Environmental group: German cities' parking fees too low

A majority of German cities continue to offer low prices for short-term parking, according to a nationwide survey by the environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH). The survey, conducted in 2025 across 105 cities, revealed that 61 cities charge one euro or less per hour for parking in paid zones. While this number has decreased from a similar survey in 2022, the situation remains problematic for many.

Furthermore, 35 cities still offer a "bread button" system for free short-term parking, including major cities like Bremen, Essen, Cologne, and Stuttgart. DUH strongly criticizes the low fees and demands a significant increase to advance the transport transition. The organization argues that public space is too valuable to be used as parking for increasingly large cars.

"Cheap parking must finally stop," stated Jürgen Resch, DUH's federal managing director. "As long as parking fees remain at one euro or less per hour, countless people will continue to take their cars for every trip." DUH advocates for comprehensive parking management in all cities and an end to free public parking. They propose that the hourly parking fee should be at least as high as a single public transport ticket.

Heidelberg and Osnabrück remain the only cities consistently charging at least three euros per hour. Cities like Darmstadt and Stuttgart have higher rates, but only in limited areas. DUH suggests that revenue from increased parking fees should fund the expansion of public transport and cycling infrastructure. The group also points to examples like Paris, where heavy SUVs can face hourly parking fees of 18 euros, demonstrating how fees can influence mobility choices.