Source: European Parliament
Parking policy and enforcement is primarily a municipal matter falling under Member States’ competence.
Technical barriers to be addressed at national level in the future could include for example the use of the latest digital and technical interoperable solutions for parking to scan licence plates.
As regards parking fees levied by city authorities, there is currently no EU legislation for the cross-border data transfer of vehicle- or vehicle holder-data to follow up parking offences, unless such offences constitute road safety related traffic offences (such as, dangerous parking).
If so, Directive (EU)2015/413 as amended[1] will be applicable in the future and the EU-wide information exchange system (e.g. based on EUCARIS[2]) will be available for cross-border data exchange for enforcement purposes.
For parking fees levied by private companies, the European Small Claims Procedure[3] to collect unpaid fees may be used.
Council Framework Decision 2005/214/JHA on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties[4] can be applied in cross-border cases for non-payment of financial penalties in case its strict conditions are met.
The procedure applies to all offences for which financial penalties can be imposed, including road traffic offences. The final decision imposing the financial penalty must be issued by a criminal court or an administrative authority.
In the latter case the law has to provide for the person concerned the opportunity to have their case tried by a court having jurisdiction in particular in criminal matters[5].
Only the most severe parking offences (dangerous parking or stopping) meet these criteria. Member States can refuse to recognise and execute the decision, if the financial penalty is below EUR 70.
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202403237.
- [2] https://www.eucaris.net/.
- [3] https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/dealing-with-customers/solving-disputes/european-small-claims-procedure/index_en.htm. The procedure covers claims up to EUR 5 000 (excluding expenses) in any EU country except for Denmark.
- [4] OJ L 076 22.3.2005, p. 16.
- [5] See Article 1 (a) (ii) and (iv) of Council Framework Decision 2005/214/JHA.