Sofia Parking Zone Price Hikes Blocked by Supreme Administrative Court
The Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) of Bulgaria has definitively halted the planned increase in prices and expansion of the paid parking zones in Sofia, according to reports on March 24, 2026. The ruling confirms a previous decision by the Sofia City Administrative Court and rejects objections raised by the Sofia Municipal Council.
Background of the Dispute
The Sofia Municipal Council approved amendments to the city’s traffic organization regulations in November 2025, which aimed to increase parking fees and extend the boundaries of the blue and green zones. These changes were slated to take effect on January 5, 2026. The proposed amendments included the introduction of a “weekend zone,” increased subscription fees, and the implementation of a vehicle immobilization (“spider”) service.
Lower Court Ruling and Suspension
On November 27, 2025, the Sofia City Administrative Court issued a ruling that temporarily suspended the implementation of the amended regulations. The court determined that enacting the new rules could cause significant and irreparable damage. Specifically, the court cited concerns over increased fees and the high costs associated with implementing the changes, estimated at BGN 11,181,733.
Supreme Administrative Court Decision
The SAC upheld the Sofia City Administrative Court’s decision, finding that the lower court was correct in assessing the potential for substantial harm. The SAC reasoned that cancelling the contested ordinance after it had been implemented would result in unrecoverable expenses for the municipality, including costs related to new signage, road markings, software updates, and parking ticket preparation. The SAC determined that there was a precautionary require to suspend the operation of the by-law.
Finality of the Ruling
The ruling in administrative case No. 2972/2026 of the Supreme Administrative Court is final, meaning the November 2025 changes to Sofia’s paid parking zones will not be implemented.
Municipal Response
The Sofia Municipality stated that its position remains unchanged. According to reports, the municipality acknowledged that while there is no guarantee that parking revenue will be reinvested in neighborhood infrastructure improvements, the price increases and zone expansion will not proceed.
The Sofia City Administrative Court publishes judgments with personal data removed on its public portal.
Fakti.bg and BTA reported on the Supreme Administrative Court’s decision on March 24, 2026.
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