Low-emission zone in Gelsenkirchen
Since the introduction of a low-emission zone in Gelsenkirchen on 1 October 2008, an emissions sticker has been required for most motorized vehicles. As of 1 January 2012, Gelsenkirchen also falls within the low-emission zone of the Ruhr area. On this page you can read all about the situation in Gelsenkirchen. Looking for a different city? Then click here for a list of all low-emission zones. Head over to the homepage for more information about the sticker system itself.
Order the official German emissions sticker, now for only €13,95 including VAT and delivery costs.
Map of the low-emission zone in Gelsenkirchen
On the map above, the low-emission zone of the Ruhr area corresponds to the orange part. Almost all of Gelsenkirchen falls within the zone, including the city center, the zoo and Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen. Only a few residential areas north of the L511 lie outside the low-emission zone. As you can see, the zone also extends further to the west, south and east. For a map of the entire low-emission zone, please look at our page about the Ruhr area.
Exceptions
As everywhere in Germany, the highways are not part of the low-emission zone in Gelsenkirchen and the Ruhr area. If you enter and leave the zone on the A2 or A42, an emissions sticker is not required. You may leave to reach a gas station alongside the highway, but to briefly enter the city a sticker will be necessary.
Parking outside the low-emission zone
Because Gelsenkirchen lies right in the middle of Germany’s largest low-emission zone, it is not easy to park outside this zone and then reach the city by public transport. While theoretically you could park in Gelsenkirchen-Nord and then take the S-Bahn, you would have to take a train to Essen first and then transfer to Gelsenkirchen. This would be very time consuming. If you plan to visit Gelsenkirchen, it is best to do this with a car that has an emissions sticker. Alternatively, you could look to make the journey by train.
Which emissions sticker do you need in Gelsenkirchen?
As in the entire Ruhr area, it is the green emissions sticker that is required in Gelsenkirchen. Most vehicles with a petrol engine from 1992 or newer and diesel engines from 2006 or newer are eligible for the green sticker.
Availability of the green emissions sticker
The green emissions sticker can be bought all over Germany at vehicle inspection companies such as DEKRA or TÜV. Ask for an Umweltplakette or a Feinstaubplakette and be sure to take your vehicle registration certificate with you. Many, usually larger car dealerships can also help you out. Most gas stations along the highway do not sell the emissions sticker however, because they often are not authorized to perform emission checks.
Unless you leave soon, another option is to order your sticker online for which you can use our order form. A digital copy of your vehicle registration certificate is required and if your vehicle is eligible, the sticker will be sent to your home address. Payment options you can choose from include most credit cards, Apple Pay and SEPA bank transfer.
What is there to see and do in Gelsenkirchen?
Even though Gelsenkirchen is a large city with more than 250.000 inhabitants, it is not a popular tourist destination. It only became a major city at the end of the 19th century. Nowadays it is a large residential city. Many inhabitants work in the service industry or in neighboring cities such as Bochum and Essen. Among the attractions are the zoo and the Zeche Nordstern, a former coal mine that can be visited by the public. Der Deutschlandexpress is a large collection of model trains, while Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen and Kunstmuseum Gelsenkirchen are two other interesting museums.
Order the official German emissions sticker, now for only €13,95 including VAT and delivery costs.