Russia grants one‑year free city parking for owners of domestically made cars

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade announced a proposal to exempt owners of newly manufactured Russian‑made vehicles from paid city parking fees for one year after registration. The scheme still requires approval from several other ministries, and the ministry plans to publish a list of qualifying models. Officials warned that the measure could aggravate parking shortages in high‑traffic areas and increase congestion.

The incentive aims to boost demand for locally produced cars after many Western manufacturers withdrew from the Russian market following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, while Chinese firms continue to sell vehicles under Russian brands. The plan comes as smaller businesses seek ways to offset the cost of importing grey‑market Western cars.

The proposal is part of a broader effort to support Russia’s automotive sector, which recently introduced an updated Lada Niva model among the eligible vehicles.