Low-emission zone in Essen
On 1 October 2008, Essen was one of the first German cities to introduce a low-emission zone where an emissions sticker is required for motorized vehicles. Since 1 January 2012, the low-emission zone of Essen is part of the larger zone of the Ruhr area. On this page you can read everything you need to know. Want to learn more about about the sticker itself? Please consult our homepage. A list of all low-emission zones in Germany can be found here.
Order the official German emissions sticker, now for only €13,95 including VAT and delivery costs.
Map of the low-emission zone in Essen
The orange zone on the map above is the low-emission zone of the Ruhr area. As you can see, not only does the city center of Essen lie within the zone, but also most of the residential areas in the south. The low-emission zone further extends to the north to cities such as Oberhausen, Mülheim and Bochum. On our page about the Ruhr area, you can find a complete map of the low-emission zone.
Exceptions
Highways, called Autobahn in German, are never part of low-emission zones. This means that if you enter and leave a low-emission zone on the highway, an emissions sticker is not required. In Essen you will have no problems without a sticker on the A40 and the A52, but keep in mind that the A44 changes into the B227 (blue line on the map). This road makes up the border of the low-emission zone. While on the B227 itself an emissions sticker is not required, it is required as soon as you leave this road and turn into the city.
Parking outside the low-emission zone
If you want to visit Essen but your vehicle does not meet the requirements for an emissions sticker, then you can still park outside the low-emission zone. The parking terrain Lilienthalstraße along the A52 (A on the map) provides a good opportunity for this. From here regular buses (line 142) will take you to the trade fair grounds (Messe Essen), where you can transfer to line U11 of the subway. Do keep in mind that it will take more than 30 minutes just to reach the city center. Looking for alternative means of transport might be a better option if your car is not eligible for an emissions sticker.
Which emissions sticker do you need in Essen?
The green emissions sticker is required in Essen and the Ruhr area, the same color that is required in almost all German cities with a low-emission zone. You will risk a fine of €100 if your vehicle does not have the green sticker.
Availability of the emissions sticker for Essen
If you already have a green emissions sticker that you bought elsewhere, then it is not necessary to buy a new sticker for your visit to Essen. German emission stickers are valid in the entire country and they do not expire. If you do not have a sticker yet, please use the order form on our website. Together with your application you can upload the required copy of your vehicle registration certificate. If your vehicle is eligible, your emissions sticker will be sent to you home address.
Another option is to buy an emissions sticker while on the road in Germany. At vehicle inspection companies such as DEKRA or TÜV as well as at most large car dealerships, you can ask for an Umweltplakette. You once again need a copy of your vehicle registration certificate, but that needs to be in your car anyway. Emissions stickers are usually not for sale at gas stations, unless there is an inspection station attached to it.
What is there to see and do in Essen?
With almost 600.000 inhabitants, Essen is one of the largest cities of the Ruhr area. It is also one of the few German cities that has a skyline with tall buildings, of which the 106 meters tall city hall is a good example. Because Essen used to be a large industrial center in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, you can still find large but often deserted factories in and around the city. Most famous of these are the mines of the Zeche Zollverein that have been opened to the public. Since 2001, this complex has been marked as UNESCO World Heritage. Last but not least, the modern city center of Essen will provide the visitor with many theaters, museums, festivals and a surprisingly good nightlife.
Order the official German emissions sticker, now for only €13,95 including VAT and delivery costs.