Parking in Amsterdam 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Amsterdam has some of Europe's most expensive and restrictive urban parking. The city has been systematically removing car parking spaces, expanding paid zones, and lengthening permit waiting lists as part of its commitment to reducing car use. If you need to park in Amsterdam, here's what you'll actually pay.
Amsterdam Parking Zones and Rates (2026)
Amsterdam divides paid parking into several zones with different rates:
| Zone | Coverage | Hourly rate | Max hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (Centre/Canal Ring) | Centrum, Jordan, De Pijp | €7.50–8.00/hr | 4 hours |
| B (Inner city) | Oud-West, Oost, Noord | €5.00–6.50/hr | 4 hours |
| C (Outer ring) | Buitenveldert, Geuzenveld | €3.00–4.50/hr | 4–8 hours |
| Free zones | Far outer suburbs | Free | Unlimited |
Enforcement hours: Monday–Saturday 09:00–24:00, Sunday 12:00–24:00. After midnight: free until 09:00.
Payment methods: Pay-by-plate machines (PIN and credit card), Parkmobile app, EasyPark app.
Paid Parking Garages (Parkeergarages) 2026
| Garage | Area | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| P+R Sloterdijk | West, near A10 | €1/day with OV |
| P+R Zeeburg | East, near A10 | €1/day with OV |
| P+R Amsterdam Noord | Noord | €1/day with OV |
| ABN AMRO Arena | Bijlmer | €5–10/day |
| Museumplein | Zuid | €5.50/hr |
| Centrum (Q-Park) | Centrum | €6.50–7.50/hr |
Resident Parking Permits (Bewonersvergunning) 2026
Amsterdam residents in paid zones can apply for an annual resident permit:
| Zone | Annual permit cost | Waiting list |
|---|---|---|
| A (Centre/Canal Ring) | €535/year | 4–8 years |
| B (Inner city) | €535/year | 2–4 years |
| C (Outer) | €535/year | 6–18 months |
The city has not increased the number of permits in the A-zone in years and continues to reduce them. New arrivals to central Amsterdam effectively cannot get street parking for many years.
Visitor parking for permit holders: permit holders can purchase time-limited visitor permits (bezoekersvergunning) for guests — €1.50–3.50/hour depending on zone.
Park & Ride in Amsterdam 2026
Amsterdam has excellent P+R facilities at the city's orbital motorway (A10 ring):
| P+R Location | Connections | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| P+R Sloterdijk | Train, bus, metro | €1/day (free after 19:00) |
| P+R Amsterdam Centraal | n/a (no free P+R at CS) | — |
| P+R Zeeburg | Metro L54 | €1/day with OV |
| P+R Amsterdam Noord | Ferry, bus | €1/day |
| P+R Olympiaplein | Tram 2, 24 | €1/day |
| P+R ArenA | Metro | €1/day |
Park & Ride is dramatically cheaper than parking in the city centre. A P+R day at €1 + return OV (~€4) costs €5 total vs €30–60 for a full day in a central parking garage.
Monthly Parking Cost Comparison
| Scenario | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Central resident permit (A-zone) | €44.60/month |
| Central parking garage (monthly) | €250–400/month |
| P+R + OV monthly | €25–35 (parking) + OV |
| Street parking without permit (2hrs/day) | €300–480/month |
Alternatives to Parking in Amsterdam
Given the cost and scarcity of parking, these alternatives are often better:
-
Park & Ride — leave the car at the city's edge, take public transport (OV-chipkaart covers the trip). Best for visitors and commuters from outside the city.
-
NS train — if you're coming from another Dutch city, the train to Amsterdam Centraal + bicycle or tram is almost always faster and cheaper than driving + parking.
-
Greenwheels / Sixt Share carsharing — use a carsharing car rather than bringing your own. No parking permit needed, no costs when not in use.
-
Cargo bike / regular bicycle — for residents, cycling solves virtually all daily needs without parking issues.
See our full Amsterdam mobility guide for a complete cost comparison.
FAQ
Q: Can I park for free anywhere in Amsterdam?
In the far outer suburbs (parts of Amsterdam-Noord, Zuidoost beyond the ring, New West outer areas), free street parking still exists. In the entire city centre and most of the ring area, parking is paid 7 days a week. Check the Amsterdam parking map on amsterdam.nl or the ParkeerAmsterdam app.
Q: How do I pay for parking in Amsterdam?
By plate-number machines that accept PIN and credit card, or by app: Parkmobile and EasyPark both work. Enter your licence plate number — no physical ticket needed. The system tracks enforcement by licence plate.
Q: I have a visitor staying — how do they park?
If you're a permit holder, you can buy visitor parking time via the ParkeerAmsterdam app (typically €1.50–3.50/hour, capped per day). Without a permit, they use regular paid parking at zone rates.
Q: Are there electric vehicle charging spots with free parking in Amsterdam?
Yes — charging spots (laadpaal) often allow free parking while charging. However, these spots are in high demand, and you must move the car within a time window after charging completes (typically 15–30 minutes). Check Chargemap or the ChargePoint app for live availability.