Paying parking tax
Parking your car or other vehicle is not free everywhere and at all times in the Netherlands. In some areas and at certain times you have to pay for parking. By paying for parking you also pay parking tax (parkeerbelasting). If you do not pay for parking where and when necessary you will be charged a penalty. This penalty is called a parking ticket (parkeerbon). If you disagree with the penalty you can challenge it with the municipality.
Sometimes it is unclear whether you have paid for parking, for example if:
- the parking attendant cannot see your parking receipt in your vehicle’s window;
- the parking period on the receipt has expired;
- you have not paid for your parking using a parking app;
- you have not registered your car’s registration number in the parking app.
You will then receive a notice to pay for parking, plus the penalty.
Do you disagree with a penalty and wish to challenge it? You can contact the municipality that issued it. The municipality will then inform you of the conditions under which the parking ticket was issued. The municipality will also explain what you must do if you have received a parking ticket, and how to challenge the penalty if you disagree.
This is how it works for you
Here is some information from your municipality.
Parking ticket
You receive a parking ticket by the municipality of Leiden if you fail to pay at the ticket machine or if you do not have the correct parking permit. You may appeal against the parking ticket.
Make sure that you don't get a parking ticket:
- Paying at the ticket machine? Enter the right number plate.
- Do you have a parking permit? Make sure that the municipality knows the right number plate.
A parking ticket is also called a penalty charge notice (naheffingsaanslag parkeerbelastingen). With the parking ticket, you also pay the parking charge which you should have paid to park your car. The traffic warden places the ticket on your car's windscreen.
Are you the owner of the car? In a few days' time, you will then receive the 'duplicaat naheffingsaanslag parkeerbelastingen' (duplicate penalty charge notice). This notice includes a date: the 'dagtekening' (date of notification). You must pay within 30 days of this date.
Do you have a lease car and do you receive a parking ticket? Check with your leasing company who pays the fine to the municipality.
You can pay the parking fine by bank transfer to account NL57INGB0004207048 (BIC: INGBNL2A), account holder 'gemeente Leiden, parkeren markt en water' (municipality of Leiden, parking market and water). Also give the 16-digit payment reference and the number plate.
Have you received a parking ticket and you want to remain in that place? You must then pay for the remaining time that you wish to park your car. Otherwise you may receive a 2nd parking ticket.
Paying at the desk for a parking ticket
You can only pay in person at the desk without making an appointment, on monday- and thursday from 8.30 am - 12.30 pm.
You can also make an appointment to come to the desk.
You can also call to make an appointment: +31 6 - 30 69 63 84.
Bring 1 of these 2 documents with you:
- the original parking ticket
- the duplicate penalty charge notice
You don't agree with the parking ticket you received? In that case, submit an appeal within 6 weeks of the date of the notification. You do not need to pay the fine until you receive the decision about your appeal.
Do you submit an objection between the 4th week and the 6th week after you have received a parking ticket? Then there is a possibility that you will receive a reminder. There are additional costs associated with this reminder. If, after the decision on your objection has been taken, you have to pay the parking ticket, you will also pay the reminder costs.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Leiden
Visiting address
Bargelaan 190
2333CW Leiden
| Monday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 17:00 17:00 - 20:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 12:30 |
| Sunday | Closed |