Paris has the most complex and strictly enforced low emission zone in France. If you are driving to or through the French capital — even just passing around it on the ring road — this guide covers everything you need to know before you travel.
If you need a Crit'Air sticker, UK delivery is the fastest way to ensure you are compliant before leaving home.
Paris Has Two Separate ZFEs
Most guides treat Paris as a single zone, but there are actually two distinct zones with different rules:
1. City of Paris ZFE
Covers everything inside the Boulevard Périphérique (the inner ring road). This is the historic city centre.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
2. Greater Paris ZFE (Métropole du Grand Paris)
A much larger zone covering 77 municipalities roughly bounded by the A86 outer ring road. This includes major suburbs, the Bois de Boulogne, and the Bois de Vincennes.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Public holidays are exempt from both zones.
Which Vehicles Are Banned in Paris in 2026?
For the Greater Paris ZFE, as of January 2025 only the following vehicles are permitted on weekdays:
Currently Allowed:
- ✓ Crit'Air 0: Electric/hydrogen
- ✓ Crit'Air 1: Modern petrol/plug-in hybrid
- ✓ Crit'Air 2: Euro 4 petrol or Euro 5/6 diesel
Banned from Paris ZFE:
- ❌ Crit'Air 3: (grace period to end Dec 2026)
- ❌ Crit'Air 4 & 5: Banned since Jan 2023
Crit'Air 3 Grace Period
A grace period for Crit'Air 3 vehicles has been extended until the end of December 2026, during which affected drivers can apply for a 24-hour ZFE pass for up to 24 days per year.
However, this grace period applies primarily to French residents — as a UK visitor you should not rely on it and should check current rules before travelling.
Crit'Air 4 and 5 vehicles have been banned since January 2023 with no grace period.
Need a Crit'Air Sticker?
Order yours now — £19.95
Delivered to your UK address. Digital certificate by email in 48 hours.
Order Now →Is the A86 Motorway Inside the Zone?
This is the most common point of confusion for UK drivers transiting Paris.
The A86 motorway itself is NOT part of the zone.
You can drive on the A86 without needing to comply with ZFE rules, as long as you enter and exit via the main connecting roads.
But here's the critical catch:
The zone covers most of the municipalities inside the A86, meaning if you exit the motorway to refuel, eat, or use services, you will be entering the ZFE and need a compliant sticker.
The Boulevard Périphérique (the inner ring road around central Paris) sits within the Greater Paris ZFE zone boundary, so driving on the Périphérique does require compliance.
Do not assume you can avoid the rules by staying on the motorway without a sticker.
What Are the Fines?
Driving in a Paris ZFE without a valid sticker results in:
- €68 for cars
- Up to €375 for repeat offenders
Enforcement is via ANPR cameras active throughout the zone, which photograph every vehicle and cross-reference plates with the Crit'Air database.
Fines are sent to your registered address by post, so UK drivers are not exempt.
The Paris ZFE has the highest camera density and strictest enforcement of any French zone.
The Personal Experience: Getting Diverted Through Paris
If you have read our UK to Spain driving guide, you will know we were rerouted through the Paris ZFE by Google Maps after a motorway closure.
This is more common than you might think.
A crash on the A28 or A10 and navigation apps will route you straight through the city without warning.
If you do not have a valid sticker, you have no option but to try to avoid the zone on the fly in an unfamiliar city.
Having your sticker before you leave the UK eliminates this risk entirely.
Do I Need a Sticker Just to Drive Around Paris?
If you are using the A86 ring road to bypass Paris entirely, entering and exiting via the main motorway connections, you technically do not need a sticker for that road itself.
However, the practical answer for any UK driver transiting the Paris area is: yes, get the sticker.
Given that the zone boundaries are complex and any exit for services puts you inside the ZFE, at £19.95 it is a one-time, lifetime purchase that covers you in Paris and every other ZFE in France.
One Crit'Air sticker works in ALL French ZFEs.
PARIS FINES ACTIVE IN 2026
Strictest enforcement of any French zone
€68 (cars) | Up to €375 (repeat offences)
ANPR cameras throughout both zones
Fine posted to UK address by post
Don't risk it — get your sticker sorted:
- ✓ Physical sticker posted to your UK address
- ✓ Works in ALL French ZFEs (not just Paris)
- ✓ Lifetime validity — one-time cost
- ✓ English-language support — we handle the forms
- ✓ £19.95 total (inc. government fee)
How to Get Your Crit'Air Sticker
Option 1: Official French Government Site
- Website: certificat-air.gouv.fr
- Cost: €5.11 government fee (including postage)
- Delivery: 4–6 weeks by post from France
- Requires: Uploading your V5C and manual data entry in French
Option 2: UK Facilitation Service (including Europermits)
- Cost: £19.95
- Physical sticker posted to your UK address
- English-speaking UK support
- We handle all the forms
Which to choose?
Use the official site if you have 6+ weeks before travel and are comfortable navigating French bureaucracy. Use a UK service if you are travelling within the next few weeks or simply want the process handled for you.
Paris ZFE Rules Summary
City of Paris ZFE: Inside Boulevard Périphérique, Mon-Fri 8am-8pm
Greater Paris ZFE: 77 municipalities inside A86, Mon-Fri 8am-8pm
Allowed vehicles: Crit'Air 0, 1, 2 (Crit'Air 3 until Dec 2026)
Fine: €68 (cars), up to €375 (repeat offenders)
Enforcement: ANPR cameras + police spot checks
Your best option: Crit'Air sticker before you leave the UK
Other French Cities with ZFEs
One Crit'Air sticker works in ALL French ZFEs. Other zones you may encounter include:
Bordeaux
- A630 ring road exempt
- €68 fines active
Rouen
- On the A28 route from Calais
Lyon
- M6/M7 motorways
- Systematic fines from July 2026
Tours
- A10 route, centre restricted
Marseille
- Port and centre restricted
Order Your Crit'Air Sticker — £19.95
Works in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, and all French ZFEs
- ✓ Physical sticker posted to your UK address
- ✓ One-time cost, lifetime validity
- ✓ English-language support — we handle the forms
Last Updated: May 2026