Crit'Air Sticker for Toulouse - UK Driver's Guide 2026

Toulouse operates a permanent low-emission zone (ZFE-m) covering the area inside its périphérique ring road. If you are a UK driver visiting the city for business, Airbus factory tours, or passing through on the way to Spain, you need a Crit’Air sticker displayed on your windscreen.

Toulouse ZFE zone boundaries

The Toulouse Métropole ZFE covers the entire area within the périphérique, the orbital motorway that encircles the city centre. This includes the historic core around the Capitole, the Saint-Cyprien district, and all neighbourhoods inside the ring. The zone boundary follows the A620/A621 ring road closely, though certain sections of the périphérique itself fall within the restricted area.

Since January 2024, the zone has been active and enforced. In January 2025, restrictions tightened further with the addition of Crit’Air 4 vehicles to the ban list. Enforcement is carried out through roadside checks and an expanding network of automatic number plate recognition cameras.

What is banned

Crit’Air 5, unclassified (pre-1997) vehicles, and Crit’Air 4 diesel vehicles are currently prohibited from entering the zone during enforcement hours. Most UK diesel cars registered before 2006 fall into Crit’Air 4 or worse, so check your category before travelling.

Airbus and business travel

Toulouse is the headquarters of Airbus and a major hub for the European aerospace industry. The Airbus factory complex and the Aeroscopia aviation museum are located at Blagnac, northwest of the city centre. Both sites sit inside the ZFE boundary. If you are driving to a business meeting, factory visit, or the Maison Airbus visitor experience, you will need a valid Crit’Air sticker.

Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is also within the zone. If you are collecting or returning a hire car at the airport, the rental vehicle should already carry a sticker, but it is worth confirming with the hire company before you set off.

Driving through Toulouse to Spain

Many UK drivers pass through Toulouse on the long drive south to the Spanish border. The A61 from Carcassonne and the A62 from Bordeaux meet at the Toulouse périphérique junction. If you are heading to Andorra, Barcelona, or the Pyrenees, your route may clip the edge of the ZFE.

To avoid the zone entirely, you can stay on the outer sections of the périphérique where signage indicates you are outside the ZFE boundary. However, if your satnav routes you through the city centre or you need to stop for fuel within the ring, you will need the sticker. Planning your stop just outside the périphérique is the simplest workaround if your vehicle is banned.

The A61/A62 junction

The motorway interchange south of Toulouse connects traffic heading towards Spain. If you remain on the A64 towards Tarbes or continue on the A61 towards Narbonne, you can skirt the city without entering the restricted area. Check your specific route carefully, as some slip roads do cross into the zone.

Canal du Midi and tourism

Toulouse is the starting point for the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site popular with UK tourists. The canal basin at Port de l’Embouchure is in the heart of the ZFE. If you plan to drive into the city to begin a canal boat holiday or visit the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, or the Cité de l’Espace science park, you will need the sticker.

The Cité de l’Espace, located in the eastern suburbs, is inside the périphérique and therefore within the zone. Driving to any major Toulouse attraction means passing through the ZFE.

Fines and enforcement

Driving without a valid Crit’Air sticker in Toulouse’s ZFE carries a fine of EUR 68 for cars and motorcycles, reduced to EUR 45 if paid within 15 days. Coaches and heavy goods vehicles face fines of up to EUR 450. French authorities can pursue fines against UK-registered vehicles, and automated camera enforcement means penalties can arrive by post weeks after your trip.

How to apply from the UK

Through France Stickers, you can get your official Crit’Air sticker delivered to your UK address for just £7. Enter your registration number, confirm your vehicle details, and we handle the French-language application and V5C translation. The sticker is valid for the lifetime of your vehicle and does not expire.