Budapest to drop all parking meters, require mobile payments from July 2026

The Budapest City Council approved a new parking regulation on 27 November 2024 that will eliminate all on‑street parking meters by 1 July 2026. Drivers will have to pay solely through digital means – a mobile application, SMS or a phone call – with foreign mobile numbers also supported. Approximately 3,300 meters will be removed, reducing municipal operating costs.

Hourly fees will rise by 33‑50 percent: zone A will cost 800 HUF, B 600 HUF, C 400 HUF and D 300 HUF per hour. Night‑time fees at paid P+R facilities will increase to 300 HUF per hour, monthly daytime tickets will be discontinued, and the Margitsziget north parking lot will charge 800 HUF per hour. The BudapestGO app will not yet support the new system; a future update is planned.

The change aims to streamline payment, cut the roughly 100 million HUF yearly cost of operating meters, and move the city toward a cash‑free parking model.