Paid parking expands by 23 percent across Dutch municipalities
Dutch municipalities are increasingly expanding paid parking zones, with the number of paid parking spaces rising by 23.4 percent over the past two years, according to a Spotzi analysis commissioned by EenVandaag. This growth follows a 30.5 percent increase between 2013 and 2022.
Both large cities and smaller towns have implemented significant changes, with major expansions in The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht, as well as smaller municipalities like Renesse, Harlingen, and Dijk en Waard. The move aims to address the rising pressure from an increasing number of vehicles in the Netherlands, transport policy professor Bert van Wee from TU Delft told EenVandaag.
“We are seeing more cars, and there is often not enough space to park them,” Van Wee told Een Vandaag. “Paid parking is being introduced in areas just outside city centers, where free parking currently causes high pressure.”
Dispute in Dijk en Waard
In Dijk en Waard, a municipality formed by merging Langedijk and Heerhugowaard, parking policy has sparked local debate. A new plan, approved by the council last year, will introduce permit-only parking zones in several areas, beginning this year. The changes aim to prepare the municipality for increased demand, as new housing developments are expected to attract more residents and visitors.
“We need to make the municipality ready for the future,” said Alderman Nils Langedijk, who oversees the parking policy. “Permit zones will ensure that nearby streets are not overwhelmed by cars from visitors seeking free parking.”
Despite council approval, many residents remain opposed. Local resident Pieter-Jan Lubbers, who lives on a street soon to be included in the permit zone, has led protests through a Facebook group with more than 2,000 members. Lubbers also launched a petition that has gathered nearly 8,000 signatures.
“The fact that so many people have joined us shows how strongly they feel,” Lubbers told EenVandaag. “The municipality needs to listen to its residents and learn from this.”
Council member Carmen Bosscher echoed the concerns, arguing that the municipality failed to meaningfully engage with citizens during consultations. “There were participation meetings, but nothing from those discussions is reflected in the final policy,” Bosscher said. “Without support from residents, these plans will not succeed.”
Alderman Langedijk rejected the criticism, stating, “We aimed to be transparent and involved residents through various media.”
Resistance to paid parking is not unique to Dijk en Waard. Professor Van Wee said opposition often arises when free parking is replaced by fees. “This is a common reaction to measures that affect car use or increase costs,” he said. However, he noted that public acceptance typically grows after implementation.
Parking costs have also surged across the country. Data from parking app EasyPark shows that the average cost to park for one hour in the Netherlands rose 50 percent over the past three years, reaching 1.80 euros in 2024. In major cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, and Utrecht, the average hourly cost was 3.00 euros—a 25 percent increase in the same period.
In Haarlem and Amersfoort, residents recently voted against paid parking expansions in non-binding referendums. Bosscher said she hopes a similar referendum will be held in Dijk en Waard. “I hope residents will have the chance to vote and decide what they want for their municipality,” she told the newspaper.
