Guide to parking in Madrid's Green Zone (2023)
This is the ultimate guide to Madrid's Green Zone. Here, you will learn who can park in it and who cannot, the time restrictions, and other useful information. Thanks to Parkimeter, parking in Madrid is no longer a problem!
7 May 2021
Author: Parkimeter. source
One of the biggest concerns when visiting the incredible city of Madrid by car is what you can and cannot do: traffic restrictions, where to park, how regulated parking works, what the most economical options are, and more. Typically, the questions are always the same: Is it better to park on the street or in a parking lot? What is the most economical option? Where can I park in Madrid? Parkimeter answers all your questions related to parking in Madrid.
Finding street parking in Madrid can be a very challenging task, especially in the city center. If you don't want to waste time, you can search for parking in a parking lot, which is a good and, of course, the fastest option.
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What is the green zone in Madrid, and how does it work?
The green zone in Madrid is a regulated parking area where residents and non-residents can park.
The main feature of the green zone is that it allows the user to park their vehicle for a maximum of two hours. Within this time frame, the driver can park on either side of the street (if both sides belong to the same zone) and pay the amount of money corresponding to the estimated parking time. On the other hand, once the set time has elapsed, the driver cannot park in the area again until one hour has passed from the end of the previously marked time.
For residents, they can park without a time limit on both sides, as long as they are within the neighborhood assigned to them, regardless of whether these sides are on the border with another zone. Remember that residents need a distinctive permit to park there; otherwise, they will be considered non-residents.
What is the difference between the blue zone and the green zone?
The main difference between the blue zone and the green zone in Madrid is the time. The blue zone offers high-rotation parking spaces for residents and visitors, where everyone can park for a maximum of 4 hours. In contrast, the green zone, as mentioned earlier, is designed especially for residents to park for an extended period, although non-residents and visitors can also park for a maximum of 2 hours.
What are the operating hours for the green zone in Madrid?
The operating hours for the green zone are the same as those for the blue zone, and they follow the same time conditions if you are not a resident. Therefore, the operating hours for the green zone are:
- Monday to Friday: From 09:00 to 21:00 without interruptions, which means you can park and pay for the time used within that schedule. Saturdays: From 09:00 to 15:00 without interruptions.
- Sundays and holidays: Free parking.
- Special days: August and December 24 and 31 stand out. On these days, you will only have to pay in the morning from 09:00 to 15:00.
How much does it cost to park in the green zone in Madrid?
The green zone in Madrid is more expensive than the blue zone, with a minimum price of 15 cents per euro for a 5-minute parking. Parking for the maximum time in the green zone will cost 4.10 euros in normal SER zones and 4.70 euros in low-emission zones.
In addition to time, additional costs apply to these delimited parking areas depending on whether the area you want to park in is a low-emission zone or not.
- 20 minutes: 0.50 euros in normal SER zones and 0.60 euros in low-emission zones.
- 30 minutes: 0.90 euros in normal SER zones and 1.10 euros in low-emission zones.
- 60 minutes: 2.05 euros in normal SER zones and 2.35 euros in low-emission zones.
- 90 minutes: 3.10 euros in normal SER zones and 2.35 euros in low-emission zones.
- 120 minutes: 4.10 euros in normal SER zones and 4.70 euros in low-emission zones.
How much does it cost to park in the green zone for residents?
The green zone, as mentioned earlier, is designed for residents, given the high number of cars and activity in Madrid, making it almost impossible to find parking. Therefore, the Madrid City Council offers a rate to make the annual cost more economical and to guarantee residents a parking spot without the risk of fines.
The annual rate is 24.60 euros for the base rate, and the monthly rate (per month or fraction) is 2.05 euros for the base rate. The annual or monthly rate will have a 50% or 10% reduction, depending on the vehicle's classification as ECO or C categories, in accordance with the vehicle classification in the Fiscal Ordinance and matching the environmental distinctive of the DGT.
When is parking free in the green zone in Madrid?
The green zone is subject to certain rules, and since it is primarily intended for residents, it can be expensive for non-residents. Therefore, the hours of free parking are as follows:
- Monday to Friday: After 21:00 in the evening, you no longer need to pay for parking. However, you must keep track of the time because at 09:00 the next morning, the obligation to pay will be activated.
- Saturdays: After 15:00 in the afternoon. From that time on, you can park for free.
- Sundays and holidays: There are no defined hours on these days, and parking is free all day.
- Vehicles used for transporting people with reduced mobility.
- Urban mobility vehicles.
- Two and three-wheeled vehicles.
- Vehicles parked in reserved areas for their category or activity.
- Taxis in service, adapted taxis, or eurotaxis.
- Hired cars with a previously contracted service.
What is the SER zone?
SER stands for "Servicio de Estacionamiento Regulado" (Regulated Parking Service) and refers to all those areas where, depending on the color of the parking area, you pay for a specified time within a maximum total hourly capacity.
Its main objective is to regulate and control on-street parking to make public space and car parking compatible. The parking areas are distinguished by colors, with the main ones being the blue zone and the green zone.
Which neighborhoods in Madrid have a green zone?
In the city plan of Madrid, green zones are more prevalent than blue zones. The neighborhoods assigned to each color are:
