Volkswagen will recall 8.5 million vehicles across the European Union following the emissions cheating scandal.
Customers in 28 member states will be contacted over the coming months if it is believed their vehicle is fitted with a device designed to rig emissions tests.
Some 2.4 million of the vehicles being recalled are in Germany.
A statement from the company said: "Remedial action on the vehicles will begin in January 2016 - at no cost to our customers.
"The technical solutions can involve software as well as hardware measures. These are currently being developed for each affected series and each affected model year.
"All measures will first be presented to the responsible authorities. Volkswagen will subsequently inform the owners of these vehicles over the next weeks and months."
The statement added that all vehicles "remain technically safe and roadworthy."
The recall was ordered by the Federal Motor Transport Authority following a plan submitted by VW.
The company has been in turmoil since admitting last month its 2009 to 2015 models were hiding their true level of emissions from US regulators.
The European announcement follows a claim from VW's UK boss that it is "implausible" and "absolutely inconceivable" that the company deliberately tried to mislead people over its emissions cheating software.
But Paul Willis told MPs on the Commons Environmental Audit Committee: "I can speak for the whole group when I can say Volkswagen is deeply sorry.
"Since last weekend we've started to send personal letters to each and every affected customer.
"Constant communication will be ongoing throughout the remedy process."
Mr Willis said he did not think more revelations would emerge over devices fitted to an estimated 11 million diesel vehicles.
The head of the UK car industry body the SMMT, Mike Hawes, also told MPs he had had assurances that other carmakers were not involved.
It comes as a survey found nine out of 10 Volkswagen drivers in the UK whose vehicles could be affected think they should get compensation.
Elsewhere, Italian authorities have searched the headquarters of Volkswagen Italia as part of a local investigation into the emissions testing scandal.
