This species is found in Germany, France, Norway and Switzerland, but in the UK it is now known from only one site. This lies within the area of East Anglia known as Breckland, characterised by a low rainfall, and chalky, free-draining soils.
In Britain, the starry breck-lichen requires dry, sandy soil over chalk. It also needs a short, well-grazed open grass sward, preferably nibbled and disturbed by rabbits.