Bonn low-emission zone (Umweltzone)

The Bonn Umweltzone has been in place since 1 January 2010. It covers about 9 km², mainly on the left bank of the Rhine (Zentrum, Nord-, West- and Südstadt, Castell, Gronau), plus Konrad-Adenauer-Platz in Beuel. Motorways are exempt.

Since 1 July 2014 only the green sticker (grüne Umweltplakette) is accepted. Vehicles without a green sticker may not enter the zone.

Foreign-registered cars are subject to the same rule and need the green sticker. It costs EUR 5 (Dienstleistungszentrum, Stadthaus, Berliner Platz 2; TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ and emissions-test garages). Online orders are delivered by post only.

Since 1 October 2026, electric cars with a German E-number plate no longer need a sticker. Foreign electric cars without a German E-plate still need the green sticker.

The Bonn Christmas market (Münsterplatz/Marktplatz) is inside the zone. Before leaving, check whether your car can get the green sticker: the emission norm is shown on the vehicle registration certificate. If in doubt, check the official City of Bonn website.

Then get the green sticker (EUR 5) from an official point: the Dienstleistungszentrum (Stadthaus, Berliner Platz 2), TÜV, DEKRA, GTÜ or an emissions-test garage. Bring your registration certificate and stick the sticker on the windscreen before entering the zone. An online order only arrives by post, so allow time.

Buy only from these official points, and be wary of websites or SMS messages offering the sticker at a higher price.

Simple alternative: take the train to Bonn Hbf, right next to the market, and skip the zone and the search for parking.