Campaigns begin for referendums to make Berlin car and ad free

Berlin may hold two referendums in September 2026. One proposes making the city car-free within the Ringbahn, and the other removing digital ads in public places. Campaigns are getting started.

Berlin referendum organisers launch campaigns

On September 20, 2026, Berliners who are German citizens will head to the polls for a state parliament election. On the same day, they may also have the opportunity to vote in two city-wide referendums.

The first referendum proposes disallowing private vehicles from driving within the S-Bahn Ring to reduce traffic, and the second proposes removing digital advertisements from public spaces in the city.

But before either of these questions can make it onto the ballot, referendum organisers must gather at least around 170.000 signatures per referendum from Berlin residents by May 8. If they reach the quota and the signatures are validated, voters can have their say on both questions.

With four months to go, organisers for both referendums launched their campaigns this week. Berliners can expect to see representatives collecting signatures around the city until May 8.

What are Berlin's Autofrei and Werbefrei referendums?

So what exactly is each referendum proposing? Berlin Autofrei (Berlin car-free) proposes that private vehicles be severely restricted on roads within the Ringbahn, an 88-square-kilometre area that encompasses all central districts.

Private vehicle journeys within this area would be possible 12 times per year, per person. Campaigners propose that drivers would be able to easily obtain authorisation for these 12 annual private journeys on the internet.

There would be no limitations on the fire brigade, rubbish collection vehicles, taxis, delivery or commercial vehicles. Public transport would be significantly expanded to accommodate new passengers.

Meanwhile, the Berlin Werbefrei (Berlin advertisement-free) campaign simply proposes removing all digital advertising from the city, while printed advertising on billboards and street columns (Litfaßsäulen) would remain.

So, how likely are these referendums to go ahead? If they do go ahead and residents vote in favour of both proposals, what is likely to happen? After they’ve collected at least around 170.000 valid signatures, a quarter of eligible voters must cast their ballots in the referendum. If the majority of voters approve the draft laws, it would then be up to the Berlin Senate to implement the new rules. 

The Senate is obliged to implement referendum results, but as proven with the 2021 referendum to nationalise 240.000 houses and apartments, this doesn’t always happen. Though 59,1 percent of eligible residents voted in favour of the motion, the Senate is yet to implement any changes.