From the beginning of 2026, new parking rules will apply in Prague: free parking for EL number plates will end, and discounts will remain only for fully electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
On 1 January 2026, broad changes to parking in paid parking zones (ZPS) in the Czech capital will come into force. Owners of hybrid vehicles will be particularly affected, as their existing discounts will be removed entirely. Advantages will be maintained or newly defined only for vehicles with fully electric or hydrogen-powered engines.
End of free parking for EL number plates
At the beginning of 2026, the possibility for vehicles with the special EL number plate – which previously also applied to many low-emission models such as hybrids – to park free of charge in the ZPS will end. In future, every vehicle, regardless of its engine type, will be subject to parking fees. Holders of EL number plates must therefore apply for their parking permit in good time – either online via the customer portal or in person at the relevant district office.
Discounts only for fully electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles
From 2026, only fully electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles will receive a discount on parking fees. These vehicles will be eligible for a 50 per cent reduction – both on long-term parking permits (for residents, business owners and property owners) and on short-term visitor parking. For hybrid vehicles, all forms of discounts will be abolished.
The city refers users to the website parking.praha.eu, where all details on the new parking tariffs and discount conditions can be found.
New rules for the territorial scope
The territorial scope of long-term parking permits will also be more clearly defined. While holders of EL number plates were previously allowed to park free of charge throughout the city, the 50 per cent discount for zero-emission vehicles will in future apply only within the district in which the parking permit was issued.
- Residents will benefit only in the district where they have their official place of residence.
- Business owners and property owners will receive the discount in the district where their registered office, business premises or property is located.
Registration as a requirement for short-term parking
For the discount to be applied to short-term parking, vehicles must be registered in the new system. An exception applies to all vehicles registered in the Czech Republic before 19 November 2025 – these are already recorded automatically. Whether a vehicle is stored in the system can be checked using the “Check Registration” service.
How the discount works
Long-term parking:
Anyone who is not yet registered must first complete a form and then submit an application for a parking permit. If the vehicle is already in the system, the price will automatically be reduced.
Short-term parking:
Here, simple registration of the vehicle is sufficient. For online payment – for example via digital parking meters – the 50 per cent discount will be deducted automatically. Important: the traditional parking meters on the street do not support the discount; a reduction is only possible when paying online.
Information campaign in December
To ensure residents are informed in good time about the changes, Prague has launched a comprehensive information campaign. Notices will appear in public spaces, on social media and in other media. The city recommends that all eligible users handle their parking matters as conveniently as possible online. All information is available on the city’s official platform.
