need to bring registration certificate part I, which shows the key number. The office writes in the plate number and you stick the sticker on the inside of the windscreen.
Checked by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
Issuing offices under section 4
| Office | Legal basis | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle registration authority | Section 4, sentence 1, 35th BImSchV | also for foreign vehicles |
| Office competent under state law | Section 4, sentence 1 | varies by state |
| Bodies approved for emission tests (TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ, KÜS, garages) | Section 4 with StVZO s. 47a(2) | ask about approval |
We name the testing organisations only to show who may issue stickers under the law; we recommend none and have no link with any of them.
What to bring
Registration certificate part I, formerly the Fahrzeugschein. The office reads the key number from field 14.1. If that number does not reflect a retrofitted system, bring the fitting certificate. For foreign vehicles offices often ask for a document showing the Euro norm; otherwise the presumption based on the first registration date applies (foreign vehicles).
Common misconceptions
The sticker does not expire and is not an annual purchase. It is tied to the plate, not the owner: moving to another district with a new plate means a new sticker. A sticker from one city is valid in every zone in Germany. And the office does not test whether your car is roadworthy, only which group it belongs to according to its papers. The check above shows which colour you get; the rules are on the which sticker? page.