Vehicle Registration in France 2026: Costs, Regional Rates and ANTS Process

# Vehicle Registration in France 2026: Costs, Regional Rates and ANTS Process

In 2026, registering a vehicle in France costs between **€27 and €55 per fiscal horsepower**, depending on which region you live in. On top of that regional tax, you may owe a CO2 penalty (malus écologique), a weight penalty (malus au poids), plus a fixed fee of €11. This year brought meaningful changes: several regions ended electric vehicle exemptions, and the CO2 penalty threshold was tightened.

> Last updated: 4 May 2026

Key facts for 2026

• Regional tax rates range from **€27/HP** (Corsica) to **€55/HP** (Brittany, Centre-Val de Loire)
• EV exemptions fully removed in Normandy, Brittany and Centre-Val de Loire; reduced to 50% in Pays de la Loire
• Weight penalty applies from **1,600 kg** PTAC — rates from €10 to €30/kg depending on bracket
• All applications go through **immatriculation.ants.gouv.fr** — prefectures no longer accept paper files
• Delivery time for the physical certificate: **5 to 15 working days**

How the cost is calculated

France's registration certificate (certificat d'immatriculation, commonly called "carte grise") carries a total cost made up of several components:

**Total = Y1 (regional tax) + Y2 (vocational training tax) + Y3 (CO2 tax) + Y4 (fixed fee: €11) + Y5 (postage: €2.76)**

The **regional tax (Y1)** is the largest item. It equals the vehicle's fiscal horsepower (CV, a French unit) multiplied by the regional rate. A 7-HP vehicle in Île-de-France generates a regional tax of 7 × €54.95 = €384.65.

Y2 applies only to second-hand vehicles imported from abroad.

Y3 is the CO2 penalty, covered in detail below.

2026 regional tax rates

Each regional council sets its own per-horsepower rate annually. Rates for 2026, per service-public.fr (January 2026 update):

Source: service-public.fr, regional budget decisions 2026

Grand Est saw the biggest increase — +€3/HP. For a 7-HP vehicle, that adds €21 compared to 2025.

CO2 penalty (malus écologique) in 2026

The CO2 penalty applies to new vehicles and imported vehicles on their first French registration. The 2026 scale tightened the threshold from 123 g/km (2025) to 118 g/km (source: Article 1010 of the French General Tax Code, updated for 2026):

Fully electric and hydrogen vehicles remain exempt from the CO2 penalty. However, they are no longer fully exempt from regional tax — see the next section.

EV exemptions: what changed in 2026

The reduction or removal of electric vehicle exemptions is the most significant change of 2026 for EV buyers in France.

Source: 2026 regional budget decisions

Practical example: a 5-HP electric vehicle in Normandy cost €0 in regional tax in 2025. In 2026, the bill is 5 × €46 = **€230**. In Brittany (same vehicle), 50% exemption eliminated means a jump from €137.50 to €275.

Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles generally retain a 50% partial exemption in regions that still offer one. Non-plug-in hybrids (mild hybrid, full hybrid) pay the full regional rate.

Weight penalty in 2026

The weight penalty (malus au poids) applies to vehicles whose approved gross weight (PTAC, indicated in field F.2 of the registration certificate) exceeds 1,600 kg. The threshold is unchanged from 2025, but the per-bracket rates are updated (source: Article 1011 bis, French General Tax Code):

Concrete examples:

• **Dacia Spring** (PTAC 1,073 kg): no penalty
• **Renault Mégane E-Tech** (PTAC 1,636 kg): 36 × €10 = **€360**
• **Tesla Model 3** (PTAC 1,760 kg): (100 × €10) + (60 × €15) = **€1,900**
• **Peugeot e-3008** (PTAC 2,033 kg): (100 × €10) + (100 × €15) + (233 × €20) = **€7,160**

Two categories are exempt:

• Holders of the **Carte Mobilité Inclusion (CMI)** with "invalidity" status
• **Families with 3 or more children**: 200 kg deducted per dependent child from the PTAC used for calculation

How to register your vehicle in 2026

Physical counters at préfectures have been closed for vehicle registration since 2017. There are three ways to proceed.

Option 1: ANTS online portal (recommended)

Go to **immatriculation.ants.gouv.fr** and log in with FranceConnect (requires a French social security number) or a dedicated ANTS account.

Steps:

1. Log in with FranceConnect or your ANTS account
2. Select the type of application (new registration, change of ownership, address update, etc.)
3. Enter vehicle details
4. Upload your documents (JPG or PDF, max 4 MB each)
5. Pay by card — the system calculates your fees automatically
6. Download the provisional registration certificate (CPI), valid for 1 month

The physical certificate arrives by secure post within 5–15 working days.

Option 2: Authorised professional

Garages, dealerships and approved online services can handle the application on your behalf. This is useful if you are buying from a dealer or importing a vehicle. The additional fee is typically between €30 and €80.

Option 3: Digital support point at the préfecture

If you have difficulty with the online process, prefectures offer free assistance from trained agents. Contact your local préfecture to check availability and book an appointment.

Documents required

**New vehicle:**

• Valid ID
• Proof of address (less than 6 months old)
• European Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the manufacturer
• Purchase invoice
• Cerfa form n°13750*07

**Second-hand vehicle (already registered in France):**

• Valid ID
• Proof of address
• Previous registration certificate, crossed out with the mention "Vendu le [date]" and signed by the seller
• Certificate of non-encumbrance (non-gage), less than 15 days old
• Valid roadworthiness test (contrôle technique) if vehicle is over 4 years old
• Cerfa form n°15776*01 (declaration of sale)

**Imported vehicle (from EU):**

• Foreign registration document
• CoC or technical compliance certificate (quitus technique) from the DREAL
• Valid ID and proof of address
• French roadworthiness test

Frequently asked questions

**Are electric vehicles still exempt from regional tax in France in 2026?**

It depends on the region. Île-de-France and PACA maintain a 50% exemption. Normandy, Centre-Val de Loire and Brittany removed all exemptions in 2026. Check with your regional council before purchasing.

**Does the weight penalty apply when buying a second-hand car already registered in France?**

No. The weight penalty only applies on first registration in France. Buying a second-hand car already registered here does not trigger a new weight penalty.

**Where do I find my vehicle's PTAC for the weight penalty calculation?**

The PTAC is in field **F.2** of the current registration certificate, and also on the manufacturer's plate in the engine compartment.

**How long does the registration process take online?**

Once your application is submitted and approved on ants.gouv.fr, you receive a provisional certificate immediately (downloadable). The physical carte grise arrives within 5 to 15 working days.

**Can I register a vehicle without a FranceConnect account?**

Yes. You can create a direct ANTS account without FranceConnect, though FranceConnect is the simpler route for most people. Alternatively, use an authorised professional or the free support service at your préfecture.

Useful links

• ANTS online registration portal
• service-public.fr — Vehicle registration guide
• Legifrance — Tax Code Article 1010 (CO2 penalty)
• Related: What changes in March 2026 in France
• Related: Car insurance costs in France 2026

Information on this page is provided for guidance only and may be subject to change. For official procedures, always use immatriculation.ants.gouv.fr or service-public.fr. checkeverything.fr is not an administrative body and does not collect personal data in connection with vehicle registration procedures.