Crit’Air is the French environmental sticker (vignette) that indicates how clean a vehicle is. In the low-emission zones (ZFE) of French cities, a Crit’Air sticker is mandatory, including for trucks. Without a valid sticker, you are not allowed to enter a ZFE—or you risk a fine.
The Crit’Air regulation has been in place since 2016 and is linked to the Zones à Faibles Émissions (ZFE, literally “low-emission zones”). The idea behind it is simple: the most polluting vehicles are banned from city centers to improve air quality. Each vehicle is assigned a category based on fuel type and emission standard (Euro class), indicated by a colored sticker on the windshield.
Please note: France’s ZFE policy is currently under review. The French parliament has voted to abolish the national ZFE requirement, but that decision is not yet final and must still go through several legal steps. Important for practical purposes: even if the national requirement were to be repealed, individual cities may still maintain their own environmental zones. Cities such as Paris and Lyon have already indicated that they will do so. In short: for now, assume that you’ll need a Crit’Air sticker. Always check the current status on the official French government website.
For Neele-Vat , the core principle is clear: our drivers and those of our partners ensure that the correct vignette is in place, so your shipment can enter the French city without delay. You can read more about our road transport to France on our page about transport to France.
Crit’Air has six categories, ranging from the cleanest (electric/hydrogen) to the most polluting. Classification is based on fuel type and the vehicle’s Euro emissions standard. Important for transportation: trucks (poids lourds, vehicles over 3.5 metric tons) have their own classification system that differs from that for passenger cars. Vehicles without a classification (“non-classé,” usually very old diesel vehicles) do not receive a sticker and are the first to be banned.
Below are the categories in broad terms. The exact Euro standard per category differs between passenger cars and trucks; verify the classification for your specific vehicle via the official source.
| Category | Color | Vehicle type (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Crit’Air E | Green | Fully electric or hydrogen |
| Crit’Air 1 | Purple | Gasoline/plug-in hybrid, latest emissions standards |
| Crit’Air 2 | Yellow | Newer gasoline engines and the cleanest diesel engines |
| Crit’Air 3 | Orange | Older gasoline and diesel vehicles |
| Crit’Air 4 | Bordeaux | Older diesel vehicles |
| Crit’Air 5 | Gray | Oldest diesel vehicles still permitted |
| Unclassified | No sticker | Very old vehicles, usually completely excluded |
A growing number of French metropolitan areas have established a Low-Emission Zone (LEZ), which is, in principle, mandatory for urban areas with more than 150,000 residents. The best-known and most frequently searched for is that of Paris and Greater Paris (Métropole du Grand Paris). In addition, LEZs are in effect in Lyon and Marseille, among other cities—the three cities that carriers encounter most frequently.
Important: the exact perimeter, the applicable hours, and which Crit’Air categories are restricted vary by city. In some cities, there is a general ban on vehicles without a valid vignette; in others, transit traffic on major thoroughfares is sometimes still permitted without a sticker. Some cities also offer a limited number of “pass” days for occasional access.
Because these rules change regularly—and because the national ZFE requirement is currently legally uncertain—we have deliberately chosen not to specify any fixed category or date boundaries here. Please check the current situation for each city:
| Area | Minimum regularly permitted class | Validity Period |
|---|---|---|
| Paris / Greater Paris | Crit’Air 2 | Heavy trucks: daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Lyon | Crit’Air 2 | 24/7 |
| Marseille | Crit’Air 3 | 24/7 |
An up-to-date and complete overview of all French environmental zones can be found on the official website of the French government. In addition to the permanent environmental zones (ZFE-m), there are also temporary zones (ZPA), which only come into effect during a smog alert—and even then, the Crit’Air sticker is required.
For international road transport, the ZFE regulations mean one thing above all: preparation. A truck without a valid vignette that enters a ZFE risks a fine and—more importantly for you as the client—delivery delays. For destinations in or near a French city with an environmental zone, the correct Crit’Air category is therefore not a minor detail, but a prerequisite for delivery.
At Neele-Vat , we take these factors into account in our planning. For each shipment, we assess whether the destination falls within a ZFE and whether the vehicle used meets the requirements. This prevents a shipment from getting stranded on the outskirts of the city.
The practical impact depends on the type of transport. For groupage shipments to France, where multiple shipments are combined, read more at groupage transport to France. If you’re shipping a full truckload, check out our page on FTL transport to France. And keep in mind that, in addition to environmental zones, toll roads are also a cost factor on the route to France—you can read more about this in our blog post on French tolls (péage).
Do I need a Crit’Air sticker for Paris?
Yes. Paris and Greater Paris have a permanent environmental zone (ZFE). Vehicles entering this zone must have a valid Crit’Air sticker, including trucks. The exact categories permitted are subject to change; check the current requirements on the official French government website.
Which Crit’Air category do I need?
That depends on your vehicle (fuel type and Euro emissions standard) and the city you’re traveling to. Trucks also have a different classification system than passenger cars. There is no single “correct” category for all of France: each Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) sets its own requirements, which often become stricter each year. Verify your vehicle’s classification and the requirements for each city at certificat-air.gouv.fr.
Does Neele-Vat arrange delivery within the Paris Low-Emission Zone (LEZ)?
Yes. We take environmental zones into account during planning and ensure that the vehicle used meets the applicable requirements, so that your shipment can enter the Paris Low-Emission Zone without unnecessary delays. Please contact us to discuss the options for your specific shipment.
