Ecological zone Paris

Paris was the first city in France to introduce the ecological zones. This is no surprise though, because just as for other European countries, it has always been the capital city that set the example for others to follow.

 

Required type of environmental sticker in Paris: At least Crit'Air 5

 

You can read more about the types of environmental badges in the section Types of Environmental Badges.

 

Ecological Zones in Paris only from Monday to Friday

Paris has previously tried to limit traffic in the city, reduce noise and improve air quality. Since September 2015, all buses and trucks over 3.5 tons with the manufacturing date prior to October 1^st, 2001, are banned from entering the city. This ban applies every day, including weekends, from 8 am to 8 pm.

The ban to enter the city was extended in 2016 to all vehicles manufactured before 1997 and motorcycles manufactured before 2000. Such vehicles don't even reach the sixth standard, the lowest type of the environmental badge. There is a total of six types of environmental badges in France, where only electric vehicles receive the highest type.

Please note: the permanent environmental zone is also in the wider area of Paris.
More information about the Grand Paris environmental zone here.

 

Environmental Zone Paris Map

 

The Ecological Zones Apply to Foreign Drivers from 1. 2. 2017

It is not clear yet how Paris, and France in general, will tighten the implementation of the ecological zones. For example, in Germany it is a common practice that entry to the city is gradually banned to less environmentally friendly vehicles, until only the most environmentally friendly remain permitted. It is likely that there will also be an effort to oust the drivers of older vehicles.

The obligation to have an environmental sticker on the windscreen when entering the ecological zone applies also to foreign vehicles from 1.2. 2017, without exception.

 

Penalty

Paris takes the ecological zones very seriously, as evidenced by the penalties, which can be imposed when drivers infringe the obligation to have the environmental sticker on the windscreen. While initially the police only warned drivers, since January 2017 substantial fines have been imposed. If you fail to comply with these rules, you risk a fine of € 68 to € 375 (i.e. approximately £ 62 - £ 320). The sticker has an unlimited validity for your vehicle and you can use it when travelling all over France.

 

Driving in Paris

Are you going to Paris by car?

From 1. 2. 2017, foreign cars must be marked with the “crit'air” environmental badge. In Paris, the obligation to have the crit’air badge stuck to the windscreen is time-limited, i.e. from Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 20:00. France distinguishes 6 types of badge, with entry to Paris allowed for diesel passenger cars in categories 1 through 4 and gasoline passenger cars in categories 1 through 3. If you fail to comply with these rules, you risk a fine of € 68 to € 375.

The entire inner part of the city bounded by the bypass “Boulevard Périphérique” falls within the low-emissions zone of Paris.

Order your environmental badge to enter Paris and get free shipping!

The plaque has unlimited validity and should be placed in the bottom-right corner of the windscreen.