The six Crit’Air stickers for air pollution zones in France

Vehicles in France are required to display the correct Crit’Air sticker to enter low-emission zones (zones à faibles émissions mobilité – ZFE) in certain cities or risk a fine.

Crit’Air stickers have become a key tool in managing air pollution across many French cities since their introduction in Paris in 2016.

While a vote by MPs on May 28, could signal the beginning of the end of the ZFE, drivers must still display a Crit’Air air quality sticker where required.

The fine for not having one - or not having the right one - is €68.

These coloured stickers classify vehicles into six categories based on their emissions, helping authorities regulate traffic in low-emission zones.

The classification is based on the European EURO standards, which set limits for pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). 

Vehicles with cleaner emissions receive lower-numbered stickers (Crit’Air 0 for electric, 1 for petrol Euro 5/6), while older, more polluting vehicles get higher numbers up to Crit’Air 5.

Classic cars, which are by definition at least 30 years old, are exempt.

This is because they only represent around 0.5% of the vehicles circulating in French cities, and are normally only used occasionally, meaning that they do not make a significant contribution to overall road emissions.