Since 2017, Paris has been classified as a metropolitan Low Emission Zone (LEZ / ZFE-m). The Crit’Air sticker is mandatory for any vehicle driving in central Paris and the 76 Greater Paris Metropolis member towns. In 2026, constraints tighten: Crit’Air 4 and 5 fully banned, LAPI cameras deployed, fines up to €135. This guide recaps everything.
What is the Crit’Air sticker?
Created by the 21 June 2016 decree, the Crit’Air sticker classifies vehicles in 6 categories by pollution emissions: E (electric, 100% clean), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (cleanest to dirtiest). Class depends on engine type (petrol / diesel / hybrid) and first registration date. Sticker mandatory for any vehicle in a French LEZ.
Finding your Crit’Air class
Three methods. 1) Check your registration (carte grise), boxes P.3 and B. 2) Use the official simulator at certificat-air.gouv.fr. 3) Ask the garage at a technical inspection. For recent vehicles (post-2020), class 1 or 2 is standard. For used vehicles, class can be 3 to 5 - verify before buying if you live in a LEZ.
Where and how to order your sticker
Only one official channel: certificat-air.gouv.fr. Site run by the Ministry of Ecological Transition. 2026 rate: €3.77 (postage included). Delivery: 10-15 days. NEVER order on another site: scams charge up to €30 for the same sticker (a merchant was fined €5,000 in 2024 for misleading commercial practice).
Documents needed to order
Three items. 1) Vehicle registration (carte grise) - plate number and first-registration date. 2) Valid postal address for delivery. 3) Payment (bank card only). The ordered sticker is nominative and plate-linked - non-transferable between vehicles, non-resellable.
Current 2026 Paris restrictions
Since 1 January 2025, Greater Paris LEZ imposes: Crit’Air 5, 4 and unclassified banned 24/7 in central Paris and the 76 member towns. Crit’Air 3 banned weekdays only (8 am-8 pm). Crit’Air 1, 2 and E allowed. For 2028, proposed ban of Crit’Air 3 also 24/7 and Crit’Air 2 weekdays - pending political confirmation.
Professional exemptions
Several cases benefit from exemptions: emergency response, military or diplomatic vehicles, disabled-adapted vehicles, collector vehicles (30+ years with " collection " mention). For craftsmen and SMEs, a 24 annual-trip exemption on Crit’Air 3, 4 or 5 is available on application (Paris City Hall site, 5-day lead time).
2026 LAPI camera enforcement
Since July 2024, Paris has a network of 250 LAPI (Automatic Plate Reading) cameras on main axes. These cameras identify non-compliant vehicles in real time. Automatic fining is in pilot since June 2025: drivers receive an educational ticket (no fine) until June 2026. After that, effective fines of €68 (class 3) to €135 (class 4 or 5).
Physical checks
Alongside cameras, the National Police conducts physical checks on main axes (Haussmann, Voltaire, Sébastopol boulevards). These verify presence AND compliance of the sticker - a missing sticker is a €68 fine (Highway Code R411-19-1). A fake sticker: €135 and licence-suspension risk.
Buying second-hand: check the class
Before any second-hand purchase in Paris, check the Crit’Air class at certificat-air.gouv.fr with the plate. Crit’Air 3 limits you to evenings and weekends - awkward for daily use. Crit’Air 1 or 2 is ideal. Petrol cars pre-2006 or diesel pre-2011 are systematically Crit’Air 4 or 5: avoid for Paris.
Impact on vehicle value
Since LEZ introduction, Crit’Air 4 and 5 cars have lost 20-35% of value on the Paris market. Industry professionals advise Parisians in 2026 to favour used hybrids or electrics, which hold their value better and circulate without constraint.
Future Paris drivers: the right 2026 choice
If you are preparing your licence and planning a first Paris car, four reasonable options. 1) Used electric city car (Renault Zoé 2020+, Peugeot e-208: €10-14,000). 2) Plug-in hybrid city car (Toyota Yaris HSD, Honda Jazz Hybrid: €12-16,000). 3) Recent petrol Crit’Air 1 city car (< 5 years: €8-12,000). 4) Car-sharing (Getaround, Renault Mobilize): €5-8/h.
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Frequently asked
Your questions on this topic
Which Crit Air sticker is mandatory in Paris in 2026?
The Grand Paris LEZ bans in 2026 Crit Air 3, 4, 5 and unclassed vehicles on weekdays from 8am to 8pm within the A86 perimeter. Only Crit Air 0, 1 and 2 stickers circulate freely. The sticker is mandatory from the first motorised vehicle. Order it on certificat-air.gouv.fr for 3.77 euros, delivered in 10 days.
What is the fine for driving without a Crit Air sticker in Paris?
Driving without a sticker or with a forbidden category exposes you to a 68 euros fine for light vehicles (raised to 180 euros) and 135 euros for vans or heavy trucks. Automatic plate-reading checks become widespread in 2026 on the ring road and Paris gates. Stick the sticker on the windshield before every LEZ trip.
How do I get a Crit Air sticker for Paris?
Log in to certificat-air.gouv.fr (the only official site), enter the plate and registration details, pay 3.77 euros by card and receive the sticker by post in 8 to 12 working days. No renewal is needed unless ownership changes. Beware of third-party sites charging up to 25 euros for the same official public service.
What exemptions apply to the Paris LEZ in 2026?
Collection vehicles (with collection registration), emergency vehicles, those of disabled persons (inclusion mobility card) and public transport vehicles are exempt. A 24-day-per-year LEZ pass remains available to occasional visitors via the Metropolis of Greater Paris, capped at 24 calendar days over 12 rolling months.
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