site.btaCourt Temporarily Suspends Part of Changes in Sofia's Parking Rules

The Sofia City Administrative Court on Friday suspended parts of Sofia’s parking rules, according to a ruling posted on the court's website. The court acted on an appeal filed by lawyer Maya Manolova, who leads the Rise Up Bulgaria party.

The ruling is appealable within seven days to the Supreme Administrative Court. The suspended measures affect the Blue and Green Zones, residents' parking stickers, neighbourhood parking conditions, and certain enforcement and penalty rules.

On November 13, 2025, the Sofia Municipal Council expanded the paid parking zones and raised parking fees effective January 5, 2026.

On November 27, the Sofia City Administrative Court ruled the Sofia Municipal Council's decision null and void, and the city administration appealed. At the end of January, the Supreme Administrative Court overturned the November 27 ruling of the Sofia City Administrative Court.

Following Friday's ruling by the Sofia City Administrative Court, the City Hall issued a position saying that the court did not rule on the legality of the Sofia City Council decision but suspended specific provisions until the dispute is finally resolved, and the municipality will not implement the reforms until all components can be applied. 

"The parking reform simultaneously updates pricing, expands zones and, for the first time, introduces a mechanism to return part of the revenues to neighbourhoods through targeted infrastructure investments. At present, parts of the reform are temporarily suspended by a ruling of the Sofia City Administrative Court. The Sofia Municipal Council's position remains unchanged: without a guarantee that parking revenues will be reinvested in neighbourhood infrastructure, the higher parking fees and expanded zones will not be implemented," the Municipal Council said.