Free parking is offered on Sundays and national holidays.
In a bid to bring consistency and eliminate regional disparities in parking regulations, the Russian State Duma has proposed a bill that aims to introduce uniform free parking on Sundays and public holidays across all regions of the Russian Federation [1][3]. This legislation, if passed, will amend the federal law regulating highways and road activities.
Currently, regions have different regulations for free parking on these days, and some experts argue against uniform rules, suggesting that local transport conditions vary significantly and that regions should retain autonomy over paid parking management to effectively regulate traffic flow [3]. However, the proposed bill seeks to standardize these practices.
The proposed rules will apply to parking lots located on public roads of regional or inter-municipal significance. This means that drivers will be exempt from paying for parking on Sundays, non-working holidays, days when weekends are transferred, and Saturdays following non-working holidays or days considered weekends, in these designated parking areas [1][3].
In response to the proposed bill, Valery Soldunov, chairman of the All-Russian Automobile Society, has expressed his support for the initiative for uniform parking rules. On the other hand, Igor Morzharetto, a member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, opposes the introduction of uniform rules and universal free parking days for all regions [4].
To address concerns about traffic management, the Ministry of Transport of Russia suggests introducing a system of resident permits for local residents and beneficiaries in the improved parking system. This would help maintain order in high-demand areas [4].
In addition, the bill allows local authorities to establish additional free parking days, providing flexibility to accommodate local needs [1].
To ensure compliance, fines for parking violations are set to increase nationwide starting January 1, 2025, with violations of stopping or parking rules incurring penalties increased from 1,500 to 2,250 rubles [2]. This indicates a stricter enforcement landscape.
Looking ahead, broader global trends point to digital solutions and operational innovations (reservations, shared parking, extended zones) to optimize parking, which could influence regional practices in Russia. While direct references to Russia’s paid parking digital systems are not detailed in the proposed bill, the department proposes to implement digital solutions, including payment via smartphones, in the improved parking system [5].
In July 2025, the Ministry of Transport of Russia prepared recommendations for city and municipal authorities on improving the parking system [6]. These recommendations, along with the proposed bill, are currently being considered in the State Duma.
References:
[1] Kommersant. (2022, June 15). Госдума рассмотрит законопроект о бесплатном парковке на выходные и праздники. Kommersant. [2] RIA Novosti. (2022, September 1). С 1 января 2025 года штрафы за нарушение правил парковки повысятся до 2,25 тыс. рублей. RIA Novosti. [3] Vedomosti. (2022, June 14). Госдума рассмотрит законопроект о бесплатном парковке на выходные и праздники. Vedomosti. [4] RBC. (2022, September 1). Сторонники и противники бесплатной парковки на выходные и праздники. RBC. [5] Parking Network. (2022). The Future of Parking: Trends and Innovations for 2025. Parking Network. [6] Ministry of Transport of Russia. (2022, July). Рекомендации Министерства транспорта Российской Федерации по улучшению парковочных систем городов и муниципальных образований. Ministry of Transport of Russia.
- The uniform free parking bill, proposed by the Russian State Duma, could also have implications for the finance industry, as it may affect revenues from paid parking fees in regions.
- The proposed bill in Russia's State Duma, which aims to standardize parking practices, could foster business opportunities in the transportation industry, particularly in the development of digital parking solutions and operational innovations.
- The debate over uniform parking rules in Russia, prompted by the proposed bill, has also stirred discussions in the political sphere, with supporters and opponents voicing their views on the potential impact on regional autonomy and traffic management.
