Skip to main content

France ZFE 2026: €3.85 Crit'Air, €68 If You Skip It

Every French ZFE grades cars by Crit'Air class, 0 to 5. The vignette costs about €3.85 from the official site; driving without a valid one is a €68 fine.

· 1630 words · 8 min read
Last verified 32 days ago · re-verifying
Quick Answer

A Crit'Air vignette grading your car from 0 to 5 is required in every French ZFE, costs about €3.85 from the official site, and driving without a valid one is a €68 fine for cars.

France does not ask whether your car is clean; it asks which Crit’Air class it falls into, from 0 for electric to 5 for the oldest, and each ZFE then sets the lowest class it will admit. The vignette costs about €3.85 from the official site and arrives by post, so it has to be ordered before you travel, and foreign-registered cars need it exactly as French ones do. Driving in a zone without a valid one is a fixed €68 for a car and €135 for heavier vehicles. The thresholds tighten on a published timetable, so a car that is admitted this year can be refused by the same city next year.

Test your exact car with the Emission Zone Checker, or browse every in-force French zone below — each links to that city’s full rules.

City / ZoneTypeMin petrolMin dieselFine
AgenZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
AngersZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, two-wheelers, light commercial); EUR 135 (heavy vehicles/trucks)
AnnecyZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, light vehicles); up to EUR 135 (utility/heavy vehicles)
ArlesZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
AvignonZFEEuro 2Euro 3EUR 135 (heavy goods vehicles / utility vehicles); EUR 68 for light vehicles under the general Crit'Air regime - but no car restriction is enforced in Avignon
BayonneZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
BelfortZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
BesanconZFEEuro 2Euro 3EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
BéziersZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
BordeauxZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial); EUR 135 (heavy vehicles/lorries)
BordeauxZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial); EUR 135 (heavy vehicles/lorries)
BrestZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
BrestZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
CaenZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
CaenZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
Chalon-sur-SaôneZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
ChamberyZFEEuro 2Euro 3EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial); EUR 135 for heavy vehicles
CherbourgZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
Clermont-FerrandZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
Clermont-FerrandZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
CompiègneZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
ÉvreuxZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
GrenobleZFEEuro 4Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
GrenobleZFEEuro 4Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
LavalZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
Le HavreZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (light vehicles: cars, motorcycles, LCVs); EUR 135 (heavy goods vehicles)
Le HavreZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (light vehicles: cars, motorcycles, LCVs); EUR 135 (heavy goods vehicles)
LilleZFEEuro 1Euro 2EUR 68 for light vehicles (cars, motorcycles); EUR 135 for heavy vehicles (trucks, buses)
LilleZFEEuro 1Euro 2EUR 68 for light vehicles (cars, motorcycles); EUR 135 for heavy vehicles (trucks, buses)
LimogesZFENot applicable to private cars — the restriction covers unclassified professional vehicles only.
LimogesZFENot applicable to private cars — the restriction covers unclassified professional vehicles only.
LorientZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
LyonZFEEuro 4Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
MarseilleZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
MontaubanZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
MontpellierZFEEuro 4Euro 5No fine is currently issued — the restriction is in force but not enforced.
MontpellierZFEEuro 4Euro 5No fine is currently issued — the restriction is in force but not enforced.
MulhouseZFEEuro 2Euro 3EUR 68 (light utility vehicles), EUR 135 (heavy goods vehicles); no penalty points
NancyZFEEuro 2Euro 3EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
NantesZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial); EUR 135 (heavy vehicles) - national French ZFE rate; amount not stated on city page
NantesZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial); EUR 135 (heavy vehicles) - national French ZFE rate; amount not stated on city page
NiceZFEEuro 3Euro 5Cars, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles: no ZFE restriction since 11 April 2025 (arrêté Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur). Heavy vehicles (HGVs, buses, coaches) in breach: EUR 135
NiceZFEEuro 3Euro 5Cars, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles: no ZFE restriction since 11 April 2025 (arrêté Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur). Heavy vehicles (HGVs, buses, coaches) in breach: EUR 135
NimesZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial - 3rd class); EUR 135 (heavy vehicles/buses/trucks - 4th class)
NiortZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
OrleansZFEEuro 2Euro 3EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
ParisZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
PauZFEEuro 2Euro 3EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
PauZFEEuro 2Euro 3EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
QuimperZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
ReimsZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
ReimsZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
RennesZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light vehicles); EUR 135 (heavy vehicles/trucks/buses) - national French ZFE amende forfaitaire. Enforced by police checks; no automated plate-reading cameras deployed in Rennes yet.
RennesZFEEuro 2Euro 2EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light vehicles); EUR 135 (heavy vehicles/trucks/buses) - national French ZFE amende forfaitaire. Enforced by police checks; no automated plate-reading cameras deployed in Rennes yet.
RouenZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
Saint-EtienneZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
Saint-ÉtienneZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
Saint-NazaireZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
StrasbourgZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
ToulonZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
ToulouseZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
ToulouseZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
ToursZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial); EUR 135 (HGV, bus, coach). National ZFE fine can reduce to EUR 45 if paid quickly, rise to EUR 180 if late.
ToursZFEEuro 2Euro 4EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial); EUR 135 (HGV, bus, coach). National ZFE fine can reduce to EUR 45 if paid quickly, rise to EUR 180 if late.
TroyesZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
ValenciennesZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)
Valenciennes AgglomérationZFEEuro 3Euro 5EUR 68 (cars, motorcycles, light commercial), EUR 135 (HGV, buses, coaches)

67 zones currently in force · verified against official sources. Click any city for its full rules and the exact sticker or permit.

Advertisement

How the French Crit’Air system works

Unlike Germany’s single green sticker, France grades every vehicle into a Crit’Air class (0–5) based on fuel and Euro standard. Each ZFE then sets which classes may enter, and that threshold tightens on a published timetable — a car that is allowed today can be banned next year as the city moves the line up. Paris, for example, already excludes the oldest diesels (Crit’Air 4 and 5).

Buy the vignette only from the official certificat-air.gouv.fr — third-party sites overcharge. It is posted to you, so order well before you travel.

Before you drive

  • Check your Euro class on the registration document and match it to your Crit’Air level.
  • Order the €3.85 vignette in advance from the official site.
  • Note that ZFE rules can differ between weekday and weekend, and thresholds vary city by city.

For neighbouring countries, see our emission zones in Germany guide and the full State of Europe’s Emission Zones 2026 report.

Advertisement

Renting a Car?

Compare prices from all major rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.

Compare Car Rental Prices

Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Crit'Air is a coloured windscreen sticker that grades your car from 0 (electric) to 5 by emissions. You need one to drive in any French ZFE (Zone à Faibles Émissions). It costs about €3.85 from the official site certificat-air.gouv.fr, and foreign cars need it too.

Check emission zone requirements

For cars it is a fixed fine of €68 (€135 for heavier vehicles), issued by camera or police. The required Crit'Air level rises over time and differs by city — Paris and Lyon are the strictest.

Check emission zone requirements

Paris and the whole inner ring, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Rouen, Reims and a growing list of others. The full in-force list with each city's rules is in the table below.

More Free Tools

Plan My Drive 2026: One Route Checklist, 67 Countries US Road Trip Rules 2026: From 55 mph to 85 mph by State Emergency Numbers by Country 2026: 112, 911, 999, 000 Emission Sticker Guide 2026: Crit'Air EUR 3.85, by Post Europe Parking 2026: Blue Zones, Discs, €30–200 Fines From 100 to 140 km/h: Motorway Rules by Country (2026) Vignette Calculator 2026: 8 Countries, Dated Prices What Changes When You Cross a Border? 2026 Checklist Europe Emission Zone Map 2026: 596 Zones, 459 in Force Charging an EV Abroad in 2026: Plugs, Prices, 12 Countries Route Planner 2026: The Rules of Every Country You Cross Toll Roads 2026: Vignette Countries vs Pay-per-km Booths Driving Cost Comparison 2026: Two Countries, Fuel vs Tolls Emission Zone Checker 2026: Your Car Across 596 Zones Road Sign Quiz 2026: Test Yourself on Foreign Signs Tyre Wear Calculator 2026: Life Left at 3 mm, Not 1.6 Driving Age Checker 2026: Licence Age vs Rental Age IDP Checker 2026: Which Convention Your Destination Uses JSON-LD Schema Validator 2026: Check Structured Data Road Trip Cost Calculator 2026: 32 Countries, One Total Speed Converter 2026: km/h to mph, Knots, m/s and ft/s Speeding Fine Calculator 2026: Camera Tolerance Too What Pressure Should Your Tyres Run? 2026 Calculator BAC Calculator 2026: Widmark Estimate vs Legal Limits Fuel Cost Calculator 2026: 32 Countries, MPG or L/100km Pack the Right Kit for 2026: Country Driving Checklist Tyre Size Calculator 2026: Rolling, Not Geometric Size Driving Rules by Country 2026: One Sortable Master Table Speed Limit Map 2026: 140 km/h Tops the Posted Limits Tyre Markings 2026: M+S vs 3PMSF, and the DOT Age Code Winter Tyre Dates 2026-27: Pick a Country, Get the Rule How Plan My Drive Stays Accurate in 2026: Our Sources World Driving Map 2026: 195 Countries, 50 US States

Related Guides

Advertisement