What happens if you get a Europark parking fine?
How a private control charge differs from a public parking fine, and how to contest it.
Short answer
A kontrollavgift for parking on private land is not a public fine, and you can contest it in writing with the issuer as soon as possible. If a Europark notice is a kontrollavgift, contact the issuer named on it. Ignoring it is not enough, and the issuer must prove the rules were clearly signposted.
Why
- Transportstyrelsen says control charges are issued on private land and handled by the landowner or a parking company, so you contact the issuer named on the charge rather than Transportstyrelsen.
- Konsumentverket says a control charge may be made only if the parking rules are clearly shown on site, and that the issuer must prove this if you contest.
- Under the Act on control charges for unauthorised parking (1984:318) on riksdagen.se, the driver and the owner are jointly liable, and the charge may not exceed the municipality's felparkeringsavgift.
Details
Konsumentverket advises you to contact the issuer as soon as possible, preferably by email, say that you do not intend to pay and why, and attach photos if signs are missing or unclear. If the charge goes to a debt collection agency or Kronofogden, you must contest it there too, or you risk a payment default entry. The Act says a claim for the charge cannot be brought more than two years after the parking ended. See parking and fines in Sweden and parking and congestion taxes.
Tip
Photograph the signs and your car's position before you leave, so you can show what the parking rules looked like if you need to contest the charge.
What may differ
On a public street the notice is a parkeringsanmärkning from the municipality or the police, which Transportstyrelsen handles, and Transportstyrelsen says it is paid within eight days. A kontrollavgift is handled by the issuer, not by Transportstyrelsen.
Common misconception
A parking charge from a private company is the same as an official parking fine.
What actually happens
Transportstyrelsen separates the two: a parkeringsanmärkning is issued on street land by a municipality or the police, while a kontrollavgift is issued on private land by the landowner or a parking company. Konsumentverket says you can contest a kontrollavgift.
People also ask
- What happens if I get a parking fine from Europark?
- Do I have to pay a Europark parking charge?
Sources
- Transportstyrelsen: Parking noticeChecked at:
- Konsumentverket: Parking finesChecked at:
- Hallå konsument: Parking finesChecked at:
- Act on control charges for unauthorised parking (1984:318)Checked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the notice itself and Konsumentverket before you pay or contest.
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