20.10.2022
A guide to Vienna’s Parkpickerl public parking system
City centre parking has always been a contentious issue for local governments. Many cities have opted for various measures such as congestion fees and special parking zones to reduce congestion and emissions in urban areas. One such city is Vienna. Following years of pressure from green party politicians, the Austrian capital has come up with the so-called ‘Parkpickerl Wien’ - a permanent parking permit for the city’s short-term parking zones. Here’s how it works when car-sharing in Vienna with SHARE NOW.
What is Vienna’s Parkpickerl?
All districts in Vienna are now classified as short-term parking zones. This means you can only park there for a restricted period of time and have to pay a parking fee. Residents can apply for a permanent parking permit for residents known as a "Parkpickerl", allowing them to park without time restrictions. Given that fee-based parking zones now cover the whole city, a Parkpickerl is a must if you want to park in Vienna for any length of time.
When was the Parkpickerl introduced?
The Parkpickerl Vienna was a long time coming. A parking meter fee for short-term parking zones has existed since the 1970s, but it wasn’t until recently that major changes came into to shake up inner-city parking in Vienna. The Parkpickerl has slowly been creeping into districts across the Austrian capital over the years, but in June 2021 City Councillor for Innovation, Urban Planning and Mobility, Ulli Sima announced the Parkpickerl would be citywide from March 2022.
Why was the Parkpickerl introduced?
The introduction of Parkpickerl zones has not been without controversy. Residents tend not to be in favour of restrictions. The Parkpickerl is also not free. Residents have to pay 10 € per month to own one, plus federal and administration fees. There are no fees for SHARE NOW car-sharing customers. Sima said at the time of its announcement: “[The Parkpickerl] creates more space for people in the districts and better quality of life thanks to green spaces and trees, because we simply don’t need as much space for parked cars.”
Can you park in the Parkpickerl zones with car-sharing?
All SHARE NOW car-sharing cars in Vienna are registered to park in short-term parking zones without the need to worry about time restrictions and limitations, as long as they are not for residents only. There’s also no need to enter any information into the app or a parking meter, simply park up and end your trip. Just be aware that some Parkpickerl zones are for residents only and not car-sharing customers. To learn more about parking in Vienna, read our full guide.
David McCourt
Sr. Editorial Content Strategist
"Own less, share more."
David is on a mission to improve the quality of life in cities through modern mobility solutions.
