Osnabrück low-emission zone: map and entry rules

The zone covers the marked parts of Osnabrück. The city’s map lets you look up a street and see whether it is included.

Areas covered

To reach an address inside the zone, you need a green sticker or a valid exemption. Foreign registration alone does not provide an exemption.

Through routes and roads outside the zone

A specific access exemption serves designated businesses and Halle Gartlage visitors via Bremer Straße, Baumstraße, Schlachthofstraße and Liebigstraße. It does not allow unrestricted driving on other streets.

A green German emissions sticker (Umweltplakette) is required to enter the Osnabrück 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.

The city’s 2026–2027 exemption order conditionally recognises the Czech environmental sticker issued under Czech Government Regulation No. 56/2013 for vehicles with Czech number plates. This is a specific local exemption, not general recognition of foreign inspection or emissions-test stickers.

Designated businesses and visitors to Halle Gartlage have a specific access route via Bremer Straße, Baumstraße, Schlachthofstraße and Liebigstraße. Other individual exemptions are decided by the local authority.

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.