site.btaOmbudsman Urges Sofia Authorities to Reconsider or Withdraw New Parking Rules

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva insists that the decision to raise parking fees and introduce new parking zones in Sofia should be withdrawn, the Ombudsman's Office reported on Tuesday.

Following complaints from Sofia residents, the public defender approached Regional Governor Stefan Arsov, Municipal Council Chair Tsvetomir Petrov and Mayor Vasil Terziev with a proposal to return the parking rules decision to the Municipal Council for further consideration or to withdraw it altogether. Delcheva recommended that a more flexible parking regime be considered in areas around medical and educational institutions, taking into account their social function and the needs of citizens, the press release added.

There is no analysis of the social and health consequences of reduced parking time around hospitals, schools, kindergartens, and other public facilities frequented by vulnerable groups, says the Ombudsman. The planned restrictions, such as a maximum stay of two hours and no short 15-30 minute parking around schools, could hinder access to these services, she added.

Delcheva pointed out that there has been no broad public debate on the issue.

Of a total of 107 opinions submitted by citizens during the written consultation period, only 20 fully or partially support the proposals in the draft ordinance, which is less than 20% of all participating citizens, Delcheva said, as quoted in the press release. She added that an online poll was started in September to gather the opinions of citizens and businesses on parking in the capital, but the poll was active for only 10 days and is currently unavailable. According to Mayor Terziev, the results of the poll served as the basis for initiating the draft ordinance, Delcheva said. The Ombudsman argued that the survey, as it is, is not representative and does not give a real picture of citizens' attitudes.

Delcheva went on to say that the project lacks detailed data on the reasons for, and necessity of, expanding paid parking zones, and is not supported by economic justification for the new prices. There is no information on how much revenue was collected from parking in 2024 and 2025, whether it was sufficient to cover the costs, and how the funds will be used after the increase. According to the Ombudsman, the different deadlines for the rules to come into force are also not justified.

The Ombudsman said that the draft does not thoroughly consider possible alternative solutions outlined in the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, such as the construction of buffer, peripheral, underground, and multi-story parking lots, which would relieve congestion in the central parts of the city.