Parking fee

Issued by the police or the municipality for breaking the traffic rules on a public road. When it is given, what it costs, and how to appeal.

A parking fee (parkeringsgebyr) is issued for breaking the traffic rules themselves on a public road — for example parking in front of a driveway, on the pavement or too close to a junction. It is governed by the regulation on public parking fees and can only be issued by the police or a municipality with fee authority — never by private operators.

The rate

The amount is flat (Fee Regulations § 2) — there is no higher or lower rate according to the seriousness of the breach, as the control sanction has.

When it can be given

A fee is issued for stopping or parking contrary to the Road Traffic Act § 3 and § 17, the Traffic Rules § 17 and the Sign Regulations. It is not given where a control sanction can be issued instead (contract parking), nor where the parking has caused or could have caused serious traffic obstruction or danger — then the matter is instead punishable under the Road Traffic Act § 31. For small electric vehicles (e.g. e-scooters), a fee can only be given for specific breaches.

Who is responsible

The fee is issued to the driver on the spot. If the driver is someone other than the registered owner, they are jointly liable, unless the vehicle had been taken from the owner through an offence with a maximum penalty of over one year (§ 5).

Appeal and unpaid fee

You appeal to the municipality or the police within three weeks, and further to the district court — not the Parking Complaints Board. See the appeal routes. An unpaid fee accrues late-payment interest and can be enforced.

Frequently asked questions

What does a parking fee cost?
900 kr, a flat rate regardless of the breach.
Can a private parking company give me a parking fee?
No. A parking fee can only be issued by the police or a municipality with fee authority. Private operators can only issue a control sanction.
What is the difference between a parking fee and a control sanction?
A fee is given for breaking the traffic rules on a public road; a control sanction for breaking the terms at a regulated space. They have different rates and different appeal routes.