Cologne low-emission zone (Umweltzone)

Cologne's Umweltzone covers 137 km² on both banks of the Rhine, a large part of the city. All motorways are exempt, and streets on the zone boundary can be driven freely.

Only the green sticker (grüne Umweltplakette) is accepted, and has been since 1 July 2014. Foreign-registered cars are subject to the same rule.

One German sticker is valid in all German zones and never expires. From the city it costs €6 (card payment) at the Kfz-Zulassungsstelle, Max-Glomsda-Str. 4, by appointment only, with no postal delivery. It is also sold by TÜV, DEKRA and other testing organisations, some of which sell abroad or online.

Since 1 October 2026, 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.

Before you leave: check whether you already have a German green sticker (it stays valid indefinitely). If not, get one before the trip: from Cologne's Kfz-Zulassungsstelle by appointment (€6, no postal delivery) or from a body such as TÜV or DEKRA, some of which sell online or abroad.

To see whether your car can get the green sticker, take your registration certificate: it shows the Euro norm and fuel type. If in doubt, check the city's official website.

Buy the sticker only from the city or a recognised testing organisation, and check the price: the official sticker costs €6 from the city.

Easy alternative: take the train to Köln Hbf, right next to the Cathedral market. You can also use a P+R (see below), but check whether it lies inside the zone.