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It is likely that some Swiss people will return from their holidays not only with wonderful memories, but also with hefty fines. Due to fine dust and nitrogen oxide pollution, many European cities and municipalities are now establishing environmental zones that restrict the entry of older vehicles. But whether it is an old or a new vehicle, paid environmental labeling is becoming mandatory in more and more regions and metropolises. If it is missing it can be very expensive.
This is not just about inner cities like Stuttgart or Hamburg (as Blick reports), but also about entire regions that often impose driving bans for vehicle types – a huge environmental and no-driving zone across Europe that almost no drivers can see.
Buses despite stickers
For example, in France, where environmental zones exist in a large number of cities, regions and provinces, a distinction is made between permanent and temporary environmental zones. In the ZFE and ZCR permanent environmental zones, permanent restrictions apply to motor vehicles, while in the ZPA and ZPAd temporary environmental zones, stickers are required and the restrictions only apply if an environmental alert has been declared when specified pollutant limit values are exceeded. . Then you also need a story called Crit’Air.
It is sold in six different colors according to Euro class. Cost: 4.80 euros through the responsible ministry or 30 euros from third-party providers. The badge is also available on the TCS website for 24 (member) or 28 francs. Since new perimeter zones are constantly being established in France (for example, Strasbourg was added at the beginning of 2023) and the status of temporary perimeter zones can change within 24 hours, those traveling by car need to immediately find out the situation in the relevant zone. before every trip.
Buying alone is not enough
The website of the Expert Green Zones provides an overview of which environmental label is required in which European countries. The portal (also available as an app) provides information on the current status of permanent and temporary environmental zones on country-specific websites and offers stickers for direct sale.
In which countries do you actually need a sticker? David Pechmann from Green-Zones: “As a Swiss driver, you definitely need a sticker if you want to enter the environmental zones in Germany and France. In the Belgian cities of Brussels and Antwerp you only need to register online.” Important: The stickers must be applied to the windshield of the vehicle; purchasing them alone is not enough. The license plate must also be registered.
Stickers ordered through Green Zones cost 40 euros for Germany; They are also available in advance at TCS for 24 francs (members) or 28 francs (non-members). Alternatively you can buy them locally from Dekra or TÜV for 5 to 8 Euros. Where do price differences come from? Providers charge postage and expenses for the order.
To register online in Belgium you need to pay 20 euros. In Austria, the sticker requirement only applies to vehicles registered as trucks, such as mobile homes. Environmental labeling will soon become mandatory for everyone.
Fine of over 2000 euros in Austria
Austria today already shows no mercy: Driving without a valid sticker for caravans is really expensive, up to 2180 euros. It varies between 105 euros in Germany, 68 to 375 euros in France, and 150 to 350 euros in Belgium.
Source: Blick
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
