Espoo reduces on-street parking fees temporarily as of 13 October

The reduced parking fees will remain in effect temporarily until preparations and decisions concerning a residential parking system have been made. Preparations for a residential parking system are underway, and decisions on its introduction, pricing and areas will be made in early 2027.

“The availability of parking spaces has improved since paid parking was introduced, but the situation regarding residential parking still requires further preparation,” says Mayor Kai Mykkänen. 

“Parking has a direct impact on many people’s daily lives. However, it is also important that the costs of our shared streets are correctly allocated, different modes of transport are treated in a proportionate manner, and a balance is found between the difficult measures required by the city’s budget-balancing programme.”

In late 2025, the City Council made a decision to significantly expand the coverage of paid on-street parking as part of the budget process. At the same time, parking fees were increased from the beginning of 2026. Parking fees are part of the city’s extensive budget-balancing efforts, with the aim of generating over EUR 5 million more per year in parking fees from 2027 onwards.

More detailed decisions on the boundaries of paid parking areas around railway and metro stations as well as the parking zones were made by the City Board on 16 March 2026. At the same time, the City Board stated that particular attention should be paid to parking arrangements in areas where plots do not provide enough parking spaces for residents and people working there.

“Fairness in parking pricing is a complex issue, and we are now reviewing the situation again,” Mayor Mykkänen says.

The residential parking system will be prepared for consideration by the City Board in January.

Olli Isotalo
Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment

Harri Tanska
Public Works Director