Low-emission zone (ZFE)
Urban area where the most polluting vehicles are restricted based on their Crit'Air class. Mandatory in French agglomerations above 150,000 inhabitants.
Definition
A low-emission zone (ZFE, officially ZFE-m for “mobility”) is an urban perimeter in which the most polluting vehicles face driving restrictions based on their Crit’Air class. Introduced by the 2019 mobility framework law (LOM) and strengthened by the 2021 Climate and Resilience law, ZFEs have been mandatory in French metropolitan agglomerations above 150,000 inhabitants since 1 January 2025.
In detail
As of 1 January 2025, France counts 25 active ZFEs, split into two categories:
- Territories regularly exceeding air-quality standards (nitrogen dioxide): Paris and Lyon, subject to a mandatory restriction calendar, Crit’Air 4 vehicles banned since 1 January 2024, Crit’Air 3 since 1 January 2025.
- “Vigilance territories”: the other large agglomerations, which meet current regulations but exceed WHO guidelines; they must apply restrictions covering at least 50% of their population.
Each agglomeration sets its own perimeter, affected vehicle categories and exemptions. For a light vehicle, driving in breach of the rules carries a standard fine of €68. Greenway publishes the local rules city by city on dedicated pages (in French), for example the Paris ZFE or the Lyon ZFE.
The 2026 repeal, struck down
Parliament voted to abolish ZFEs in the economic simplification law, but the Constitutional Council struck down that provision (article 37) on 21 May 2026 as a legislative rider under article 45 of the Constitution. The ZFE legal framework therefore remains fully in force.
Impact on fleets
For a fleet manager, ZFEs condition access to city centres: every vehicle’s Crit’Air class must be known, delivery routes adapted, and the zones factored into renewal decisions, consistently with fleet-greening obligations.
Frequently asked questions
Have French low-emission zones been abolished?
No. The repeal voted by Parliament in the economic simplification law was struck down by the Constitutional Council on 21 May 2026 (decision no. 2026-903 DC) on procedural grounds. Existing ZFEs and the obligations on agglomerations remain in force.
Which restrictions apply in Paris and Lyon?
Paris and Lyon, which regularly exceed nitrogen dioxide standards, follow a mandatory calendar: Crit'Air 4 vehicles have been banned since 1 January 2024 and Crit'Air 3 vehicles since 1 January 2025. Exact hours, perimeters and exemptions are set locally.
Related terms
- Crit’Air sticker, the certificate that classifies each vehicle
- LOM law, the founding legal framework of ZFE-m
- Fleet greening, the low-emission renewal requirement
