Parking Permit Fees Are Rising in Basel — Especially for Longer Cars!

Basel residents who wish to park their vehicle on the streets can apply for an annual resident parking permit (Anwohnerparkkarte) that allows free unlimited parking in Blue Zones in their postal code. Starting on January 1, 2025, Basel became the first Swiss city to make the fees for residents’ parking permits dependent on the length of the vehicle. The annual cost of a resident parking permit for cars has increased from CHF 284 to CHF 332, and that is only for shorter cars measuring at most 3.9 meters. For medium-length vehicles (3.9 meters to 4.9 meters), the price of the parking permit is now CHF 422 per year, and owners of cars longer than 4.9 meters will have to pay CHF 512 per year. It will be even more expensive from 2027, when the price for a resident’s parking permit for short vehicles will rise to CHF 380, for medium-length vehicles to CHF 560, and for long cars to CHF 740 per year. Starting this year, commuter parking permits have also risen to CHF 860, CHF 950, and CHF 1040 per year.

Why such an increase? The latest traffic figures show that the proportion of large cars is increasing and that more cars park on the streets of Basel than other large Swiss cities. For example, 41% of cars registered in Basel park on common land with a resident parking permit, which is considerably more than in cities like Bern (27%), Zürich (24%), and Luzern (9%). In those cities, resident parking permits are significantly more expensive than in Basel, costing for example CHF 600 annually in Luzern and CHF 492 in Bern.

With the new parking space management ordinance, the government is trying to reduce the number of cars that park on public roads, forcing them underground into private car parks. This will free up space for things like cycling paths and urban greenery, thus making a contribution to achieving the mobility and climate goals. The estimated additional revenue of just under CHF 2 million will be used to fund Park & Ride facilities, new cycle paths, and public transport facilities, among other things. In addition, the fact that the new prices are “length-dependent” is considered a way to punish polluters.

The fees for visitor parking permits (Besucherparkkarte) remain unchanged for now. A half-day permit will therefore continue to cost CHF 12 and a day permit CHF 20. Up to 12 visitor parking permits can be purchased at half price per vehicle and calendar year.

The rates for parking meters are also increasing. The maximum price has risen from CHF 3 per hour to CHF 4. However, this higher rate will only apply to a few centrally located and heavily used parking spaces, such as the Birsig parking lot or the Claragraben. There are four parking meter rates ranging from CHF 1 to CHF 4 per hour, and the rates will depend on the location and utilization/demand for the meters.

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