Price increase in Cologne: Parking will be up to 100% more expensive in 2025!

Price increase in Cologne: Parking will be up to 100% more expensive in 2025!

Parking in Cologne will probably become more expensive in the coming months, that's for sure. The City Council will vote Thursday on a fee increase that extends to 12 city-owned parking garages and numerous curbside parking options. After nine years without adjustments, the increases have become necessary to finance the maintenance and renovation of the parks. These plans were taken up by [Radio Köln](https://www.radio-koeln.de/artikel/koelner-parkplaetze-sollen-teurer- Werden-2369905.html) and [Express](https://www.express.de/koeln/preis-schock-koelner-parkhaeuser- Werden-teurer-1055183) and are already causing lively discussions.

The new prices will particularly affect the city center, where parking costs will rise to 2.10 euros per hour. This represents an increase of one third. Outside the city, for example in the Zoo district or in Mülheim, the fee doubles from 90 cents to 1.80 euros per hour. There is also a special tariff for zoo visitors: you can park all day for 4 euros. The city expects these changes to generate annual revenue of around 12.7 million euros.

Reactions to the increases

However, the increase in parking fees is not only met with approval. The Cologne FDP speaks of a “cold rip-off”, while many citizens are already holding their breath when they think about the future costs. In addition, the popular “bun button,” which allows 15 minutes of free parking, will continue to exist. This means that Cologne residents and visitors can grab a quick sandwich without having to dig deep into their pockets.

The new parking fee regulations are part of a comprehensive change in the city's transport policy. The city of Cologne plans to further develop the 2019 regulations by making editorial adjustments. As the city administration explains in a statement, the new order not only makes price adjustments, but is also intended to promote environmentally friendly means of transport and reduce emissions. The City of Cologne is pursuing its goal of creating sustainable parking space management and increasing the city's attractiveness.

Additional details on fee structure

The regulations not only affect parking costs, but also the maximum permitted parking times. Long-term parking will be discontinued in the city center in the future, while there will continue to be spaces for long-term parking in districts 2 to 9. A new fee schedule is intended to boost annual income: according to the city administration's forecasts, parking fees are expected to generate around €21.25 million in 2024.

Politicians are therefore faced with important decisions - the next city council meeting on July 3rd could pave the way for the new parking fee regulations. It remains to be seen whether it will ultimately be a sensible solution for all road users or whether one could wish for more cost efficiency. One thing is certain, however: the discussions about Cologne's park landscape are anything but resolved.