If you have been following the news about French low emission zones over the past few months, you could be forgiven for feeling confused. In April 2026 the French parliament voted to scrap ZFEs entirely. Many UK drivers assumed the Crit'Air sticker was about to become obsolete. Then, on 21 May 2026, France's Constitutional Council stepped in — and the ZFEs are back.
Here is everything you need to know.
What Happened?
The saga began when French MPs voted on 14 April 2026 to completely abolish the country's network of low emission zones as part of a broader "economic simplification" bill.
The vote:
- Senate: 224 to 100 in favour of abolition
- National Assembly: 275 to 225 in favour of abolition
For a brief period it looked like the end of the ZFE scheme. Motoring groups celebrated. Several UK drivers cancelled their Crit'Air sticker orders.
But the story wasn't over.
The Constitutional Council Steps In
Low-emission driving zones are to remain in urban areas after the parliamentary vote to end them was struck down following a review by France's Constitutional Council on 21 May 2026.
The ruling:
The Council ruled that the amendment abolishing the zones was insufficiently related to the wider "economic simplification" bill in which it had been inserted — striking it down on procedural grounds.
The Constitutional Council decided that the article passed by Parliament to abolish the emission zones was not directly linked to the subject of the original law, considering it an "atypical legislative rider," which violates established constitutional rules in French legislation.
In plain English:
The abolition of ZFEs was tagged onto a law about something else entirely, and the Constitutional Council ruled that was constitutionally improper. The content of the ZFE abolition was never actually assessed — it was thrown out on a technicality.
What Does This Mean in Practice?
In an immediate practical sense, the ruling returns France to its pre-April legal position. The obligation on towns and cities of more than 150,000 inhabitants to maintain ZFEs is restored.
All 25 French cities with active ZFEs are once again fully enforcing their restrictions.
Including Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Rouen, Toulouse and Strasbourg.
- Fines are still being issued
- ANPR cameras are still active
- If you drive into a French ZFE without a valid Crit'Air sticker, you will be fined
Is This the End of the Debate?
Not necessarily. The drivers' association 40 millions d'automobilistes criticised the decision, saying "the fight against ZFE does not end here." Political opposition to the zones remains strong, particularly from right-wing and far-right parties.
However:
Any future attempt to abolish ZFEs would need to be introduced as standalone legislation rather than an amendment to an unrelated bill — a much longer and more uncertain process. For the foreseeable future, ZFEs are here to stay.
What Should UK Drivers Do?
Nothing has changed for British drivers travelling to France.
The Crit'Air sticker remains mandatory for driving in all French ZFEs. If you were holding off ordering because of the abolition news — now you know it is not happening.
The bottom line:
- If you are driving to France this summer, you need a Crit'Air sticker
- Enforcement is active
- Fines start at €68 for cars
- There is no grace period for foreign vehicles
ZFEs ARE BACK — FINES ACTIVE
Constitutional Council overturned the abolition on 21 May 2026
All 25 French ZFEs fully enforced
€68 fines for cars — ANPR cameras active
Do not risk driving without a sticker:
- ✓ Physical sticker posted to your UK address
- ✓ Works in ALL 25 French ZFEs
- ✓ Lifetime validity — one-time cost
- ✓ English-language support — we handle the forms
- ✓ £19.95 total (inc. government fee)
Order Your Crit'Air Sticker — £19.95
Valid in all 25 French ZFEs
- ✓ Physical sticker posted to your UK address
- ✓ Digital certificate by email
- ✓ One-time cost, lifetime validity
Last Updated: June 2026