What is a Crit'air?
A Crit'Air is the environmental sticker used in France that indicates how polluting a vehicle is. The sticker is mandatory in certain cities and low-emission zones (such as Paris or Lyon) and determines whether you are allowed to enter a zone with your car. There are 6 categories, from Crit'Air 0 (electric) to Crit'Air 5 (older diesels). The cleaner your vehicle, the more access you will have to certain cities/districts.
What will change for you as a motorist in France:
More cities are getting an environmental zone
From 2026, all French cities with more than 150,000 inhabitants will be required to introduce an environmental zone.
2. Stricter admission requirements
- Vehicles with a low Crit’Air rating (e.g. Crit’Air 4 or 5) are more frequently banned.
- In Paris, Lyon and Grenoble, diesel and older petrol cars are being targeted more strictly.
- Crit’Air 3 vehicles (diesel until 2011/petrol until 2006) are increasingly at risk of being banned.
3. National rules are becoming more uniform
France aims for more unity: the differences between cities will be reduced, making it more manageable for travellers.
4. Higher fines and automatic enforcement
- Fines starting from €68 for passenger cars.
- Automatic cameras check number plates in many cities.
Order your environmental stickers easily via VWE!
- Here you arrange your Crit'Air for France: Apply for an environmental badge France
You will receive confirmation from the French government that your application has been approved within two to three working days. You can use this digital confirmation as a temporary French environmental sticker until the adhesive window sticker is delivered by PostNL.
Your adhesive window sticker will be sent to you by the French government within two to six weeks. In our experience, it is usually delivered between 14 and 30 days. During busier periods, delivery times from France may be longer. Please take into account the processing time at the French government.
Order it on time, that way you will drive worry-free through France and avoid unnecessary fines.
Tips from VWE:
- Order your environmental sticker at least 4 weeks before departure, so that it arrives on time.
- Check the emission class of your vehicle before you apply for a sticker. You can easily check the emission class via this link: Check emissions class
- Stick the sticker visibly on the inside of your windscreen to avoid a fine.
Do you have any further questions? Our customer Contact The centre is ready for you!