Munich, March 3, 2026 – Jürgen Brügl, a Munich resident, is furious after receiving a €40 fine from the company Parkdepot for an alleged parking violation at a V-Markt car park on Maria-Probst-Straße. The incident, which occurred two Sundays ago, highlights the increasing prevalence of camera-based parking surveillance systems in Munich and the confusion they can cause for drivers.
Camera Surveillance: A New Parking Trap in Munich?
Brügl and his wife had driven onto the V-Markt car park to practice driving their new car, specifically to test its new driver assistance systems. “I’ve had my driving license for 47 years, but I prefer not to try out new driver assistance systems on public roads,” Brügl stated. Unbeknownst to him, parking at the V-Markt car park is not permitted on Sundays, even for brief stops. However, Brügl argues that the signage regarding this restriction is open to interpretation.
Parkdepot, the company managing the car park, sent Brügl a demand for €40 for a 44-minute parking violation. When questioned, Parkdepot clarified: “‘Parking’ within the meaning of the General Terms and Conditions begins with entering the private property.” This definition means that simply driving onto the car park, even without stopping, can be deemed a parking offense if the rules are not adhered to.
Expert Opinions on the Issue
Traffic lawyer Albert Cermak noted that he rarely deals with violations on barrier-free car parks, stating: “You don’t have much to go on because the terms and conditions are usually posted somewhere.” He added that most people do not seek legal advice for contractual penalties ranging from €40 to €60.
The ADAC, however, has been receiving an increasing number of complaints. “More and more car park operators are equipping their facilities with digital car park management,” said ADAC lawyer Gabriele Schön. This system helps to avoid the problem of frequently malfunctioning barriers. “Legally, the conversion is completely fine. It is private property after all,” Schön explained, though she acknowledged that the amount of the contractual penalty and the clarity of the signs are debatable.
The Rise of Barrier-Free Parking Systems
Munich is seeing a growing number of car parks converting to barrier-free systems with license plate recognition. While signs indicate the new rules, drivers can easily incur fines if they fail to read the fine print. This is particularly problematic in areas where parking was previously free, such as at the Cosimabad.
The district committee in Bogenhausen intends to take action against the new payment system at the wave pool, arguing that the fees represent an indirect increase in swimming pool prices for visitors. In contrast, at the Helios Clinic in Pasing, where parking has long been subject to a fee and the car park was previously equipped with a barrier, the new camera system has been met with enthusiasm since its introduction in September.
Svetlana Ignatowitsch, a Helios employee, expressed her satisfaction: “I pay monthly and find it very practical. For visitors, there is the machine. Since then, we no longer have traffic jams at the exit here. Previously, drivers who had forgotten to pay often blocked the exit.” Drivers who forget to pay now simply drive out and receive a penalty notice from the Federal Motor Transport Authority later, unless they remember to pay online within 24 hours of exiting.
Reduced Traffic at TSV 1860
The TSV 1860 Munich sports club has also implemented license plate recognition at its training ground car park. This has significantly reduced congestion, especially on Saturday afternoons when multiple youth teams played simultaneously. Previously, the car park was often occupied by unauthorized long-term parkers, making it difficult for parents, coaches, and supervisors to find spaces.
“The license plate numbers of all authorized drivers are now stored. Everyone else has to pay,” announced the press office of Avantpark, the operating company. This system ensures that parking spaces are available for those who are entitled to use them.
Digitalization of Parking in Munich
The municipal car parks in Munich are managed by the MVG and the Mobility Department. Both report that citizens are embracing the digitalization of parking. “Two thirds park and pay digitally,” and in most areas of Munich, parking tickets can be purchased via an app and extended if necessary. This shift towards digital solutions aims to streamline parking processes and improve efficiency across the city.
