Do all rental cars have an emissions sticker?

In many European countries, low-emission zones have been established in various cities, where only low-emission vehicles are allowed to drive. This is intended to improve air quality in city centers. To verify whether vehicles are permitted to drive in these zones, cars display an environmental sticker on the windshield. These stickers come in different colors, depending on how much particulate matter a car emits. But how does this work if you rent a car? We’ll explain it below, but please note: the number of environmental zones and related measures is constantly changing.

Fortunately, you generally don’t have much to worry about when renting a car. First, rental cars are usually fairly new (often less than 2 years old) and therefore typically meet the strictest environmental standards. Second, in countries where required, rental cars are sometimes already equipped with an emissions sticker, but not always! Incidentally, such a sticker isn’t universally required anywhere. You can enjoy wonderful road trips in a rental car without a sticker, as long as you make sure you never drive into cities’ low-emission zones.

Popular vacation destinations with environmental zones

Belgium

Environmental zones have been established in larger cities in Belgium; these are called “lage-emissiezone” (LEZ) in Dutch and “zone de basses émissions” (ZBE) in French. Access is restricted only for older vehicles. This is checked based on the Belgian or Dutch license plate. Drivers of cars from other countries—including rental cars—must first register their license plate to be allowed to enter the low-emission zone.

Germany

In Germany, environmental zones (Umweltzonen) are in effect in all major cities and throughout the Ruhr region. To drive there, you need a green environmental sticker (Umweltplakette or Feinstaubplakette). Many of the rental cars available in Germany already have such a sticker. If that is not the case, you can purchase the sticker from vehicle inspection companies such as DEKRA, A.T.U., and TÜV.

France

France distinguishes between permanent low-emission zones (Zone à Faibles Emissions – ZFE) and temporary ones (Zone de Protection de l’Air – ZPA). A temporary zone goes into effect during periods of severe air pollution. The French environmental sticker is called Crit’Air. This sticker is by no means always included when renting a car in France. In fact, it’s quite easy to drive through the country in a rental car without ever passing through an environmental zone. You can only order a French environmental sticker online, but you won’t know the rental car’s license plate number in advance. Therefore, ask the rental company to request an environmental sticker for you if you plan to drive through French environmental zones. You can also do this yourself after you’ve picked up the rental car. Place the temporary confirmation of your application (which you’ll receive very quickly via email) behind the windshield.

The Netherlands

Some cities in the Netherlands (including Amsterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht) have established environmental zones, but access is restricted only for (older) diesel-powered cars. Most rental cars therefore have unrestricted access. Environmental stickers are not (yet) mandatory in the Netherlands.

Spain

In Spain, an environmental zone is referred to as a “zona de bajas emisiones” (low-emission zone). The Spanish government has decided that all cities with at least 50,000 residents must establish an environmental zone. The Spanish environmental sticker is called an “etiqueta ambiental” or “distintivo ambiental.” A car you rent in Spain doesn’t always have such a sticker, but you can easily purchase one at the local post office (Correos). Based on the license plate number, they’ll know which environmental sticker is required for your rental car. Barcelona is an exception; you don’t need a sticker for that city. Checks to determine whether you’re allowed to drive in the environmental zone are fully automated, based on the Spanish license plate number. Drivers of foreign (rental) cars who wish to enter the environmental zone of the Catalan capital must first register their license plate number.

Difference Between an Environmental Zone and a Traffic-Restricted Zone

An environmental zone is not the same as a zone where car traffic is restricted. In an environmental zone, you may drive if your (rental) car meets certain environmental standards; in a zone with restricted traffic, you may only drive with a permit. Residents have a permit, and (freight) vehicles supplying businesses are also allowed to enter. However, as the driver of a rental car, you are not!

Italy

The prime example of areas with restricted vehicle traffic are the zona traffico limitato (ZTL) in virtually all historic centers in Italy. You can’t buy a sticker to enter these zones—you’re simply not allowed inside. Cameras are mounted behind the no-entry signs, relentlessly recording violators, and the fines are steep! Sometimes you’re allowed to drive there during certain hours, but it’s better to avoid these zones entirely if you’re driving a rental car through Italy. In most cases, there are plenty of parking spots just outside these zones.

Spain

Spanish cities also have zones where car traffic is restricted, and it’s best to avoid them in a rental car. In Spain, these are called APR, short for Área de Prioridad Residencial.

Emissions sticker if you’re driving a rental car through multiple countries

If a rental car already has an environmental sticker, it’s only valid for the country where you rented the car (or, more precisely, where the car is registered). This is also the case if you purchased a sticker yourself in the country where you rented the car. But what if you want to drive through multiple countries? Despite cooperation within the EU, environmental stickers from one country are usually not valid in another. The notable exception to this is Spain. In that country, German and French environmental stickers are valid, except in Barcelona, because that city checks license plates. Conversely, a Spanish environmental sticker is not valid in France or Germany.

By the way, you must have permission from the rental company if you want to cross the border with your rental car. When making your reservation, you can indicate whether you plan to drive in another country.

Rental Car Driver Is Responsible

In all countries, the driver of a car is responsible for having an emissions sticker, not the owner (i.e., the rental company). If your rental car does not have an emissions sticker and you drive through an environmental zone, you cannot hold the rental company liable for any fines incurred.