Driving in Warsaw means knowing a few local rules, and one of the most important is the Unattended Paid Parking Zone (SPPN). Below you will find the Warsaw paid parking zone hours, prices, additional fees and the zone area after the extension of 7 September 2026. They are useful when you rent a car in Warsaw for a weekend, and with long-term car rental, when the car stays in the city for several weeks.
The rules are simple: fees in the SPPN Warsaw apply on working days, from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Parking is free on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. The price list is progressive: the first hour costs 4.50 PLN, the second 5.40 PLN, the third 6.40 PLN, and the fourth and each subsequent hour 4.50 PLN.
What is SPPN in Warsaw and why is it important for drivers?
The Unattended Paid Parking Zone, managed by the capital's Road Management Board (ZDM), is a designated area of the city where fees are charged for parking vehicles on public roads. The main goal of SPPN is not to generate revenue but to increase vehicle rotation in the most congested parts of the city. This makes it easier to find a free parking space, which is crucial for both residents and visitors to the capital. If your company sends cars into the centre every day, budget for parking fees in the same way as for corporate car rental.
Where does the Paid Parking Zone apply in Warsaw in 2026?
The SPPN area in Warsaw keeps growing. It covers, among others, Śródmieście, Wola, Ochota, Żoliborz, Praga-Północ, Praga-Południe and large parts of Mokotów. The latest extension took effect on 7 September 2026: the zone now includes the area around ul. Międzynarodowa in Saska Kępa and Odolany in Wola. ZDM has not yet announced dates for further extensions.
Before you set off to explore Warsaw's tourist attractions, always check the current range of the zone. The most reliable source is the ZDM page on the paid parking zone (in Polish), with a map and the full list of boundary streets. Entry to the zone is always marked with sign D-44 ("Parking Zone"), and parking spaces are designated by white lines. If you are planning a family trip, when renting a spacious SUV in Warsaw, make sure you know the zone boundaries in the area you are heading to.
The parking zone is not the same as the Warsaw clean transport zone. The SPPN covers the fee for parking, while the SCT decides which cars may enter a defined area of the centre at all. The two zones partly overlap, so both apply in most of Śródmieście.
Hours and days of fee application in SPPN Warsaw
The schedule matters because ZDM charges an additional fee for unpaid parking. Parking in Warsaw is paid within strictly defined hours.
- Paid days: Monday to Friday.
- Paid parking hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
- Free parking: Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and additionally May 2nd, December 24th, and December 31st.
Outside of designated hours and on holidays, you can park in SPPN-included spaces free of charge. However, it is worth remembering that general traffic regulations still apply even then, so it is advisable to know the rules regarding no-parking signs.
SPPN Warsaw Price List 2026: How much does parking cost?
Warsaw's SPPN price list has been structured progressively to encourage shorter stays and increase space availability. The minimum fee is 0.50 PLN and allows for 10 minutes of parking. Fees for individual hours add up. If you are planning a short-term car rental, it is worth including these costs in your travel budget.
| Parking duration | Fee rate |
|---|---|
| First hour | 4.50 PLN |
| Second hour | 5.40 PLN |
| Third hour | 6.40 PLN |
| Fourth and each subsequent hour | 4.50 PLN |
For example, for a three-hour stay, you will pay 16.30 PLN (4.50 PLN + 5.40 PLN + 6.40 PLN). Here are Warsaw parking prices in 2026 for one passenger car in the SPPN, for longer stays too:
| Parking time | Total fee |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | 4.50 PLN |
| 2 hours | 9.90 PLN |
| 3 hours | 16.30 PLN |
| 4 hours | 20.80 PLN |
| 8 hours, e.g. 8:00-16:00 | 38.80 PLN |
| Full paid day, 8:00-20:00 | 56.80 PLN |
How to pay for parking in Warsaw – payment methods
The capital offers several convenient ways to pay the parking fee.
- Parking meters: Located throughout the zone, they accept payment cards and coins. Parking meters give no change, and one payment can be at most 100 PLN. Entering the vehicle's registration number is mandatory.
- Mobile applications: This is the most convenient method. Apps such as AnyPark, moBILET, or SkyCash allow payment for the actual parking time (start/stop function), which eliminates the risk of overpaying. You can remotely extend parking without having to return to your car.
- No ticket on the windshield: Thanks to the e-control system, there is no longer a requirement to place a printed ticket on the front windshield. The system automatically verifies the payment by registration number.
Remember that fees apply to parking in designated spaces. Knowing how to properly park on the sidewalk can save you from a fine in other locations.
SPPN e-control and additional fees (fines)
In Warsaw, fee control is fully automated. Electric cars equipped with cameras drive through the streets, scanning license plates and checking in real-time whether parking is paid for in the database.
In the event of non-payment or exceeding the paid time, the system automatically generates a request to pay an additional fee. Its standard amount is 300 PLN. If you pay within 14 days, it drops to 200 PLN. The reduction does not apply once ZDM has sent a reminder or the case has gone to enforcement. Always check the registration number entered in the parking meter or app - even a small typo can lead to an additional fee.
Exemptions from fees and special rules
Not all drivers have to pay for parking in SPPN. The following are completely exempt from fees:
- Electric vehicles (BEV): Cars with green license plates can park in the zone for free. The exemption does not cover hybrid cars, which pay for parking just like petrol or diesel cars.
- Vehicles of persons with disabilities: Holders of a Parking Card can park for free in designated spaces (so-called "koperty").
Zone residents can apply for a special, inexpensive subscription. For people who need a car daily without commitments, the option of a flexible car subscription, which provides constant access to a modern vehicle, may be an interesting alternative.
Alternative parking solutions in Warsaw
To avoid fees, park in the zone outside its hours or at a Park and Ride (P+R) car park with a valid 24-hour or season ticket. We have listed all 17 P+R car parks and places with free parking time in our guide to free parking in Warsaw.
Getting around the capital in a rented car is simple and convenient, provided you know the local regulations. Regardless of the purpose of your trip, check out our car rental offer in Warsaw and choose a vehicle perfectly suited to your needs.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saturday a paid day in the Warsaw paid parking zone?
No, on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, parking in Warsaw's Unattended Paid Parking Zone is completely free of charge.
What are the operating hours of the paid parking zone in Warsaw?
Parking fees in SPPN in Warsaw apply from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
How much does an hour of parking cost in SPPN in Warsaw in 2026?
The price list is progressive. The first hour of parking costs 4.50 PLN, the second – 5.40 PLN, the third – 6.40 PLN, and the fourth and each subsequent one – again 4.50 PLN.
Do I need to display a parking ticket on the windshield in Warsaw?
No. Warsaw operates an e-control system that verifies payments based on the vehicle's registration number. There is no longer a requirement to display a ticket on the windshield.
Which mobile parking applications work in Warsaw?
In Warsaw, you can use several popular applications for parking payments, including AnyPark, moBILET, SkyCash (MobiParking), Flowbird, and CityParkApp.