At a glance
Careful if you're driving to Paris. The "Crit'Air" eco sticker is mandatory there. Find out more with our tips.
The city of Paris is fighting fine particle emissions by introducing an eco sticker called “Crit’Air”, mandatory for any vehicle registered in France or abroad.
Driving into Paris could therefore become complicated if you're not up to date!
Since 15/01/2017, any driver with a vehicle registered in France who wants to drive in Paris (inside the area bounded by the ring road) must register their vehicle and display an environmental sticker (a “Crit’Air” disc) on their windscreen.
This new regulation applies to two-wheelers, three-wheelers, quadricycles, private cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles, including buses and coaches. It has also applied since 1 February 2017 to vehicles registered abroad.
Since 1 July 2019, vehicles without a Crit'Air sticker and the oldest vehicles (those corresponding to the "Crit'air 5" sticker (Euro 2, 1 and 0 diesel)) can no longer drive within the area bounded by the A86, so this also includes the Paris ring road, from Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. This ban was set to extend to Crit’Air 4 vehicles in 2021, Crit'Air 3 in 2022 and Crit'Air 2 in 2024. The A86 itself is not affected by this rule. (Click here to see the map)
6 types of sticker
There are 6 types of sticker (green-purple-yellow-orange-red-grey) corresponding to how polluting the vehicle is.
See the different types of Crit'Air stickers by clicking here.
Which vehicles are banned?
Local authorities (prefectures) decide which “Crit’Air” categories are allowed to drive in the Low Emission Zones (ZCR, restricted traffic zones) by putting up a small sign under the sign marking the start of the "restricted traffic zone". This sign also shows the hours during which vehicles with a Crit’Air sticker may enter the zone.
In the event of a pollution spike, entry into the ZCR may become more restrictive and affect a larger number of vehicles. The ban may then be extended to vehicles in other categories and, where applicable, combined with alternating traffic based on the licence plate (odd or even number).
If you're planning to travel to Paris during a pollution spike, we recommend checking the media for the latest information.
Is it also banned for vehicles registered abroad?
Since 1 February 2017, vehicles registered abroad must also have a Crit’Air sticker in order to enter the ZCRs. To register your vehicle and request the sticker, go to https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/.
At the time this article was published, the price of the sticker was set at €3.11, plus the cost of postage (total price around €4.21). The certificate and sticker are sent to the address of the owner (or long-term lessee) shown on the vehicle registration document, and remain valid for the vehicle's entire lifetime. Take care of it in good time, as it can take about ten days, or even two weeks, between the request and receiving the sticker!
Warning: several websites offer to order the eco stickers required in various European cities on your behalf, sometimes at an exorbitant price. (For example, the site www.crit'air.fr is not the official site of the French authorities). So stay alert and use the official site.
Fines for those who aren't compliant
At the time this article was published, drivers without a valid sticker faced a fine of 68 euros (although police officers will likely show some leniency during the first few weeks of this new regulation).
For further information: https://www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr/politiques-publiques-reduire-pollution-lairhttp://www.
Other useful links:
- City of Paris - Crit'Air zones (news)
- Low emission zones in Europe[](/en/blog/antwerp-city-centre-low-emission-zone-lez)-Brussels' LEZ[
- Antwerp city centre: low emission zone (LEZ)](/en/blog/antwerp-city-centre-low-emission-zone-lez)
