To address this issue, the DUH advocates for a minimum annual fee of 360 euros for resident parking, which they believe would incentivize the use of bicycles and public transport.

Despite this change, the DUH urges state governments to grant municipalities more authority to set parking fees, as many cities are still limited by state regulations.

The DUH's survey, which covered 107 cities across Germany, revealed that 66 cities charge 31 euros or less for resident parking permits, including major cities like Berlin and Munich.

In Berlin, discussions are ongoing about a significant increase in parking fees, with the ruling coalition acknowledging that the current fee of 10.20 euros is insufficient.

The German Environmental Aid (DUH) has criticized low resident parking fees in many cities, arguing that they contribute to the increasing scarcity of urban space, particularly due to the growing number of larger vehicles.

A significant policy change in 2020 allowed states to set their own parking fees after the federal government removed the previous nationwide cap of 30.70 euros.

Cities like Cologne and Hamburg have higher fees, with Hamburg charging 65 euros annually and Cologne's fees ranging from 100 to 120 euros based on vehicle size.

In Saxony, a fee increase is expected in March 2025, with proposals to raise costs to 72 euros for six months and 120 euros for a year.

DUH Geschäftsführer Jürgen Resch emphasized that the low fees do not cover administrative costs or the expenses incurred by taxpayers for providing parking spaces.

Traffic researchers support higher parking fees as a necessary step for improving mobility and redistributing public space more equitably, promoting a shift towards public transport and cycling.

While eleven federal states have lifted the fee cap, others like Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt continue to block higher prices, limiting potential revenue.

The DUH also calls for higher fees for larger vehicles such as SUVs, suggesting that the revenue generated should fund public transport and cycling infrastructure.