Emissions-Control Windscreen Sticker in Munich

Yes, you are understanding correctly. Since around 2008, cars in Germany must display the sticker when driving in a umwelt zone. Signs will indicate when your entering the zone and which sticker you must have...green, yellow. The fine for not having the sticker is approx 40 Euro.

You can find more info here: http://www.germany-tourism.co.uk/driving_in_germany_low_emission_zones.htm

I had a horrible time getting information on this in 2008. It seems to be similar to our emissions testing here in Washington state in that you have to have the car to get the sticker. I don't have a clear cut answer, but what I have learned is this:

Any car rented in Germany will have every sticker you need for driving anywhere in Germany. (since I rented in Munich, my problem was solved)

Some people have been able to contact their car rental agency in other countries and let them know they need the sticker. They were told it would be on the car (not sure how that all turned out, since they were posting before the trip, not after)

Worst case scenario: You pick up the car and you don't have a sticker. Take some information on where you can stay outside the zone in Munich. Cancel previous reservation and re-book. Use public transportation to get into downtown Munich.

or

No sticker: see if you can store the car at a rental location outside Munich and use public transportation into the city. (i.e. you rent from Hertz, see if you can store the car at the Hertz airport location for a couple of days and ride the S bahn into the city.)

Yea, I don't particularly like those options either, but hopefully your rental car will have the sticker. They are good for the life of the car, and since many drivers use cars in multiple countries, we can optimistically hope that rental agencies will get them for you. (But always, always have a back up plan!!)

Thank you both so much. This helps a lot!

Good advice for car renters above.

FYI, for folks needing the sticker for their personal car going to Germany from another country, like we are in a few weeks, it is possible to order it on the internet without presenting the car. You do have to send a copy of the registration documents, and for €15.

I've just done that, and now await with bated breath my umweltplakette (sp?). When I see how that went I'll update the helpline.

We did this last year...rented in Austria and drove into Munich. I did lots of research and it ended up we just had to call Europcar (or email, can't remember) and tell them we needed one and they had one for us to purchase when we picked up the car.