Parking in Germany can be quite different from what you might be used to in other countries. Understanding special parking situations is essential for both residents and visitors to avoid fines and enjoy a hassle-free parking experience.
What exactly does “parking on weekdays” mean? Am I allowed to park in women's parking spaces (Frauenparkplatz)? What parking options do I have as a person with reduced mobility? Let's take a look together at how to confidently navigate Germany's special parking landscape with Garages Near Me.
What does parking on weekdays mean?
As we've already discussed in German Parking Rules, some street signs may feature additional signage to specify parking restrictions. A common example is the sign "working days" (werktags). This sign can cause confusion as some drivers wrongly assume "working days" refers only to Monday through Friday. In Germany, however, Saturday is also considered a working day. This is explicitly stated in § 3.2 of the Federal Paid Leave Act (BUrlG):
All calendar days, which are neither Sundays nor statutory holidays, are considered to be working days.
This means that if a parking sign is fitted with an additional "working days"-sign with a time limit, such as “from 8 am to 6 pm”, the same restrictions apply on Saturdays. Failure to adhere to these restrictions may result in a fine for illegal parking.
The above street sign reads: “Parking allowed Monday through Saturday between 8 am and 6 pm. You must use a parking disc, the maximum parking duration is 2 hours.”
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There are two exceptions where these Saturday parking restrictions can safely be ignored:
- When the given Saturday is a public holiday, as it is not deemed a working day.
- When the additional "working days" sign explicitly states "except Saturday", which means parking is allowed on that day despite weekday restrictions.
A no-parking street sign applying to working days except Saturdays.
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Can men park in designated women's parking spaces?
Women's parking spaces, also known as "Frauenparkplatz" or "Damenparkplatz," were introduced in the 1990s in response to safety concerns voiced by women in surveys. The surveys revealed that women often avoided specific public areas like parking garages, underground parking garages, and parks — especially during the evening and night — due to fears of exposing themselves to potential danger or sexual violence.
These spaces are strategically placed in well-lit areas close to emergency exits to improve safety. They also may be more spacious than average and may be fitted with surveillance cameras to ensure additional safety.
Right: Women's parking spot in an underground garage from Reddit
The most frequently asked question is hardly surprising: Can men park in designated women's parking spaces? The answer to this is simple: yes. There is no legal basis or law stating that only women are allowed to park in these spots. According to the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), women's parking spaces are not separately marked, which means men are allowed to park there without risking a fine.
While public parking spaces have a clear set of rules, the rules for private property such as underground parking garages and shopping center car parks may vary. Owners of private parking spaces can put their own guidelines in place and may notify drivers that they're occupying a women only parking space. If a man disregards this, the owners may very well decide to impose a fine. It goes without saying that it's always best to adhere to the parking rules in private parking spaces.
Better yet, as a man, you should just do the gentlemanly thing and make sure these types of parking spaces remain available to women at all times.
Parking for people with limited mobility and disabilities
In Germany, just like in other countries, special attention is given to people with disabilities. Specifically designated parking spaces allow them to have easier access to buildings and services in the community. People who qualify for parking permits may:
- use a cane, crutches, or other mobility aid
- need the extra width of the designated spaces to get in and out of their vehicles
- or need to park close to a building entrance for health reasons.
These designated parking spaces are situated in areas with minimal incline and barrier-free accessibility to ensure a safe and convenient parking experience for individuals with limited mobility.
The dimensions of a parking space for disabled people are clearly defined by and must conform to DIN 18040-1 and DIN 18040-3 standards. The minimum width should be 3.50 meters, the required length of the parking space depends on how the vehicle is positioned:
- If the car is parked perpendicular to the roadway, the minimum required length is 6 meters.
- If the car is parked parallel to the roadway, the minimum required length is 7.5 meters.
This ensures that the slope of the parking area is not too steep, and that the space is barrier-free, i.e. without curbs, or with significantly lowered curbs.
However, due to a general lack of awareness of the rules, people often park their vehicles illegally in spaces designated for people with disabilities. So does it only take a disability certificate to be able to park in these spaces? And what's the difference between blue and orange permits?
There are two distinct types of parking permits for individuals with disabilities, mainly differentiated by color: blue and orange.
- The blue permit is an EU parking card which is valid in all EU countries.
- The orange permit is valid in Germany only.
Owning a disability certificate per se, however, is not sufficient for parking in spaces designated for people with limited mobility.
Blue parking permit for individuals with disabilities
Not everyone with limited mobility qualifies for this type of permit. According to § 45.1b.2 of the Road Traffic Act (StVO), individuals eligible for a blue parking permit include those with:
- Bilateral amelia: a birth defect resulting in the loss of one or more limbs
- Bilateral phocomelia: a form of congenital limb malformation
- Category aG: a special mobility-related disability (due to other genetic limb malformations, amputations, or comparable functional impairments)
- Category BI: blindness
Orange parking permit for individuals with disabilities
Individuals with significant health issues can obtain an orange parking permit if they meet the following requirements:
- Difficulty walking (category G) and the need for assistance on public transport (category B), with a degree of disability (”Grad der Behinderung” or “GdB”) of at least 80, specifically functional impairments of the lower limbs, including lumbar spine disorders.
- Category G and B with a GdB of at least 70 relating to functional impairments of the lower limbs, including lumbar spine disorders, as well as functional impairments of the heart or respiratory organs with a GdB of at least 50.
- Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis with a GdB of at least 60.
- Artificial anus and simultaneously artificial urinary diversion with a GdB of at least 70.
Left: Photo of a blue parking permit for individuals with disabilities from Landkreis Neinburg Weser • Right: Photo of an orange parking permit for individuals with disabilities from Darmlifestyle
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Note that the numerical GdB criteria above apply individually. If, for example, your whole GdB is set at 75 % but you don't meet any of the individual GdB criteria above, you won't be eligible for a special parking permit.
| Statement | Blue permit | Orange permit |
|---|---|---|
| Parking allowed in spaces marked with the “wheelchair symbol” ♿ | Yes | No ❌ |
| The permit is valid in Germany | Yes | Yes |
| The permit is valid outside of Germany | Yes | No ❌ |
| Free and unrestricted parking in metered and pay-and-display zones | Yes | Yes |
| Parking in restricted traffic zones outside designated parking areas, as long as it doesn't obstruct others or impedes the flow of traffic | Yes | Yes |
| Parking for up to 3 hours in areas with limited parking road sign 286 | Yes | Yes |
| Parking beyond the permitted duration in zones marked with road signs 314 and 315 where the parking time is restricted | Yes | Yes |
| Parking beyond the permitted duration in no-parking zones | Yes | Yes |
| Parking in pedestrian and loading zones while loading and unloading | Yes | Yes |
| Parking in residential parking spaces for up to 3 hours | Yes | Yes |
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In private parking spaces, e.g. supermarket parking lots, the allowed maximum parking time is often shorter.
To sum it all up: Holders of an orange parking permit have to follow the same rules as holders of a blue one. The only exceptions are A) accessibility to parking in other countries, and B) permission to park in areas with the wheelchair symbol.
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Parking spaces can be used by both parking permit holders and caretakers who drive them, as long as the permit holder is in the car.
Applying for a parking permit for disabled people
Obtaining a parking permit for individuals with disabilities involves several steps. First, an application needs to be submitted to the appropriate authority, usually the local traffic management authority. Follow these links to learn more about getting a permit and apply for one in Berlin (orange) and Munich (blue and orange).
People with disabilities or limited mobility are not required to have a driver's license to be issued a permit. They can also obtain a permit if someone else is driving them.
To obtain a blue parking permit for individuals with disabilities, the following documents are required:
- Passport-sized photo
- Document confirming functional impairment with symbols "aG" and/or "Bl"
- Copy of an official recognition of these symbols
- Signed application for a parking permit for individuals with disabilities
- Equality certificate
This permit is issued free of charge and is valid for up to 5 years. After expiration, the application can be resubmitted, provided the above conditions are met.
For those applying for an orange parking permit, the same documents are needed, but the document confirming functional impairment must include the symbols "G" and/or "B."
Do you need a safe place near work or home to park your vehicle?
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