Is Parking Free in Dubai? 2026 Parkin Rates, Free Times and Fines
- Published 22 Jun 2025
- Updated 10 November 2026
- 11 min read
- Data verified on 10 Nov 2026
In short
Parking in Dubai is free only at set times. In most Parkin public zones it costs nothing from 10pm to 8am, all day on Sundays and on official public holidays. Outside those times, since 5% VAT was added on 1 June 2026, standard bays cost AED 4.20 an hour and premium bays AED 6.30 an hour at peak times (8–10am and 4–8pm). Some zones, multi-storey car parks and mosque areas charge around the clock, and Parkin issued 754,000 enforcement notices in Q1 2026.
Gulf News, 1 June 2026 · Gulf News (Parkin Q1 2026 results), 7 May 2026 · Gulf News, 15 Aug 2025
AED 6.30per hour
Premium bay at peak times (8–10am, 4–8pm), VAT included since 1 June 2026
Source: Gulf News, 1 June 2026
258,000parking spaces
Parkin’s total portfolio in Q1 2026, up 23% in a year, including 195,200 public spaces
Source: Parkin Q1 2026 results via Gulf News, May 2026
754,000enforcement notices
Issued by Parkin in Q1 2026, up 33% on Q1 2025
Source: Parkin Q1 2026 results via Gulf News, May 2026
Most Parkin zones are free on Sundays, public holidays and from 10pm to 8am, but a growing number charge 24/7.Photo: © VALORISIMO
In this article · 9 sections
Is parking free in Dubai in 2026?
Parking in Dubai is partly free: the city still offers free hours and free days, but paid parking now covers far more streets than a few years ago. Whether you pay depends on the zone, the day and the time.
Public parking in Dubai is run by Parkin, the listed company that took over the service from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) under a concession agreement. Some communities, malls and private sites are managed by other operators such as Parkonic or by the mall itself, and they set their own rules.
The three free windows in standard zones
According to Gulf News (1 June 2026), parking in standard Parkin zones remains free every night from 10pm to 8am, and all day on Sundays and official public holidays. During Eid Al Adha 2026, for example, standard public zones were free from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May, with fees resuming on Saturday 30 May, while multi-storey car parks kept charging.
A network that keeps growing
Parkin managed a portfolio of 258,000 spaces at the end of March 2026, up from 209,000 a year earlier, including 195,200 public spaces, 59,100 developer spaces and 3,700 multi-storey spaces. Its weighted average public tariff rose to AED 3.02 an hour in Q1 2026, 51% more than a year earlier, after variable pricing was introduced. In practice, a street that was free in 2024 may well be paid in 2026: always read the sign.
- Free: 10pm–8am, Sundays and public holidays in most standard Parkin zones.
- Paid: 8am–10pm, Monday to Saturday, in standard zones.
- Always paid: some 24-hour zones, multi-storey car parks and mosque zones outside prayer times.
How much does parking cost in Dubai in 2026?
Dubai uses variable pricing: premium bays cost more at peak hours, standard bays cost the same all day, and some outer areas have lower tariffs. Since 1 June 2026, 5% VAT is added to all Parkin services.
Variable tariffs took effect on 4 April 2025. Premium bays, usually close to metro stations, offices and busy commercial areas, cost more during the two daily peaks: 8am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm, except on Sundays and public holidays. The base tariffs did not change in 2026, but VAT now applies to on-street and off-street parking, seasonal cards, permits and reservations.
| Tariff | Before 1 June 2026 | From 1 June 2026 (VAT incl.) |
|---|---|---|
| Premium, peak hours | AED 6.00 / hour | AED 6.30 / hour |
| Standard (and premium off-peak) | AED 4.00 / hour | AED 4.20 / hour |
| Lower-tariff zone A | AED 3.00 / hour | AED 3.15 / hour |
| Lower-tariff zone B | AED 2.00 / hour | AED 2.10 / hour |
Source: Gulf News, “Dubai parking and Salik go up”, 1 June 2026; Gulf News, 22 May 2026. Hourly rates; shorter durations are available in most zones.
How to read the zone code
Each paid bay shows a code on the signboard (for example 365N or 621Q). The letter tells you the tariff family. Zones ending in “P” are premium; W covers Al Karama, Al Qusais and Madinat Dubai Al Melaheyah; X is the area around Dubai World Trade Centre, where Khaleej Times reported a rate of AED 25 an hour during events (April 2025). Codes E, I, J, K and L cover Jumeirah Lakes Towers, F covers Knowledge Village, Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City, G covers Burj Khalifa, Marasi Bay, Dubai Healthcare City and Dubai Hills, and H covers Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Maximum durations
On-street (roadside) bays are limited to four consecutive hours, while open-air plots allow up to 24 consecutive hours. Overstaying the limit is a fineable offence, even if you keep paying.
When is parking free in Dubai, and where do you pay 24/7?
The Sunday and overnight rules cover most standard zones, not all of them. A growing list of locations charges around the clock or on a different timetable.
| Location / zone | Charging hours | Free on Sundays and holidays? |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Parkin zones | 8am–10pm, Monday to Saturday | Yes |
| Zones W and X (Al Karama, Al Qusais, Trade Centre, Za’abeel Second) | 24 hours, 7 days | No |
| Parkin multi-storey car parks (8 buildings) | 24 hours, 7 days, from AED 5/hour, AED 40/24 hours | No |
| Mosque zones M and MP (59 mosques) | 24 hours; 1 free hour at prayer times | No |
| Al Khail Gate, zone 365N | Every day, AED 30 flat daily rate | No |
| International City, zone 621Q | 8am–midnight | Yes |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis P107 / P112 (Parkonic) | 24 hours / 8am–10pm | Yes |
Source: Gulf News, 22 May 2026 and 15 Aug 2025; Gulf News, 6 Jan 2026; Khaleej Times, 22 Aug 2026. Multi-storey rates before VAT.
Public holidays and Ramadan
Free parking on public holidays is confirmed by the RTA and Parkin for each holiday, usually with exact dates. Multi-storey car parks stay chargeable, and privately managed sites follow their own rules. During Ramadan, timings change: check the official announcement each year rather than relying on the usual schedule.
Residential streets
Many villa communities and older neighbourhoods still have free on-street parking, but this is no longer a safe assumption. In 2026, paid parking was introduced in Discovery Gardens (15 January, operated by Parkonic) and International City (1 February, operated by Parkin), and Parkonic expanded paid on-street bays in Dubai Silicon Oasis in August.
Which Dubai areas switched to paid parking in 2026, and what about malls?
The 2026 expansion targeted dense residential communities where parking used to be free. Residents usually receive one free permit per home, and visitors pay.
International City
Since 1 February 2026, zone 621Q charges from 8am to midnight, with the same rates at peak and off-peak times, and is free on Sundays and public holidays.
| Duration | Tariff (International City, 621Q) |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | AED 2 |
| 1 hour | AED 3 |
| 2 hours | AED 6 |
| 4 hours | AED 12 |
| 6 hours | AED 18 |
| 7 hours | AED 22 |
| 16 hours (full charging day) | AED 25 |
Source: Gulf News, Parkin announcement, 6 Jan 2026. Tariffs as displayed on site before the 1 June 2026 VAT change.
Each residential unit in a building without its own parking receives one free permit, requested through the Parkin app or parkin.ae with an Ejari or title deed. A second car needs paid parking or a subscription.
Discovery Gardens and Dubai Silicon Oasis
In Discovery Gardens, each property gets one free permit and residents pay AED 945 a month to park a second car permanently in the community (The National, 15 January 2026). In Dubai Silicon Oasis, Parkonic zone P107 charges 24 hours a day and P112 from 8am to 10pm, at AED 4 an hour, rising to AED 6 between 4pm and 8pm; both are free on Sundays and public holidays (Khaleej Times, 22 August 2026).
Malls
Malls are not free by default any more. The Dubai Mall has charged through Salik since July 2024 in its Grand, Cinema and Fashion car parks, with the first 4 hours free on weekdays and 6 hours at weekends, then AED 20 to AED 1,000 depending on duration; Zabeel and Fountain Views parking remained complimentary (Gulf News, August 2025). Mall of the Emirates went barrierless in February 2025: 4 free hours, then from AED 20, free at weekends, and free all day for shoppers spending AED 150 or more (Khaleej Times, June 2025). Mall rules change often, so check the signs at the entrance.
How much is a parking subscription or resident permit in Dubai?
If you park daily in the same paid area, a seasonal card is usually cheaper than paying by the hour. Parkin offers 18 subscription types, seven permit categories and four reservation options.
| Subscription | 1 month | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plots only (zones B and D) | AED 250 | AED 700 | AED 1,300 | AED 2,400 |
| Roadside and plots (zones A, B, C, D) | AED 500 | AED 1,400 | AED 2,500 | AED 4,500 |
| Dubai Hills | AED 500 | AED 1,400 | AED 2,500 | AED 4,500 |
| Dubai Sports City | AED 300 | AED 800 | AED 1,600 | AED 2,800 |
| Dubai Studio City / Production City | AED 315 | AED 840 | AED 1,680 | AED 2,940 |
Source: Khaleej Times, 5 April 2025 (general cards); Gulf News, 20 Nov 2025 (community cards). Prices before VAT: 5% has applied to seasonal cards since 1 June 2026 (Gulf News, 1 June 2026).
How subscriptions work
Up to three vehicles can be registered on one card, with only one active at a time; you can switch the active car in the Parkin app. A subscription does not guarantee a free bay when you arrive, fees are not refundable, and changing vehicle details costs AED 100. Applications submitted after 10pm become active the next day.
Demand has surged: Parkin sold 100,600 seasonal cards in Q1 2026, up 129% on a year earlier, and revenue from cards and permits rose 79% to AED 76.3 million.
Resident permits and reservations
Free resident permits are tied to official residency records, cross-checked with DEWA and the Dubai Land Department. Free reservations are also offered to Emirati citizens outside their private homes, while companies such as hotels, banks or hospitals can rent reserved bays.
How do you pay for parking in Dubai?
Paying for public parking in Dubai is now almost entirely digital. The Parkin app is the main channel, but SMS, WhatsApp and machines still work in Parkin zones.
The main payment channels
- Parkin app or parkin.ae: pay by zone code and plate, top up a wallet, extend a session, buy subscriptions and pay fines.
- SMS to 7275: plate details, zone code and number of hours (for example "DXB A 0000 343A 2"); a 30 fils operator fee applies.
- WhatsApp: message +971 58 800 9090 with plate, zone and duration, deducted from your balance.
- Machines: nol card, bank card or coins at meters in Parkin zones.
- Salik auto-deduction: used by The Dubai Mall and Parkonic sites such as Dubai Silicon Oasis when no session is started.
Source: Gulf News, “10 ways to pay for public parking in Dubai”, Dec 2023; Gulf News, 15 Oct 2026; Khaleej Times, 22 Aug 2026.
At barrierless malls, the plate is read at the entrance and the bill arrives by SMS with a payment link. At Mall of the Emirates, you have three days to pay before an AED 150 fine is issued (Khaleej Times, 2025). Visitors in rental cars should ask how the rental company re-bills parking and Salik charges.
What are the parking fines in Dubai?
Enforcement is largely automated: smart inspection cars scanned 20.6 million plates in Q1 2026 alone, up 64% on a year earlier.
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Exceeding the maximum duration, or staying after the ticket expires | AED 100 |
| Not paying, or not displaying a ticket when required | AED 150 |
| Parking on pavements, in no-parking areas or disrupting public parking | AED 200 |
| Misusing reserved or People of Determination bays without a permit | AED 1,000 |
| Displaying a vehicle for sale or rent without a permit | AED 1,000 |
| Moving or removing public parking signs or equipment | AED 10,000 |
| Multi-storey: exceeding maximum duration or height limit | AED 500 |
| Multi-storey: evading fees | AED 1,000 |
Source: Gulf News, “Dubai parking fines explained”, based on Parkin, updated 15 Oct 2026.
Fines can be checked and paid on parkin.ae under “Pay Fines” or in the Parkin app, using the plate, traffic file or fine number. Parkin issued 754,000 enforcement notices in Q1 2026, 33% more than a year earlier, of which about 562,000 were public parking violations, and enforcement revenue reached AED 119.7 million.
Does parking matter when you buy or rent a home in Dubai?
Yes. As paid parking spreads into residential communities, the number of allocated bays attached to a flat has become a real cost line for tenants and a selling point for owners.
In buildings without their own parking, residents now rely on a single free permit per unit, and a second car can cost AED 945 a month in Discovery Gardens. A family with two cars should therefore count parking in the total cost of a home, alongside rent and the service charges in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Parkin also manages 59,100 developer spaces (Q1 2026), so in some master communities the “free” building car park is in fact a paid, operator-run facility.
What to check before signing
- Allocated bays: how many spaces come with the unit, and are they written into the sale contract or tenancy agreement (Ejari)?
- Visitor parking: is it free inside the building, or will guests pay on the street?
- Zone code: is the surrounding street a 24/7 zone or a standard 8am–10pm zone?
- Transit access: a home near a metro station reduces the need for a second car; compare areas such as Business Bay and Dubai Marina.
For investors, units with a dedicated bay are easier to let in dense areas where street parking has become paid. Compare prices with our apartment prices in Dubai by area and see how new lines affect values in Dubai transport projects and property prices.
Watch out
Free parking rules depend on the operator. A Sunday that is free in a Parkin zone may be paid in a 24-hour zone, a mall or a Parkonic site. Always read the zone sign or check the Parkin app before leaving your car, and confirm holiday free parking each time it is announced.
Frequently asked questions
Is parking free on Sundays in Dubai?
Yes in most standard Parkin zones, which are free all day on Sundays and official public holidays. Exceptions include 24-hour zones such as W and X, multi-storey car parks, mosque zones and the Al Khail Gate zone 365N, which charges a flat AED 30 daily rate every day.
What time does paid parking end in Dubai?
In standard zones, paid parking runs from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday, so parking is free from 10pm to 8am. Some zones charge longer: International City until midnight, and 24-hour zones, multi-storey car parks and mosque zones around the clock.
How much is parking per hour in Dubai in 2026?
Since 1 June 2026, VAT included, standard parking costs AED 4.20 an hour, premium bays AED 6.30 at peak times (8–10am and 4–8pm), and lower-tariff zones AED 3.15 or AED 2.10 an hour, according to Gulf News.
What is the fine for not paying parking in Dubai?
Not paying or not displaying a ticket costs AED 150, and exceeding the maximum duration AED 100, according to Parkin’s schedule reported by Gulf News in October 2026. Misusing a People of Determination bay costs AED 1,000.
Can tourists pay for parking in Dubai?
Yes. Visitors can pay with the Parkin app, at machines with a bank card, or by SMS to 7275, which accepts UAE and several GCC plates. If you drive a rental car, ask the rental company how parking and Salik charges are re-billed.
Figures are indicative as of the date shown: check them with official sources before any decision.
- For information only; this is not tax, legal or financial advice.
