Parking in Lisbon is easier than its hills suggest – if you know how EMEL works. Street parking costs €0.80–3.00 per hour depending on the zone colour, with a 2- or 4-hour limit, and it is free on weekday evenings, Sundays and holidays. This guide covers the EMEL zones and the 2026 price increase, the best car parks for the Baixa, Chiado and Alfama, the low-emission zone and the apps.
Driving in? Still choosing a car? Our Lisbon car rental guide compares the local desks and prices – pick the car first, then park it cheaply with the tips below.
Street parking in Lisbon is run by the city company EMEL. Zones are colour-coded: the more central and busy the street, the higher the hourly rate and the shorter the maximum stay. The colour is shown on the meter and the signs, not on the kerb.
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| EMEL zone | Rate now | After the 2026 increase | Max stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | €0.80/hr | €0.85/hr | 4 hours |
| Yellow | €1.20/hr | €1.25/hr | 4 hours |
| Red | €1.60/hr | €1.70/hr | 2 hours |
| Brown | €2.00/hr | €2.10/hr | 2 hours |
| Black | €3.00/hr | €3.15/hr | As signed |
Paid hours are generally Monday to Friday 09:00–19:00. Weekday evenings, Sundays and public holidays are free; most zones are also free on Saturdays, but check the sign. In July 2026 the city council approved the first EMEL price increase in 15 years (right-hand column) – the meter always shows the rate that applies.
In the hilly historic centre, a car park beats circling for a 2-hour street bay. These are well-located options.
Municipal car park with 192 spaces between the Baixa and the castle hill, run by EMEL. One of the cheapest car parks in the centre, with a daily cap.
Underground car park next to the city hall, a short walk from Praça do Comércio and Chiado. Open 24 hours. Full guide.
Car park under Praça dos Restauradores, at the bottom of Avenida da Liberdade, close to Rossio station.
Car park near Saldanha square, served by the red and yellow metro lines. Useful if you stay in Avenidas Novas.
Modern district with several car parks, for example Telpark Oceanário and SABA Arena Expo. Parking is easier here than in the old town.
On Parclick, Lisbon car parks range from about €14 to €40 per day depending on location – SABA Alto do Parque is among the cheaper central options, SABA Praça do Município among the most expensive.
Free street parking in central Lisbon is mainly a question of timing.
EMEL street parking is free outside the paid hours: after 19:00 on weekdays, on Sundays and on public holidays, and in most zones on Saturdays.
Some residential areas further out have no EMEL zone. Read the signs carefully – resident-only bays are common.
EMEL accepts several payment methods.
EMEL’s own app. Start and stop the session from your phone and pay only for the time you use, within the zone’s maximum stay.
These apps also pay EMEL street parking. Via Verde is handy if your rental car has a Via Verde transponder; EasyPark adds a service fee.
Pay at the meter in cash or, at selected meters, with MB Way (requires a Portuguese bank account). Display the ticket on the dashboard.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Paid hours | Mon–Fri 09:00–19:00 (Saturdays: check the sign) |
| Max stay | 2 h in red and brown zones, 4 h in green and yellow |
| Sundays / holidays | Free |
| Unpaid parking fine | €30–150 |
| Towing (car) | €108 + €31/day storage; clamp removal €85 |
| ZER | Weekdays 07:00–21:00, cars before 2000 (Zone 1) / 1996 (Zone 2) banned |
EMEL Chão do Loureiro or SABA Praça do Município, then walk. Street bays here are mostly short-stay.
The streets are very narrow and steep. Park at Chão do Loureiro and walk up, or take tram 28.
Telpark Restauradores at the bottom of the avenue, or Telpark Marquês de Pombal at the top.
Parking near the monuments fills quickly in summer. From the centre, the train from Cais do Sodré takes about 10 minutes.
The easiest part of Lisbon to park in, with several large car parks. The metro red line connects Oriente with Saldanha and the airport.
Lisbon street parking cost estimator
Reserve a parking spot →Prefilled with the EMEL red-zone rate (€1.60/hour, max 2 h). Green zones cost €0.80, yellow €1.20, brown €2.00 and black €3.00 per hour. Sundays and holidays are free.
EMEL Chão do Loureiro (max €20/day) between the Baixa and the castle, or SABA Praça do Município and Telpark Restauradores. Then explore on foot, by tram or by metro.
Yes. The ZER only bans cars registered before 2000 in Zone 1 and before 1996 in Zone 2, on weekdays 07:00–21:00. Any modern rental car is fine.
Yes. EMEL street parking is free on Sundays, public holidays and on weekday evenings after 19:00. Most zones are also free on Saturdays – check the sign.
EMEL’s own ePark app, or Via Verde, Telpark or EasyPark (EasyPark adds a fee). MB Way works at selected meters if you have a Portuguese bank account.
It depends on the zone colour: up to 2 hours in red and brown zones and up to 4 hours in green and yellow zones. The meter shows the limit.
Unpaid parking costs €30–150. If your car is towed, expect €108 for towing plus €31 per day of storage; removing a wheel clamp costs €85.
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