Essen low emission zone –
€100 fine without a green sticker.
Anyone driving to Essen is in the Ruhr area low emission zone – and needs the green sticker for it.
One sticker for Essen and all other German low emission zones. Buy emissions sticker
Required sticker
Green (emission group 4)
Fine without a sticker
100 €
Shared zone
Ruhr area
Federal state
What applies in the Essen low emission zone
In 2010, Essen was European Capital of Culture on behalf of the Ruhr area. Anyone driving in the Essen low emission zone without a valid sticker pays a €100 fine – just as in Gelsenkirchen.
Together with Gelsenkirchen, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Bottrop, Oberhausen and other towns, Essen forms one continuous low emission zone; Gelsenkirchen is only approx. 9 km away.
The next other low emission zones are in Dinslaken (approx. 23 km), Wuppertal (approx. 24 km) and Düsseldorf (approx. 30 km). In North Rhine-Westphalia there is also a low emission zone in Krefeld, Hagen and Remscheid, among others.
The green sticker is the same throughout Germany – once bought, it is valid in Gelsenkirchen and in every other German low emission zone.
Important notes
- Only the green sticker (emission group 4) is allowed
- Valid for all vehicle types*
- 24/7 checks by the police
- Vehicle registered outside Germany? You get the sticker with the vehicle registration document issued in your country – what matters is the number plate, date of first registration and vehicle identification number (VIN).
- €100 fine for violations
Ruhr area low emission zone
These places belong to the same low emission zone as Essen:
- Gelsenkirchen · approx. 9 km
- Mülheim an der Ruhr · approx. 9 km
- Bottrop · approx. 10 km
- Oberhausen · approx. 11 km
- Gladbeck · approx. 13 km
- Bochum · approx. 14 km
- Herne · approx. 16 km
- Duisburg · approx. 17 km
- Herten · approx. 18 km
- Recklinghausen · approx. 22 km
- Castrop-Rauxel · approx. 24 km
- Dortmund · approx. 32 km
More low emission zones near Essen
Entry only with a green sticker · distance as the crow flies from Essen
Frequently asked questions about Essen
Does the same sticker apply in the Essen low emission zone as in Gelsenkirchen?
Only vehicles with a green sticker (emission group 4) may drive in the Essen low emission zone – the same sticker also applies in Gelsenkirchen.
How much does driving without a sticker cost in Essen?
Anyone driving in the Essen low emission zone without a valid green sticker can expect a €100 fine, as in Dinslaken.
Does the low emission zone also apply in the towns neighbouring Essen?
Yes, the Ruhr area low emission zone also covers Gelsenkirchen, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Bottrop, Oberhausen and Gladbeck, among others.
Order a green sticker for Essen
One sticker for Essen, Gelsenkirchen and all other German low emission zones.
Shipped within 24 hours once all details are complete, delivery in Germany usually 1–3 working days.
Buy your emissions sticker now – all details about the green sticker
*Exceptions include motorcycles and certain special-purpose and classic vehicles (Annex 3 of the 35. BImSchV).