France Decides to Eliminate Crit'Air Sticker Requirements for Summer Driving in France

Revamped Guide: Navigating Crit'Air Badges and French Low Emission Zones

To the casual tourist or even a frequent visitor, France might come across as an enchanting paradise. Picturesque landscapes, exquisite cuisine, and rich history is what most people associate with France. But there's one more thing you need to be aware of - Crit'Air badges and low emission zones (ZFEs). Given the recent development, this guide will help you get a grip on this essential aspect before you hit the French roads this summer.

A brief about Crit'Air stickers

Crit'Air vignettes (stickers) are a vital tool used by the French authorities to identify a vehicle's level of air pollution emissions. The stickers are crucial for the implementation of the French Government's Air Quality Action Plan.

Are Crit'Air badges necessary for my ride?

While most new cars fit into the least polluting categories and can enter low emission zones, they still require a badge to prove this. The badge you need is determined by the Euro emission levels of your car, as shown below.

How do Crit'Air badges function?

The sticker is valid for the entire lifetime of the vehicle, and less polluting vehicles are granted more access to France's low emission zones than more polluting ones.

The system consists of six levels, based on the Euro emissions, with the green sticker representing the cleanest vehicles and the dark grey sticker denoting the dirtiest and most polluting ones.

Here's the break-down for you:

Crit'Air 0 (Green): Zero emission vehicles (electric and hydrogen vehicles)
Crit'Air 1 (Purple): Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), Euro 5/6 petrol vehicles
Crit'Air 2 (Yellow): Euro 4 petrol vehicles, Euro 5/6 diesel vehicles
Crit'Air 3 (Orange): Euro 2/3 petrol vehicles, Euro 4 diesel vehicles
Crit'Air 4 (Red): Euro 3 diesel vehicles
Crit'Air 5 (Grey): Euro 2 diesel vehicles

Cars with Crit'Air 3 (orange), Crit'Air 5 (red), and Crit'Air 6 (grey) stickers are currently banned from driving in Paris. Orange and red stickered vehicles are also prohibited in Marseille, Rouen, and Strasbourg.

That said, Marseille and Rouen have recently relaxed their requirements by allowing Crit'Air 3 badge cars into ZFE zones due to significant reductions in air pollutant concentrations and improvements in urban air quality.

Where to get a Crit'Air badge and how much does it cost?

You can apply for your Crit'Air vignette on the official French government website. You'll need to know your car's European Emissions Standard for this.

Upload an image or scan of your vehicle's V5C registration form on the website. The website provides you with specifications for image quality.

Remember, you cannot purchase Crit'Air vignettes in France, so make sure to place your order before you leave the UK and display it on your vehicle. It's essential to order it well in advance, as the process can take up to 6 weeks (that's France for you!).

The cost of a UK-registered car sticker is €4.51, which covers the cost of the sticker itself (€3.11) and international postage (€1.65). Plus, once you've got it, you don't have to worry about reapplying; the sticker lasts for your vehicle's lifetime, as long as it's not removed!

Where to display the Crit'Air badge?

You need to display the sticker on the lower right-hand side of your windscreen and ensure it's clearly visible.

What if I don't possess a Crit'Air badge? Can I still avoid fines?

Failure to have or properly display the sticker can result in fines ranging from €68 to €180. While there are instances where drivers haven't been issued fines, it's at your own risk if you choose to travel without one.

Cars that are too old to get a sticker can't drive in certain cities during restricted times, for instance, in Paris between 8 am and 8 pm, Monday to Friday.

To avoid any potential issues, be sure to check your vehicle's compliance and apply accordingly.

History of France's low emission zones (ZFEs) and Crit'Air stickers

France introduced low emission zones (ZFEs) in 2015, making Central Paris the first zone. Crit'Air badges, which categorize vehicles based on type, age, and emission class, followed in 2016. The rules around ZFEs have been tightened since then, with only Crit'Air 1 vehicles permitted in the ZFE since 2024, and a zero-emissions zone planned for 2030.

By the end of 2024, 12 ZFEs had been operational in cities such as Paris, Lyon, Rouen, Reims, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Nice, Marseille, Montpellier, Toulouse, Saint-Étienne, and Clermont-Ferrand. As of 1 January 2025, 42 cities prohibit vehicles with Crit'Air 3 stickers from entering their ZFEs.

For access to France's low emission zones, even if your car has low emissions, a Crit'Air badge is required to prove this, based on the Euro emission levels of your vehicle.
In the realm of science and environmental-science, Crit'Air badges play a significant role in France's policy-and-legislation, as they are a tool used by the authorities to identify a vehicle's level of air pollution emissions, aiding in the implementation of the French Government's Air Quality Action Plan.
The transportation sector, including the automotive industry, is not exempt from the impact of climate-change, as demonstrated by the necessity of Crit'Air badges for vehicles to navigate low emission zones and adhere to the French regulations.
Given the recent tightening of rules around ZFEs and the planned zero-emission zone for 2030, it becomes crucial for the finance industry to understand the implications of these changes on the general-news, as vehicle owners may need to invest in cleaner transportation options to avoid fines or restricted access to certain cities.
The system of Crit'Air badges, with six levels based on the Euro emissions, signifies a step towards more stringent emission standards and a safer environment for the citizens of France, reflecting the political commitment to addressing climate-change and improving air quality.