Berlin: Umweltzone (Environmental Zone)
Berlin's Umweltzone covers the area inside the S-Bahn ring — you need a green Umweltplakette (environmental sticker) displayed on your windscreen to drive in it, regardless of where your vehicle is registered.
Low-Emission Zone · LAST VERIFIED 2026-07-28When it's active
In effect at all times — there's no time-of-day or day-of-week limitation.
Which vehicles are affected
Only vehicles that qualify for the green sticker (broadly, those with a catalytic converter meeting the relevant emissions standard) may enter; there's no lower-tier yellow or red sticker anymore — it's green or nothing.
Registering a foreign or rental vehicle
Foreign-registered vehicles need the sticker too — order it in advance online, since it needs to be posted to you before your trip.
Fees & fines
The sticker is a one-off purchase, roughly €5–15, valid for the life of the vehicle (tied to the number plate). Driving in the zone without a valid sticker carries a fixed fine of around €80. Figures are indicative — confirm current amounts before you travel.
How it's enforced
Enforced by police checks; camera enforcement is more limited than London's or Milan's systems.
Exemptions
A small number of vehicle types (e.g. some historic and emergency vehicles) are exempt — check the official site.
Where the zone is
The area inside Berlin's S-Bahn ring (Ringbahn).