Name of the environmental zone: Environmental Zone Munich – Germany
Date of entry into effect of the zone: 01-10-2008
Type of environmental zone: Permanent
Not allowed to drive (temporarily): Information currently unavailable
Not allowed to drive (permanently): Trucks of types N1, N2 and N3 and busses of types M2 and M3 that do not fulfill Euro Norm 4 as well as cars and mobile homes <3,5 t of type M1 that do not fulfill the Euro Norm 4.
Fines: 80 euros.
Area/extension of the environmental zone: The environmental zone in Munich encompasses the area within the middle ring road (Mittlerer Ring).
Special features: Due to the decision of the administrative court of Stuttgart on July 27th, 2017, a traffic restriction to Diesel vehicles is expected for 2018: Complementary information regarding the zones and types of Diesel vehicles that will be concerned will be communicated later on.
Contact of the environmental zone and exceptions: Regional Administrative Office: ausnahmeumweltzone.kvr@muenchen.de; Phone: 089/233-24618.
Exemptions: Information currently unavailable
Environmental zone (green)
Do I need stickers or registrations?
To enter an environmental zone, each vehicle concerned requires a valid green environmental sticker. Otherwise, a fine of 80 euros plus 25 euros processing fee is to be expected.
How do I recognize the low emission zone?
The green environmental zone can be recognized by the traffic signs 270.1 and 270.2.
In front of each zone there is the sign 270.1 with an additional sign for the permitted sticker.
The end of the low emission zone is shown by the sign 270.2.
In our Green Zones App we have a detailed map of each low emission zone. So you can easily see the boundaries and avoid penalties.
Are there other low emission zones in Germany?
Yes, a lot of them. With over 80 different environmental zones, Germany has one of the most in Europe.
In our Green Zones App we have gathered together all the low emission zones in Europe and presented them clearly.
Electric cars
Is there a sticker for electric cars?
Yes! However, the sticker for electric vehicles is not intended for everyone. If the vehicle is registered in Germany, the last character on the license plate can be an "E". However, if the vehicle is registered abroad, an electric sticker (E-sticker) is required.
What advantages do I have with an E-sticker?
The E-sticker gives you various advantages. Depending on the municipality, there are various advantages, such as the use of bus lanes, free parking on the road and at electricity charging points, as well as the possible use of otherwise closed roads.
Do I need a green environmental sticker despite the E-sticker?
Yes, every car, no matter whether it is being driven on with petrol, diesel or electricity, requires a green environmental sticker according to the law. The E-sticker also entitles you to additional advantages over non-electric vehicles. The 35th BImSchV does not provide a separate paragraph for electric vehicles, which regulates them as an exception. Therefore: If an electric vehicle drives into a green environmental zone without a green sticker, a fine of 80 € + approx. 25 € handling fee must be expected.
Good to know...
All current driving bans and further information are available in our Green-Zones App.
What are the exemptions in the environmental zones?
In order to reduce air pollution, stickers and registrations can only be issued to vehicles that comply with the specified emission standards. However, there are various exceptions to the sticker and registration requirement. As with all other rules in the environmental zones, these vary greatly from country to country.
E-cars in floods
Due to the flood disasters in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, the question arises whether e-cars are not roadworthy in floods compared to combustion cars, because the electrics could short-circuit in the water and sparks could fly. According to experts, this is nonsense. Electric cars even have an advantage over combustion cars.
Environmental zones: Double trouble for border crossers
Different stickers for different countries - in the border region between France and Germany this is currently particularly annoying. From the beginning of next year, Strasbourg will introduce a permanent low emission zone in which at least the French category 4 sticker will be required. German commuters will also have to prepare themselves for this.
Fog against particulate matter
In the fight against ultra-fine dust, Amsterdam Airport wants to use fog to trap the particles and make them sink to the ground. The small particles produced by the ground movement of aircraft are particularly harmful to health because they can penetrate far into the lungs. But stronger fuel regulation would also help.
Caravanning has future problems
Travelling with motorhomes and caravans is becoming more and more restricted in Europe. It is not only the increasingly strict rules in the environmental zones that worry campers, but also the forced switch to electric drive. Because the heavy trailers consume too much energy and therefore drastically reduce the range of e-cars. Dethleffs is already working on a solution - but this means considerable costs for holidaymakers.
Supercharger for all
Tesla wants to open its charging stations to all vehicles. The charging stations of the American e-car pioneer are far superior to other models in terms of both number of units and technology. Thanks to Tesla, the network of charging stations would take an enormous leap forward. It is not yet clear what the company will get out of this and how it will be technically possible to implement it.
Spain: new low emission zones, new signs
By 2023, many cities in Spain will have to introduce low emission zones by law. Both domestic and foreign vehicles are affected. A new traffic sign is now to mark the environmental zones in a uniform and clearly recognisable way.
Climate protection for the railways at last?
Because of the German government's climate targets, traffic in Germany must be significantly reduced in the coming years. Transport Minister Scheuer therefore wants a railway reform that puts climate protection first. This is urgently needed. More digitalisation and modern infrastructure are to contribute to the turnaround.
Electrification of the EU not "Fit for 55"
From 2035, there are to be no more new cars with combustion engines in the EU. In addition, CO2 emissions from transport are to be reduced by 55 percent below today's level by 2030. But many EU countries are lagging miles behind in terms of electrification. The goal seems utopian.
How much are the penalties for the environmental zones?
Entering the European environmental zones without a sticker and registration can be expensive. Here is an overview of the fines and why it pays to enter the environmental zones well informed and with the correct sticker.