Since 1 January 2025, Crit'Air 3 vehicles are officially banned from the Greater Paris LEZ. More than 380,000 vehicles are affected across the metropolis, nearly one in five Parisian cars. Yet many drivers keep circulating, believing they benefit from an exemption. Here is the 2026 checklist by Crit'Air category, the exact LEZ perimeter and concrete solutions for banned vehicles.
The exact perimeter of the Greater Paris LEZ in 2026
The contour: inside A86, outside A86
The LEZ covers everything inside the A86 ring, including Paris proper and most inner-suburb towns (92, 93, 94). The A86 itself is excluded from the zone: you can cross it without a sticker. The Paris ring road also remains accessible to all vehicles. In total, 79 towns of the Greater Paris metropolis are concerned by the restrictions.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm
Restrictions apply Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, except public holidays. On weekends and at night, Crit'Air 3, 4 and 5 vehicles can move freely. This time window opens a usage slot for older vehicles: weekend family trips, evening outings, removals. But fines can start at 8:01am Monday morning.
Crit'Air 1 and green sticker: free circulation
The vehicles concerned
The Crit'Air 1 sticker covers petrol cars registered after 2011, some recent hybrids and natural-gas vehicles. The green sticker (electric and hydrogen) gives the widest benefits: full LEZ access, free parking in some arrondissements, charging on Belib' stations. It is the most protected category for the years to come.
2026 perks to know
Beyond LEZ access, Crit'Air 1 and green stickers enjoy the carpool lane activated on the ring road at peak hours and preferential rates on some Ile-de-France Mobilites park-and-rides. Professionals also get exemptions on certain inner-city delivery restrictions.
Crit'Air 2: full access, on borrowed time
The yellow diesel sticker
Crit'Air 2 groups recent diesels (after 2011) and petrol cars between 2006 and 2010. These vehicles drive freely in the 2026 LEZ, but their ban is scheduled for 2026-2027 according to successive metropolis announcements. The calendar remains political and has been pushed back several times. Buying a Crit'Air 2 today is risky on a 3-5 year horizon.
Crit'Air 3: banned since January 2025
The vehicles concerned
Crit'Air 3 includes diesels registered between 2006 and 2010 and petrol cars registered between 1997 and 2005. Since 1 January 2025, these vehicles can no longer drive in the Greater Paris LEZ from Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm. The fine is 68 euros for light vehicles (135 euros for vans), with enforcement by automatic plate reading.
The 24 yearly exemptions: how to activate them
To soften the transition, the system grants 24 exemption days per year per vehicle for private users: you must declare the trip in advance on the metropolis portal. These days count by the minute and do not roll over. They are designed for occasional medical appointments, removals or family events, not daily use.
Crit'Air 4, 5 and unclassified: banned since 2021-2022
The current situation
Crit'Air 4 (diesels 2001-2005) have been banned since July 2019, Crit'Air 5 (diesels before 2001) also since July 2019, and unclassified vehicles (petrol before 1997 in particular) since 2017. Enforcement has been active since 2023 with random checks. No annual exemption is granted for these categories: only one-off exceptions (collector vehicles, home-care professionals) apply.
Permanent exceptions to know
Collector vehicles (more than 30 years old, specific registration), reduced-mobility vehicles (CMI parking card), emergency vehicles and certain professional uses (fairground operators, home-care workers) benefit from permanent exemptions. The request goes through the metropolitan portal and requires annual supporting documents.
Concrete solutions if you are Crit'Air 3 or worse
The conversion premium
The eco bonus and conversion premium remain in force in 2026, with LEZ-boosted amounts: up to 6,000 euros for a used electric vehicle, 4,000 euros for a plug-in hybrid. For modest households (first 5 deciles), the amount can climb to 9,000 euros under conditions. Files are filed on the official portal and processing takes 2 to 3 months.
Mobility alternatives
For Parisians who cannot or will not change vehicle, several solutions exist: Navigo pass (88 euros/month for zones 1-5), e-bike with metropolis grant, Citiz and Mobilize Share carsharing. Ile-de-France Mobilites also offers combined train + park-and-ride packs for those keeping their car on the outskirts.
The DevisPermis expert opinion
The Greater Paris LEZ became operational in 2025 and enforcement will scale up to 2030. For a learner driver in 2026, choosing a vehicle for the first years is strategic: aim for a used Crit'Air 1 (post-2011 petrol) or an electric, which remain the only smart options to drive serenely in Paris and inner suburbs over 5-7 years. Buying even a recent diesel means betting on a shifting political calendar.
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Frequently asked
Your questions on this topic
Which vehicles are banned in the Greater Paris LEZ in 2026?
In the Greater Paris LEZ in 2026, Crit'Air 3 vehicles (pre-2011 diesel, pre-2006 petrol) are banned on weekdays 8am-8pm, and Crit'Air 4, 5 and unclassified vehicles 24/7. The perimeter covers Paris and 77 municipalities inside the A86. About 380,000 vehicles are concerned in the Paris region, including 200,000 private cars.
When will Crit'Air 2 become mandatory in Paris?
The switch to mandatory Crit'Air 2 in the Greater Paris LEZ was initially planned for 1 January 2025, then postponed. In 2026, Crit'Air 3 vehicles remain allowed under time conditions (weekdays 8am-8pm banned, allowed weekends and nights). The final Crit'Air 3 ban schedule is regularly debated, with a likely 2027-2028 deadline. Watch prefecturedepoliceparis.interieur.gouv.fr.
How to get your Crit'Air sticker?
To get your Crit'Air sticker, apply on the official site certificat-air.gouv.fr (only official site, beware of fake ones). Single price: 3.77 euros including postage. Delivery 10 to 15 working days. Have your V5 ready. The sticker goes on the bottom right of the windscreen. Driving without one exposes to a 68 euro fine, even with an allowed vehicle.
What grants help to change vehicle in the LEZ?
Grants for changing vehicle in the Greater Paris LEZ in 2026 stack: State conversion bonus up to 6,000 euros (means-tested), Greater Paris Metropolis grant up to 6,000 euros for an EV, Ile-de-France region grant up to 2,000 euros, zero-rate microloan up to 8,000 euros for low-income households. Total possible cumulation up to 14,000 euros for a new or recent used EV.
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