Blow to Israeli Drivers: Free Parking Will Be a Thing of the Past

Starting January 2027, parking rules in Israel will change: free parking on municipal blue-and-white spaces will no longer apply in most urban areas. Discounts will only remain within the residential zone. The changes will affect Ramat Gan, Holon, Herzliya, and Ashkelon. The reason is the cancellation of the transportation reform. Per-minute payment will not be introduced.

Starting in early 2027, parking rules in Israel will change: free parking on municipal blue-and-white spaces will no longer apply in most urban areas. Local authorities will only be able to exempt residents from payment within their residential zone, so trips to other areas will require payment on a general basis. The changes will affect Ramat Gan, Holon, Herzliya, and Ashkelon, leading to additional costs for drivers visiting business centers, beaches, and shopping districts. The reason is the cancellation of the transportation reform, which was supposed to change the public transport management system and delay the introduction of new rules. Also, the transition to per-minute parking payment will not be implemented, and drivers will continue to pay according to current tariffs through existing services. The new rules will take effect in January 2027, and municipalities must define the boundaries of zones with discounts before then. The innovations are expected to cause additional expenses for thousands of motorists.