As of January 2026, free parking for electric vehicles in Prague will end. However, the city is introducing a new system of discounts and benefits that supports eco-friendly transportation, protects residents' interests, and sets sustainable rules for the future. What’s changing and how can you make the most of it?

Resident Discount: 50% and Peace in the Zones

The Prague City Council has approved a proposal that changes the rules for parking zero-emission vehicles starting in 2026. Electric and hydrogen-powered cars registered in the paid parking zone system will no longer park for free but will receive a 50% discount on residential parking in their district. The discount applies to individuals with permanent residence, property owners, and legal entities with headquarters or operations in the area.

This change brings a balance between promoting eco-friendly transport and protecting residents' interests. The city is responding to the growing number of electric vehicles and the need for fair rule-setting.

Benefits Beyond Home: Discount in Orange and Purple Zones

If you travel across Prague with your electric car, you don’t need to worry about high fees. In orange and purple zones, you’ll get a 50% discount on short-term parking if you pay via a mobile app – the so-called virtual parking clock. To claim this discount, your vehicle must be registered in the central paid parking zone system. No paper slips behind the windshield – everything is online and stress-free.

Tip: The multimodal app Citymove allows convenient mobile payment for parking. You can pay or extend your parking even when you're not near your vehicle. You can also pay for any license plate – for yourself, your colleagues, or your visitors.

Citywide Permit: A New Option for Residents

Prague is also preparing a brand-new type of parking permit that will allow parking in all blue zones across the city. The permit will cost CZK 2,000 per month and will be available exclusively to Prague residents with zero-emission vehicles. Owning an electric car in Prague will still be very worthwhile. This step represents a meaningful compromise – a fair price for freedom of movement around the city and a clear support for eco-friendly mobility.

Plug-in Hybrids: Benefits End

Plug-in hybrids will no longer be eligible for benefits starting in 2026. The reason is simple – many of them function as regular combustion cars in practice, and therefore do not deliver the expected environmental benefits. Prague has decided to support only vehicles with zero local emissions, meaning those powered solely by electricity or hydrogen.

What About Other Cities? Changes Across Major Czech Cities

Prague isn’t the only city addressing electric vehicle parking. Let’s look at the conditions in other major cities: For example, Brno offers free parking while charging in Zone E, but only for up to 24 hours and after registration in the app. Ostrava provides free parking in residential zones R and A without the need for registration, which is very convenient for drivers. On the other hand, Plzeň abolished free parking for electric vehicles in August 2025. Each city sets its own rules based on local needs, technical capabilities, and the growing number of electric vehicles.

Prague is setting up a system that is sustainable in the long term and also encourages eco-friendly behavior. Electromobility is no longer a fad – it’s a reality. And it needs rules that work not just today, but also in the years to come. The city isn’t turning its back on electromobility. On the contrary, it’s creating a fair and functional system that supports sustainable transport while protecting urban space. It’s a step forward that makes sense.

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