The Administrative Court in Sofia stopped the price increase and expansion of the parking zones in Sofia. The court declared the decision of the Sofia Municipal Council null and void, BNT reports.
The decision is not final and can be appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court.
According to the court, if the changes are adopted before considering the legality of the act on the merits, a wide range of persons, including all residents of the capital and its guests, would be harmed, and it would also lead to future claims against the Municipality.
On November 13, the Sofia Municipal Council increased parking prices in Sofia and expanded the scope of paid parking zones, with the changes to the Regulation on the Organization of Traffic on the Territory of the Sofia Municipality coming into force on January 5, 2026. The changes provided that the working hours of the blue zone would be from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and of the green zone - from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The hourly parking prices in the blue zone would be 2 euros per hour, in the green zone - 1 euro per hour. The vignette sticker for residents in the blue zone would cost 150 euros, in the green zone 100 euros. The decision caused dissatisfaction and protests.
Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva insisted that the decision for higher prices and new parking zones in Sofia be withdrawn, the Ombudsman's institution announced.