Stuttgart’s low-emission zone and diesel ban
Independent, non-governmental site: not an authority’s service, no sticker sales.
The preset is a Euro 5 diesel. The check shows the sticker first, then whether a Stuttgart diesel ban applies.
May I drive into Stuttgart?
Yes, you may enter
Stuttgart zone: a green sticker is enough.
| Zone | Stuttgart |
| State | Baden-Württemberg |
| Green only since | 1 January 2012 |
| Status | active |
- Also in the small inner zone: diesels up to Euro 5, since 1 July 2020 (deliveries and residents exempt)
Sources: Federal Environment Agency list · stuttgart.de · vm.baden-wuerttemberg.de
In Stuttgart the entire city area has been a low-emission zone since 1 March 2008, and since 2012 only vehicles with a green sticker may drive there. That is not the end of it, because Stuttgart also has diesel bans. Since 1 January 2019 a year-round ban on diesel vehicles of Euro 4/IV and below has applied across the whole city, even if they carry a green sticker. Since 1 July 2020 a ban on Euro 5/V has been added in the small low-emission zone, which covers the central basin and the districts of Bad Cannstatt, Feuerbach and Zuffenhausen. The city points out that this Euro 5 ban is subject to further court rulings. Euro 6/VI diesels are not affected. According to the city’s information of 24 February 2026, general exemptions include commercial deliveries, people with certain disabilities, medical emergencies, trips to and from park-and-ride sites, and two- and three-wheelers. Three routes are exempt so that certain districts stay reachable. Anyone not covered and without Euro 6 can apply for an individual exemption.
Checked by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
Stages of the Stuttgart zone
| Stage | from |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: red, yellow, green allowed | 1 March 2008 |
| Stage 2: yellow and green allowed | 1 July 2010 |
| Stage 3: green only | 1 January 2012 |
Diesel bans in Stuttgart
| since | area | affected |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2019 | whole city | diesel Euro 4/IV and below |
| 1 July 2020 | small zone: central basin, Bad Cannstatt, Feuerbach, Zuffenhausen | diesel Euro 5/V and below |
The state introduced the bans following court rulings to meet the nitrogen dioxide limits; the city implements them. More on all bans in Germany is on the diesel bans page.
Neighbours
According to the Stuttgart regional council, only the Stuttgart and Ludwigsburg zones remain in its district. Leonberg, Heilbronn and Herrenberg have been lifted. The state as a whole is covered on the Baden-Württemberg page.