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EU competition probes and Polish fine reforms

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2026-07-27 06:55 UTC → 2026-07-28 12:44 UTC · added ~~removed~~

EU competition probes ~~of private parking operators~~ and Polish fine reforms

European competition regulators have intensified scrutiny of private‑sector parking firms over unfair ticketing and extra‑charge practices. In mid‑July 2026, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a formal investigation of Euro Car Parks, one of the country’s largest operators, after uncovering that many tickets were issued within minutes of entering a car park and that appeals often failed to reduce charges. The CMA’s probe follows a earlier £473,000 fine for non‑cooperation and includes recommendations for a new code of practice to improve transparency for motorists. A week later, Poland’s competition authority (UOKiK) announced fines against private parking operators for imposing additional fees when drivers used free parking at supermarkets or shopping centres without taking a ticket. The regulator reported a rise in consumer complaints, recorded 456 complaints in the first half of 2026, and highlighted problems such as unclear signage and rapid issuance of charge notices. UOKiK is investigating several operators, including APCOA Polska, and has taken legal action against firms that refuse to supply required information. On 27 July 2026, Polish lawmaker Małgorzata Tracz called for the standard illegal‑parking fine to be raised from 100 zł to 500‑1 000 zł, arguing the existing amount no longer deters violations. UOKiK’s recent enforcement actions reflect that push: it imposed a 42 730 zł penalty on Prawne Rozwiązania Parkingowe for withholding information and an 822 850 zł fine on APCOA Polska for broader consumer‑protection breaches, while investigations also target Trafipark and ANPOL. The combination of heightened regulatory scrutiny and proposed fine reforms signals a tightening of Poland’s parking enforcement regime. Together, these actions show a growing trend of competition watchdogs across Europe targeting private parking companies for practices deemed unfair to consumers, signalling a broader regulatory push for greater transparency and consumer protection in the sector.

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