Parking in Sofia: Zones, Prices, and How to Pay (2026)
3 min read
BULGARIA TRAVEL GUIDE
When we first drove into central Sofia, we did what most visitors do: we hunted for a private car park. Some turned us away even though they clearly had free spaces, and we wasted the better part of an hour circling the same streets. The frustrating part? We never needed a private car park at all. Sofia's street parking system is simple once you understand it — and since January 2026 it comes with new prices, new hours, and payment in euros. Here is how it works now.
Blue Zone vs Green Zone
On-street parking in central Sofia is split into two zones. The Blue Zone covers the heart of the city; the Green Zone forms a ring around it. Every street has signs telling you which zone you are in, so check before you pay. Note that the zones were expanded in January 2026, so paid parking now reaches further into the surrounding neighbourhoods than older guides suggest.
Prices and Time Limits (2026)
- Blue Zone: €2 per hour, maximum stay 3 hours
- Green Zone: €1 per hour, maximum stay 4 hours
Prices doubled when the system was reorganised on 5 January 2026, and Bulgaria switched from the lev to the euro on 1 January 2026. If a guide quotes parking prices in leva (BGN), that information is out of date.
When You Actually Have to Pay
The Blue Zone is paid Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 21:00. The Green Zone is paid Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 21:00 — which means Sundays are free in the Green Zone. Outside these hours street parking is free everywhere, so arriving in the evening makes life much easier.
How to Pay
The easiest option for foreign visitors is the Urbo Parking mobile app (the city's Sofia Plus app also works). It accepts regular debit and credit cards and detects your zone from your location — always double-check the zone it suggests before confirming, and enter your plate number in Latin characters. Locals can also pay by SMS with a Bulgarian SIM: text your plate to 1302 for the Blue Zone or 1303 for the Green Zone. Paper tickets are being phased out during 2026, so do not count on buying one. For official details, see the Sofia Urban Mobility site:
https://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/common
Do Not Skip the Payment
Whatever you do, do not park “just for five minutes” without paying. Enforcement in Sofia is constant, and the standard response is not a ticket — it is a wheel clamp. The release fee is €30, and if your car gets towed the fee is €75. One consolation: if you are clamped, you can pay the release fee remotely through the Urbo app with a card instead of waiting on the phone.
An improperly parked vehicle :D
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does street parking cost in Sofia in 2026?
The Blue Zone (city centre) costs €2 per hour and the Green Zone (outer ring) costs €1 per hour. Prices doubled in January 2026 and are now charged in euros, not leva.
How long can you park in each zone?
A maximum of 3 hours in the Blue Zone and 4 hours in the Green Zone.
What hours is parking paid in Sofia?
Blue Zone: Monday to Sunday, 9:00–21:00. Green Zone: Monday to Saturday, 9:00–21:00. The Green Zone is free on Sundays, and all street parking is free overnight.
How do you pay for parking in Sofia as a tourist?
Use the Urbo Parking or Sofia Plus mobile app with a regular debit or credit card. SMS payment (1302 for Blue, 1303 for Green) requires a Bulgarian SIM, and paper tickets are being phased out in 2026.
What happens if you do not pay?
Your wheel gets clamped — the release fee is €30, and towing costs €75. You can pay the clamp release remotely through the Urbo app.
Does Sofia still use Bulgarian leva for parking?
No. Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, so all parking fees are charged in euros.
