France Crit’Air guide

The Crit’Air sticker (officially the certificat qualité de l’air, or air quality certificate) classifies eligible vehicles according to their pollutant emissions. It is required when driving in French Zones à Faibles Émissions (ZFE) and during periods when authorities impose differentiated traffic restrictions.

Important 2026 update: France’s Parliament voted on 14-15 April 2026 to abolish ZFEs nationwide as part of a broader economic-simplification law. On 21 May 2026, France’s Constitutional Council struck down the provision that would have abolished the ZFEs, so the existing ZFE legal framework remains in force. Crit’Air requirements and vehicle restrictions vary by city, so drivers should check the current rules for their destination before traveling.

Key points: navigating the Crit’Air system

Required for driving in French ZFEs and during differentiated traffic restrictions; 25 ZFEs are currently listed in metropolitan France, with restrictions varying by location.
One-off, lifetime certificate: no annual renewal, unlike a toll vignette. It remains valid for as long as the sticker is legible.
Six Crit’Air sticker categories, from Crit’Air 0 (cleanest) through Crit’Air 5, plus a non-classified category for vehicles that are not eligible for a sticker.
Foreign-registered vehicles generally need a Crit’Air sticker to enter a ZFE, subject to any applicable local exemptions.
Only certificat-air.gouv.fr is the official government portal. Third-party sites can legally act as intermediaries, but the certificate itself is priced by the state.
Some cities apply extra restrictions during pollution alerts (circulation différenciée), temporarily imposing stricter traffic restrictions during pollution episodes.

Price and where to order

The certificate’s base price is fixed by the French state and does not vary by vehicle type. As of 2026, the official price is €3.85 including postage for vehicles registered in France and €4.91 for vehicles registered outside France.

Avignette.com acts as an intermediary and may charge a service fee in addition to the official government price. If you’d rather apply directly, the official government portal is certificat-air.gouv.fr. Be cautious of unofficial sites charging €15-€40 or more for the same certificate without clearly disclosing the markup.

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Crit’Air categories

For passenger cars, your Crit’Air category depends on fuel type, first-registration date, and Euro emissions standard, as shown on your vehicle’s registration certificate:

Category	Colour	Who qualifies
Crit’Air 0	Green	Battery-electric and hydrogen vehicles.
Crit’Air 1	Purple	Petrol vehicles meeting Euro 5/6 (registered from 1 Jan 2011), plus all gas-powered and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Crit’Air 2	Yellow	Petrol Euro 4 (1 Jan 2006 – 31 Dec 2010); diesel Euro 5/6 (from 1 Jan 2011).
Crit’Air 3	Orange	Petrol Euro 2/3 (1 Jan 1997 – 31 Dec 2005); diesel Euro 4 (1 Jan 2006 – 31 Dec 2010).
Crit’Air 4	Brown / bordeaux	Diesel Euro 3 (1 Jan 2001 – 31 Dec 2005).
Crit’Air 5	Grey	Diesel Euro 2 (1 Jan 1997 – 31 Dec 2000).

Diesel and petrol vehicles are classified differently because the Crit’Air system considers fuel type, Euro emissions standard, and first-registration date.

Where the Crit’Air sticker is required

France currently has 25 listed ZFEs in metropolitan France. Some of the main zones include:

Paris / Métropole du Grand Paris (intra-A86)
Lyon métropole
Aix-Marseille-Provence
Toulouse
Strasbourg
Grenoble
Nice
Rouen
Reims
Montpellier
Saint-Étienne
Toulon
Clermont-Ferrand

Since January 1, 2025, metropolitan areas with more than 150,000 residents that meet the applicable air-quality criteria may also be required to establish a ZFE. The current legal framework also provides exemptions from the obligation in certain circumstances.

Applying for your Crit’Air sticker

Provide your vehicle details from the registration certificate, including the registration number, first-registration date, and any other vehicle information requested during the application.
Confirm your fuel type and Euro standard; this determines your Crit’Air category automatically.
Pay securely online.
Receive an email confirmation after placing your order, followed by electronic order documentation while the physical sticker is being delivered.
The physical sticker is sent by post to the address shown on the registration document, generally within about 10 days for the standard French procedure.
Once received, affix the sticker to the inside of the windscreen so that it is clearly visible from outside the vehicle. If you sell the vehicle or it’s re-registered, the sticker doesn’t transfer; the new owner applies for their own under the new registration number.

Fines for driving without a valid Crit’Air sticker

Driving in a ZFE without the required sticker, or with a sticker for a category that’s banned in that zone, is subject to roadside checks and, where automated enforcement is in operation, camera-based controls:

The standard fixed fine is €68 for cars, with a higher amount if the fine is not paid within the required period. Vans and heavier vehicles face a higher fixed fine from the outset.

Enforcement arrangements and penalty practices vary by ZFE, so drivers should check the latest rules for the city they plan to enter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Crit’Air sticker if my car isn’t registered in France?

Yes. Foreign-registered vehicles generally need a Crit’Air sticker to enter a ZFE, subject to any applicable local exemptions.

How long is the Crit’Air sticker valid?

The sticker remains valid for as long as it is legible. There is no annual renewal, but a replacement may be needed if the vehicle is re-registered or the existing sticker becomes unreadable.

What happens while I’m waiting for my physical sticker to arrive?

You receive an email confirmation after your order is processed, while the physical sticker is being delivered.

Is the Crit’Air sticker being abolished?

No. Parliament voted to abolish France’s low-emission zones in April 2026, but the Constitutional Council struck down the provision that would have abolished the ZFEs, so the existing ZFE legal framework remains in force. Individual restrictions continue to vary by city.

Which vehicles can’t get a Crit’Air sticker at all?

Petrol and diesel vehicles that fall outside the Crit’Air classification system cannot obtain a Crit’Air sticker and may be prohibited from ZFEs where Crit’Air restrictions apply.

Do diesel and petrol cars of the same age get the same category?

No. Diesel and petrol vehicles are classified differently because the Crit’Air system considers fuel type, Euro emissions standard, and first-registration date.

Can I drive through a ZFE without a Crit’Air sticker if I’m just passing through?

There is no general transit exception. Vehicles entering a ZFE must comply with the zone’s current Crit’Air requirements, subject to any applicable local exemptions.

What if my Crit’Air category is banned in the city I’m visiting?

You’ll need to avoid that ZFE, use a permitted alternative route around it, or check whether the city offers local exemptions or temporary passes for certain vehicles. Check the destination ZFE’s official rules before traveling.

Does the fine increase for repeat offences?

The standard fixed fine is €68 for cars, with a higher amount if the fine is not paid within the required period. Vans and heavier vehicles face a higher fixed fine from the outset.

Are pollution-alert restrictions different from the normal ZFE rules?

Yes. During a pollution episode, authorities can temporarily tighten traffic restrictions, sometimes at short notice. Check local announcements before traveling