Emissions sticker in France: everything you need to know
2 August, 2023 | Update: 03/07/2024
A French emissions sticker is mandatory in many French cities these days. Where can you purchase this emissions sticker and where should it be placed? And which sticker do you need in France? No worries, we have figured it all out for you so that you can enjoy a day out during your camping holiday in France.
- Environmental zones in France
- Which French emissions sticker do you need?
- Exceptions for emissions sticker in France
- How much does an emissions sticker for France cost?
- Where can you purchase a French emissions sticker?
- Where should the French emissions sticker be placed?
- Charging stations for electric cars in France
- Overview of environmental zones and emissions stickers in France
Environmental zones in France
France has very extensive legislation regarding environmental zones. French law allows French municipalities to establish permanent and temporary Crit’Air environmental zones. We have gone through the latest regulations and created an overview with everything you need to know about the environmental zones in France.
Permanent environmental zones in France
In France, various rules apply within environmental zones. In low-emission zones (ZFE in French), you can only enter with a valid French emission sticker. These zones are in effect year-round. The number of cities with low-emission zones is increasing. By 2025, all cities with more than 150,000 inhabitants must have implemented a ZFE. The cities where an emission sticker is mandatory year-round from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM are:
- Paris
- Lyon
- Grenoble
- Toulouse
- Reims
- Nice
- Marseille
- Aix-en-Provence
- Montpellier
- Saint-Etienne
- Rouen
- Strasbourg
In low-emission zones, signs indicate the local rules and at what times exceptions apply. At the end of this blog we have provided an overview of all ZFEs within French cities and the specific rules.
Temporary environmental zones in France
Temporary environmental zones in France can be established due to prolonged extreme air pollution. In such cases, you may need a valid French emission sticker even outside a ZFE. These temporary regulations are often stricter and can affect speed limits.
Cities where the emission sticker is mandatory only during smog periods (high pollution periods):
- Angers
- Annecy
- Bordeaux
- Chambéry
- Chartres
- Clermont-Ferrand
- Lille
- Nancy
- Orléans
- Pau
- Poitiers
- Toulon
- Valence
If temporary rules apply in a ZFE, they override the standard rules. Temporary zones can be set at any time, so keep an eye on regional news. On the road, these zones are communicated via electronic boards, similar to roadworks.
Which French emissions sticker applies for your vehicle?
Which French emissions sticker do you need?
There are six different emissions stickers for France: 0 (green), 1 (purple), 2 (yellow), 3 (orange), 4 (red) and 5 (grey). The most sustainable, newest vehicles are assigned sticker 0 and the most polluting vehicles sticker 5. Completely electric cars are therefore assigned a green sticker. As from 2011, hybrid cars are given a purple sticker. The French emissions sticker is called the Crit’Air sticker (vignette Crit’Air).
The classification of your vehicle is determined on the basis of the type of fuel, the type of vehicle and the emission class. The emission class of your car or motorhome is listed on the registration certificate. You only need to purchase the Crit’Air emissions sticker for France once. The French emissions sticker is valid for as long as it is legible.
If you would like to know which French emissions sticker your car, tow car or motorhome needs, go through the steps on the website of the French public authorities to see which emissions sticker your vehicle needs. You can go through all of the steps without being required to purchase the emissions sticker immediately.
Exceptions for emissions sticker in France
In France, for certain vehicles and locations, there are exceptions to the standard rules of the environmental zones. This applies for vehicles with a disabled badge, private vehicles, category N vehicles and the environmental zone in Paris.
Do you have a European disabled badge? You can simply enter the environmental zone.
Disabled badge
People with a European disabled badge may always enter an environmental zone. Note: the vehicle must have an emissions sticker and the disabled badge must be clearly visible.
Private vehicles
An exception can be made for certain private vehicles as well. This can only be done with approval by the municipality or state. It concerns old-timers or roadside assistance operators.
It is good to know that the most polluting vehicles will always be refused entry to an environmental zone in France.
Category N
Emissions sticker in Paris
Paris has a permanent environmental zone. You can only enter Paris with an emission sticker on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Currently, only cars and campers in Crit’Air categories 0, 1, and 2 are allowed in central Paris. A sticker is required up to the outer ring road, the A86. Roads outside this area are accessible without an emission sticker. Disneyland Paris is outside the Paris environmental zone.
Tips for city campsites in Paris
Camping in Paris is possible. Staying at one of the various city campsites in Paris means staying overnight in a green area. And the connections with the public transport system to the centre are good! Read more about camping and campsites Paris in the blog.
Paris has its own rules in the environmental zone.
How much does an emissions sticker for France cost?
An emissions sticker for France is € 4.76 per vehicle (including shipping costs within Europe). You risk a fine of at least € 68 if you enter an environmental zone without a sticker (amount in July 2024).
Where can you purchase a French emissions sticker?
The French emissions sticker is called ‘vignette Crit’Air’ and is available here. On the website, it is only possible to pay with Visa, Mastercard or PayPal. The average delivery time is four to six weeks, so be sure to order your French emissions sticker on time. It is not possible to purchase a French emissions sticker en route at, for example, a petrol station or a garage.
Do not purchase the sticker from another website. There are various websites that claim they can supply the emissions sticker more quickly. These stickers are not official and often much more expensive.
French emissions sticker also valid in Spain
The French emissions sticker is also valid in Spain. This is handy is you are passing through. Read more about the Spanish emissions sticker here.
Where should the French emissions sticker be placed?
The French emissions sticker should be placed at the bottom right of the inside of the windscreen and should be clearly visible. If you cannot figure it out, watch the instructions and video on the website of the French public authorities that show where the French emissions sticker should be placed. The website also gives step-by-step instructions as to how the emissions sticker must be placed. By the way, did you know that, since 2021, it is mandatory for large motorhomes (more than 3.5 tonnes) to have a blind spot sticker? Read more about rules for motorhome in France.
Charging stations for electric cars in France
Electric or hybrid cars and motorhomes are assigned a green or purple emissions sticker. Those are the best categories. But, naturally, you must be able to charge your electric car, tow car or motorhome. In the past year, 44% more public charging points have been added in Europe, especially in France, Germany and Denmark. You need not worry while en route. Various campsites in France also have charging stations for campsite visitors with an electric car. Check out all the campsites with charging stations in France here.
Charging your electric car or motorhome is possible at more and more campsites that have a charging station.
Overview of environmental zones and emissions stickers in France
See the table below for the most important rules that apply in French cities in 2023. Or, before you leave, check this site for a current and handy overview per city.
| Environmental zones in France | No access for Crit’Air categories | For which vehicle? | Particulars |
| Paris | 4, 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | All vehicles | For motorcycles, cars and light commercial vehicles, this applies only for Monday through Friday (not on public holidays) from 8:00 to 20:00. |
| Reims | 4, 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | All vehicles | |
| Strasbourg | 4, 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | All vehicles | As from January 2025, category 3 will no longer be permitted either. |
| Rouen | 4, 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | All vehicles | Starting from July 1, 2024, you can travel and park in ZFE-m zones with a 24-hour pass (valid for one day), available for up to 24 days per calendar year, regardless of the vehicle’s emission certificate. Applying for and using this pass is free for everyone. |
| Lyon | 4, 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | All vehicles | Between 2023 and 2026, categories 2 and 3 will also be prohibited. Starting January 1, 2024, the ZFE will also include the M6-M7, Northern Ring Road, and Laurent Bonnevay Boulevard. A Crit’Air sticker 3 is required for cars and motorcycles, while a Crit’Air sticker 2 is required for vans and trucks. |
| Grenoble | 4, 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | Category N | From 2025, Crit’Air 2 will also be prohibited for category N vehicles. |
| Marseille | 4, 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | All vehicles | As from September 2024, category 3 will no longer be permitted either. |
| Montpellier | 4, 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | All vehicles | As from January 2025, category 3 will no longer be permitted either. |
| Aix-en-Provence | 4, 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | All vehicles | As from September 2024, category 3 will no longer be permitted either. |
| Saint-Etienne | 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | All vehicles | As from January 2025, category 4 will no longer be permitted either. |
| Toulouse | 3, 4, 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | All vehicles | |
| Nice | 4, 5 and no Crit’Air sticker | All vehicles |
Beautiful campsites in France
View all campsites in France. And immediately book a campsite in France for your holiday or for en route. Camp affordably in the low season? The discount card CampingCard ACSI allows you to save up to 60% per night in the low season at more than 1300 campsites in France.
More about camping and campsites in France
Read our other blogs for even more about France for your perfect holiday:
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