European Licence Plate Codes
The country distinguishing letters on the blue EU band and national plates — for 48 European countries, with format and examples.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the blue strip (EU band) on a number plate?
The blue band on the left of EU plates (the "Euroband") shows a circle of 12 yellow stars (the EU symbol) and the country code of the member state where the vehicle is registered — for example D for Germany, F for France, BG for Bulgaria.
What does the letter on a plate (D, F, BG…) mean?
It is the international distinguishing sign of the country of registration. It replaces the old oval stickers and identifies the country of origin when travelling abroad.
Do all European countries use the blue EU band?
No. EU member states use the blue band with 12 stars. Non-EU countries (e.g. Switzerland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Serbia) use their own national strip or flag instead.
What is the standard size of European plates?
Most European plates measure 520 × 110 mm (or 520 × 120 mm), with black characters on a white or yellow background. Belgium traditionally uses red characters.
Are the number formats the same in every country?
No. Each country has its own scheme — some start with a district/city code (Germany, Bulgaria, Switzerland), others use a nationwide sequence (France, Spain). The formats shown here are representative and simplified.
Where does this data come from?
The codes are the international distinguishing signs and the formats are the typical national schemes. Source: the "European vehicle registration plate" article on Wikipedia. Everything runs in your browser, with no tracking.