Driving in Braunschweig — A Low Emission Zone in the City of Henry the Lion
Braunschweig, Germany · LEZ
Braunschweig (Brunswick) — the historic Lower Saxon city that was the seat of Henry the Lion, the powerful 12th-century duke, whose bronze lion statue (the Brunswick Lion, the oldest large bronze sculpture north of the Alps) still stands before the cathedral and castle he built — has a low emission zone restricting older vehicles. The compact centre, with restored half-timbered quarters, is largely walkable. Park in a garage and walk; the cathedral, the lion and the old town are the draws.
Can your car enter Braunschweig?
Braunschweig (Brunswick) — the historic Lower Saxon city of Henry the Lion, whose bronze lion statue (the oldest large bronze north of the Alps) still stands before the cathedral and castle he built — has a low emission zone restricting older vehicles.
This page covers driving around Braunschweig. For the zone specifics, see the Braunschweig LEZ details.
Park, walk to the lion and cathedral
The LEZ restricts older cars (German zones usually need a green Umweltplakette — check before driving in), but the compact centre is walkable anyway — park in a garage and walk to the Burgplatz with the Brunswick Lion, the cathedral (with Henry the Lion’s tomb) and the half-timbered old quarters. Germany’s limits: 50 km/h urban, 0.05% alcohol (zero under 21 or first two years).
When the car helps
Keep it for the Harz mountains, the half-timbered towns of the region, and nearby Wolfsburg (Volkswagen) — driven from a park-and-ride.
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
Full requirements, sticker info & exemptions
Renting a Car in Braunschweig?
Compare prices from all major rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
See Braunschweig Rental PricesSome links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Braunschweig operates a low emission/environmental zone restricting older, more polluting vehicles from parts of the central area, based on emission standard. German zones typically require a green Umweltplakette (sticker); check the current rules and whether your vehicle qualifies before driving into the centre. The compact, walkable centre means parking on the edge and walking is the easy approach.
The Brunswick Lion (Braunschweiger Löwe) is a famous bronze statue of a lion erected by Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, around 1166 in front of his cathedral and castle (Dankwarderode) as a symbol of his power. It is considered the oldest surviving large bronze sculpture north of the Alps and a masterpiece of medieval Romanesque art. The original is now in the castle museum, with a copy on the historic Burgplatz square, the heart of the walkable old town.
Braunschweig's highlights cluster around the Burgplatz (Castle Square): the Romanesque cathedral with Henry the Lion's tomb, the Dankwarderode Castle, and the Brunswick Lion. The city also has restored old quarters of half-timbered houses (like the Magniviertel), the grand Ducal Palace, fine museums and a lively centre, much rebuilt after WWII damage but retaining its historic core. The compact centre is best explored on foot.
Use a central garage or a park-and-ride on the tram network and ride in. Braunschweig has trams and a compact, walkable historic centre around the Burgplatz and the old quarters. Parking once and walking or taking the tram avoids the low emission zone and the city traffic, with the cathedral, the lion and the old town within easy reach.
Not for the compact centre, which is walkable, and Braunschweig is on the rail line. A car helps for exploring the surrounding Lower Saxony — the Harz mountains, the half-timbered towns of the region, and nearby Wolfsburg (home of Volkswagen) — driven from a park-and-ride rather than used in the low emission zone centre.
More Cities in Germany
Most-checked zones right now
The zone pages drivers are looking up most this month — each with an interactive map, sticker rules and fines.