This article was updated in November 2025 to include the 2026 changes announced by Sofia Municipality.
Parking in Sofia Tips and Tricks are essential for anyone visiting Bulgaria’s capital, especially if you plan to rent a car. Finding a legal, safe, and convenient spot can feel confusing at first, because the city uses a mix of paid zones, free residential areas, Park & Ride facilities, hotel parking options, and private garages. In 2026, Sofia introduces new zone hours, updated prices, and changes to electric vehicle parking, which makes a reliable guide more important than ever. This article gives you clear rules, current 2025–2026 prices, and practical advice to help you avoid fines, clamping, or unsafe areas. With the right approach, navigating Sofia’s parking system becomes simple and stress-free.
All prices here are shown in both Bulgarian Leva (BGN) and Euros (EUR) ahead of Bulgaria’s switch to the Euro on 1 January 2026. Until then, you will pay in BGN. After the changeover, all fares will be in EUR only.
- Free Street Parking in Sofia and Its Struggles
- Paid Street Parking in Sofia: The Blue, Green, and Yellow Zones
- Operating Hours and Prices for the Paid Street Parking in 2025 and 2026
- How to Pay for the Paid Street Parking
- Park & Ride is Smart Alternative in Sofia
- Parking-Only Rates for P+R (Park & Ride) Facilities
- Hotel Parking: The Most Convenient Option
- Paid Parking Garages in Sofia: When Convenience Matters Most
- Special Considerations for Tourists
- FAQ About Parking in Sofia
- Useful Links
Free Street Parking in Sofia and Its Struggles
Beyond the paid parking zones, residential areas in Sofia theoretically offer free parking but this comes with significant warnings. Neighborhoods like Mladost, Druzhba, and Lyulin do not charge for parking, but finding an empty spot often requires patience and luck.
Locals frequently treat public spaces near their apartment blocks as personal parking spots, leading to tensions when outsiders occupy “their” space. Visitors might return to find their cars keyed, mirrors broken, or tires deflated, a primitive but effective enforcement method some residents employ.
If you must park in these areas, try to do so near commercial establishments rather than directly in front of apartment entrances. Local advise also recommends to avoid leaving your car for extended periods.
Paid Street Parking in Sofia: The Blue, Green, and Yellow Zones
Once you venture beyond your hotel, Sofia’s paid parking system takes centre stage. The city divides its central areas into two distinct zones marked by clear road signs. Look for them when you park on the street and pay according to the fare.
In November 2025 some major changes ware introduced in the paid street parking pricing. The new rules and fares will be in effect from 5 January 2026.
Until then, the system will remain the same. Payment for the Blue and Green Zones can be made via SMS to a number displayed on zone signs, through the Sofia Plus and Urbo mobile app, or with paper tickets from parking attendants who patrol the areas.
In 2025, electric vehicles enjoy free parking citywide. This perk makes renting a hybrid or EV particularly appealing for those who rent a car. In 2026 electric vehicles retain their privilege to park throughout the operating hours of parking zones for free. However, it is planned the first three hours to be free, while each subsequent hour until the end of the zone’s operating hours is charged at the standard rate.
The Blue Zone covers the very heart of the city, including areas around Vitosha Boulevard, the National Palace of Culture (NDK), and government buildings. Sofia Blue Zone price is 2 BGN per hour with a strict two-hour maximum during enforcement hours (8:30 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays, 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturdays). This zone is designed to discourage long-term parking and keep spaces available for visitors running quick errands, so knowing practical street-parking tips helps a lot.
Moving slightly further out, the Green Zone offers more flexibility at 1 BGN per hour with a four-hour limit (8:30 AM to 7:30 PM weekdays, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturdays). Neighborhoods like Lozenets and parts of Ivan Vazov fall into this category. In our Sofia Green Zone parking guide we always recommend the tourists and visitors of the city to double check if the particular parking spot is in Blue or Green zone.
Operating Hours and Prices for the Paid Street Parking in 2025 and 2026
Sofia Zone parking prices are listed below. There are no special parking rules for rental cars unfortunately but if you rent a car, your service company can give you tips and tricks based on the type of car you rent.
| Zone | Maximum Stay | Monday – Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Zone – the city centre (in 2025) | 2 hours | In 2025 08:30 – 20:00 | 08:30 – 20:00 | FREE | 2 лв. / 1,02 € на час |
| Blue Zone – the city centre (in 2026) | 3 hours | 9:00 – 21:00 | 9:00 – 21:00 | 9:00 до 21:00 | 2,00 EUR/hour |
| Green Zone – some areas outside the city centre (in 2025) | 4 hours | 08:30 – 19:30 | 10:00 – 18:00 | FREE | 1 лв. / 0,51 € на час; |
| Green Zone – some areas outside the city centre (in 2026) | 4 hours | 9:00 до 21:00. | 9:00 до 21:00. | FREE | 1,00 EUR/hour |
| Yellow Zone – the holiday town of Bankya (in 2025) | FREE | 10:00 – 18:00 | 10:00 – 18:00 | 0,50 EUR/hour |
If you forget to pay, or pay the wrong street parking fee, it is quite likely that you will get a wheel clamp. The clamp release fee in 2025 is 30 BGN and in 2026 it is 30 EUR.
Your car might be towed too. The fee for car tow in Sofia in 2026 is 75 euros.
How to Pay for the Paid Street Parking
There are two popular apps for payment. The Sofia Plus and Urbo apps can be downloaded for free and require a one-time registration. They are available for both Android and iOS.
Through them, you can quickly pay for using the paid zones (Blue, Green and the new Yellow zone). If you are unsure whether you are in a “blue” or “green” zone, the applications will determine your location. The automatic localisation of a specific parking space and the subsequent zone assignment is not final. Always ensure that the location and corresponding zone are correct before confirming payment.
Even better, in case you get in a little trouble and your car is clamped, you can use the apps to release the clamped vehicle remotely using a credit or debit card. The vehicle’s registration number must be entered into the mobile app using Latin characters. This eliminates the need to request a clamp release by phone through the Urban Mobility Information Centre. Then, immediately after payment and clamp removal, you will receive a message instructing you to either pay for a new parking session or move your vehicle.
Park & Ride is Smart Alternative in Sofia
Sofia’s Park & Ride system provides a clever solution, and with a few smart parking strategies you can save both money and time. Five large parking lots sit near key metro stations on the city’s periphery, including the one at Vasil Levski National Stadium. The metro itself is very efficient, clean ans reliable.
- Vasil Levski National Stadium (particularly popular due to its central location and security.)
- Tsarigradsko Shose
- James Boucher
- Beli Dunav
Here is how Sofia Park and Ride system works: if you make at least two metro trips during the day (with at least 60 minutes between them), you get two free parking hours. After that, the rate is reasonable. At 0.50 BGN per hour, this type of parking is a bargain. These parking lots are monitored and generally safer than street parking.
The P+R is ideal not only for metro travelers. You can hop on any means of transport. If you wonder where to park near Sofia city centre, the first choice would be Vasil Levski Parking, followed by James Boucher.
Full Park & Ride Details and Pricing
Journeys covered by the P+R fares must be made using the same electronic travel document and are valid for one vehicle only. There are a few types of fares, depending on the type of ticket you use. For the tourists and visitors of the city, the main two are:
| Fares & Pass Type | Price in 2025 and 2026 |
|---|---|
| 30+ 60+ Day Pass / Daily Ticket 24-Hour Pass Green Ticket | In 2025: Free for the first 2 hours 0,50 BGN / 0,26 EUR per hour until the car park’s closing time In 2025: Free for the first 2 hours 0,25 EUR per hour until the car park’s closing time If your car is left in the car park after closing time, you will be charged an hourly parking fee for every hour. |
| 72-hour pass | In 2025 and 2026: Free within the car park’s operating hours If a vehicle remains in the car park after its closing time, an hourly parking charge will be applied for each hour. |
Refer to our complete Tickets and Passes guide Tickets and Passes guide for the fares listed in the table.
Parking-Only Rates for P+R (Park & Ride) Facilities
You can park your car in a P+R facility without using public transport. However, if you use it solely as a regular car park, you will be charged a different, standard parking rate upon payment.
This parking-only fee is set by the Urban Mobility Centre and varies by location. More central and high-demand P+R car parks have higher rates. Here are the rates for cars:
| Park & Ride at Metro Station | Price in 2025/2026 |
|---|---|
| Vasil Levski National Stadium | 4,00 BGN / 2,04 EUR |
| Tsarigradsko Shose | 3,00 BGN / 1,53 EUR |
| Beli Dunav | 3,00 BGN / 1,53 EUR |
| James Boucher | 4,00 BGN / 2,04 EUR |
Hotel Parking: The Most Convenient Option
For travelers staying in larger hotels, parking is often the least of their worries. Many central Sofia hotels either have their own secured parking lots or partnerships with nearby garages. These are usually the safest places to park in Sofia overnight.
Establishments like the Hilton, Grand Hotel Sofia, and Astoria Hotel offer on-site parking for guests, though spaces may be limited and often carry an additional daily fee.
Smaller boutique hotels might not have this luxury, but their reception staff usually know the best nearby options.
If you’re planning to rent a car during your stay, it’s worth checking parking availability when booking accommodation. Paying slightly more for a hotel with guaranteed parking could save hours of circling crowded streets later.
Paid Parking Garages in Sofia: When Convenience Matters Most
When street parking proves impossible, Sofia’s parking garages become the next best option. The NDK Underground Parking, with its 1 000 spaces beneath the massive National Palace of Culture, offers 24/7 access at 3 BGN per hour. It is pricey but reliable. Its central location makes it ideal for tourists exploring the museums in the city center and Vitosha Boulevard. Similarly, the Serdika Parking complex near the ancient Roman ruins provides secure parking just steps from Sofia’s main shopping streets. It allows you to contact the team and check availability or reserve a spot.
Some shopping malls such as Park Center Mall and Mall of Sofia offer free parking for limited time and paid parking for the following hours.
Smaller private lots dot the cityscape, but many prioritize monthly subscribers over casual users. Google Maps can help locate these, though availability and prices vary wildly.
Special Considerations for Tourists
The city’s most picturesque areas like the yellow cobblestones near the former Royal Palace (now the National Art Gallery) or the spaces around Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, fall within paid zones. Parking inspectors are vigilant and will not hesitate to issue a fine for violations.
Overnight parking presents another challenge. While paid zones become free after enforcement hours, leaving your car on the street risks break-ins in certain areas. The neighborhoods around the Central Railway Station and some parts of the city center see higher rates of vandalism. If your accommodation lacks parking, consider splurging for a guarded lot overnight, the extra 10-15 BGN could prevent costly damage or stolen belongings.
FAQ About Parking in Sofia
Yes, some residential areas outside the center (like Mladost, Druzhba, and Lyulin) offer free street parking. However, finding a spot might be is difficult.
Download and use the Sofia parking apps. See the Useful Links section.
You are very likely to get a wheel clamp (bootstrap). The release fee is 30 BGN in 2025 and 30 EUR (as of 2026). Your car could also be towed, which incurs a separate fee (75 EUR in 2026).
Always check the signs. Parking regulations can change from one block to the next. Look for the colored signs that designate the zone and carefully read the operating hours and maximum stay limits. Using the official mobile apps is the easiest way to ensure you pay correctly.
Vasil Levski Stadium is in the city centre and tops the ranking for its location.
Useful Links
- Urbo City App on Google Play
- Urbo App on Apple Store
- Sofia Plus Official App on Google Play
- Sofia Plus Official App on Apple App Store
Final Tips for Stress-Free Parking
Successful parking in Sofia requires flexibility, but with some preparation and a handful of proven tips you can avoid most issues.’. When you must drive in, have small change ready for parking attendants (though most now prefer digital payments), and always check for parking signs in unfamiliar neighborhoods because regulations can change block by block. With some planning and patience, navigating Sofia’s parking landscape becomes manageable, letting you focus on enjoying Bulgaria’s vibrant capital rather than worrying about your rental car’s safety.
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