Bremen low-emission zone: map and entry rules

Bremen’s zone includes the Altstadt, Östliche Vorstadt, part of Schwachhausen and most of Neustadt. It does not cover the whole city.

Areas covered

Bürgerweide car park, by the exhibition grounds and ÖVB-Arena, is outside the zone. Normal access to central multi-storey car parks requires a green sticker.

Through routes and roads outside the zone

You do not need a sticker to stay on the A1 or A27. Conditional exemptions cover guests staying inside the zone and motorhomes travelling directly to the Kuhhirtenweg motorhome site.

A green German emissions sticker (Umweltplakette) is required to enter the Bremen low-emission zone unless your vehicle is exempt. The requirement also applies to vehicles registered outside Germany.

Attach the sticker clearly to the inside of the windscreen. It must show your vehicle’s current registration number. Vehicle documents and an order confirmation do not replace the physical sticker. The same valid green sticker is accepted in every German low-emission zone.

Exemptions

National exemptions include motorcycles and other two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles, certain working and emergency vehicles, and qualifying historic vehicles. The law also provides exemptions for transporting people with specified disabilities, subject to the required evidence.

Vehicles displaying electric-vehicle identification recognised under section 11 of the German Vehicle Registration Regulation (FZV) are also exempt. For a foreign-registered vehicle, this may be an equivalent foreign marking or a blue German E sticker. Electric or hybrid propulsion alone does not qualify without the required identification.

The full national exemptions are listed in Annex 3 to the 35th BImSchV. You can apply to the local authority for an individual exemption in qualifying circumstances. Obtain any required permit before travelling; submitting an application does not authorise entry.

Bremen provides a conditional exemption for guests staying inside the zone. Display written booking confirmation clearly behind the windscreen and confirm the access conditions with your accommodation in advance.

A separate exemption allows motorhomes to travel directly to and from the site on Kuhhirtenweg. It is not permission to drive freely elsewhere in the zone.

When the rules apply

All year, 24 hours a day, including weekends and public holidays.

Penalties

The German penalty schedule sets a standard fine of €100 for a low-emission-zone offence. Administrative fees and expenses may be added. Other traffic offences are assessed separately.