Will the state reimburse us for the Crit’Air sticker?

The recent decision by the National Assembly committee to eliminate Low Emission Zones (LEZ) raises questions about the future of the Crit’Air sticker.

Introduced in 2016, this Crit’Air sticker, or environmental badge, is currently mandatory for driving in certain urban areas, especially during pollution peaks. However, with the removal of LEZ, its usefulness is being called into question.

Despite this vote, the Crit’Air sticker remains mandatory as long as the law has not been definitively adopted and promulgated. Drivers circulating without this sticker in the affected areas face a fine of 68 euros for light vehicles and 135 euros for heavy goods vehicles. Therefore, it is advisable to keep it on the windshield until further notice.

As for the possibility of a refund in case of definitive removal of the LEZ, no provisions in this regard have been announced. Given that the cost of the sticker is relatively modest (3.81 euros in 2025), it is of course unlikely that the state will consider a refund. Moreover, the sticker has been used for several years, which could be seen as sufficient compensation for its cost.

Since its launch, the Crit’Air sticker has been ordered by millions of drivers who were compelled to do so. Ten months after its introduction, 8.2 million stickers had already been issued. In the Île-de-France region, 3.177 million stickers had been ordered by that time. At a price of 3.81 euros per sticker, this represents significant revenue for the state. However, these figures date back to 2017, and the total number of stickers issued since is likely much higher.

In conclusion, although the elimination of the LEZ is under discussion, the Crit’Air sticker remains mandatory for now. It is therefore recommended to keep it on your vehicle. As for a potential refund, this seems unlikely given the modest cost of the sticker and its past usage.

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