Prague to End Free Parking for Electric Cars and Portable Permits in December 2024

Free parking for electric cars and the use of portable parking permits in Prague’s free parking zones will cease starting December 31, 2024.

This adjustment is part of the planned revamp of the city’s parking system. Regular parking permits for residents and businesses will, however, remain unaffected at this time.

Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdeněk Hřib explained, “The electric car occupies the same space as a car with an internal combustion engine, and considering their expected increase, providing one-sided preferential treatment with free parking is not sustainable in the long term.”

Despite this change, the city remains committed to supporting electromobility. Investments in charging infrastructure will continue, aiming to enhance electric car accessibility, partially funded by European subsidies.

As part of the new paid zone reform, electric cars are expected to receive discounted rates for certain city-wide parking permits.

The current discount for electric car parking, initially introduced in 2016 as a temporary measure, aligns with Prague Council’s strategy document approved on October 5, 2020.

The document outlines support for alternative driving in Prague until 2030, setting 2023 as the latest date for discontinuing the current preferential treatment of electric cars.

Over the past three years, the city has invested approximately CZK 220 million in developing charging infrastructure, primarily focused on creating a network of charging stations on street lighting poles. Additional contracted investment projects amount to at least CZK 90 million.

The city’s goal is to have around 800 chargers on public lighting poles by 2026, each equipped with two sockets. Furthermore, plans include a concession, using European subsidies, for separate charging stations in public spaces.

Another significant change is the termination of portable parking permits by December 31, 2024.

Originally intended for providing transport services for companies, these permits are frequently resold commercially, leading to speculation at the expense of the city’s residents. The new system will introduce special parking permits for supply services.

Both changes are integral to the comprehensive reform of Prague’s parking system, set to take effect in October of this year. Ongoing negotiations with individual city districts are currently addressing the finer details of the reform.