Free parking for many cars in Budapest could soon disappear

As Budapest faces growing traffic and pollution concerns, Mayor Gergely Karácsony is proposing new restrictions on free parking for vehicles with green license plates. Under the new plan, only fully electric cars registered in Budapest would retain free parking privileges, a shift that could end complimentary parking for plug-in hybrids and out-of-city electric vehicles.

Fewer cars to be eligible for free parking in Budapest

Budapest’s free parking for green-plated cars may soon become more restricted, as Mayor Gergely Karácsony is set to propose new regulations aimed at narrowing the scope of vehicles eligible for this benefit. According to a report by 24.hu, the draft proposal would allow only fully electric vehicles registered in Budapest to continue parking for free, ending free access for plug-in hybrids and electric cars from outside the capital if passed.

View of Reviczky Street in Budapest, Hungary. Photo: depositphotos.com

The proposal reflects growing concern about Budapest’s parking infrastructure, which faces increasing strain from the rising number of vehicles in the city. In recent years, Budapest has struggled with limited parking space in its central districts, an issue compounded by commuters who drive into the capital from neighbouring areas. Currently, all green-plated vehicles, including plug-in hybrids and non-local registrations, benefit from free parking privileges, which has led to a significant increase in vehicles with green plates occupying valuable urban parking space. The city’s administration argues that this unrestricted access undermines Budapest’s goal of managing traffic congestion and supporting a shift toward genuinely zero-emission travel within the city limits.

Regulations to be tightened around green plates

As of now, Hungary has over 100,000 green-plated cars, about 60% of which are fully electric, while the remaining 40% are plug-in hybrids, e-cars.hu writes. While plug-in hybrids offer some environmental advantages, they have limitations. A study from the European Commission revealed that many plug-in hybrid drivers rarely charge their vehicles fully, reducing the environmental benefit of these vehicles compared to all-electric options. This has fueled debate over whether they should continue enjoying the same privileges as zero-emission cars, which prompted the government to revise the green plate eligibility criteria.

Photo: Facebook/Energiaügyi Minisztérium

An agreement between Budapest and the national government supports tightening regulations around green plates, with the proposal aligning with recent legislative changes. A government decree in August 2024 ruled that only fully electric, emission-free vehicles can receive green plates in Hungary, disqualifying plug-in hybrids from this benefit. Under the new regulation, hybrid cars previously granted green plates will need to switch to regular white plates by November 30, 2026, marking a transition to a more stringent system that emphasises zero emissions.

Parking challenges in Budapest

Budapest’s parking challenges have been an ongoing concern for Mayor Karácsony, who commented in a social media post in February that “all green-plated cars park for free in Budapest. Even if they are not fully electric, even if they’re oversized, and even if their owners aren’t even from Budapest.” He emphasised that parking fees are meant to regulate traffic, adding that while zero-emission cars align with this aim, plug-in hybrids and commuters taking advantage of the green plate system without contributing to Budapest’s local economy present a different case. This proposed regulation, if approved, would primarily impact non-Budapest residents who commute to the city, reducing free parking availability and prioritising fully electric, locally registered cars.

Read also:

• Important: Hungary to revoke green number plates from hybrid vehicles 
• Number of battery electric cars in Hungary climbs over 60,000 

Featured image: depositphotos.com