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Germany’s Top Court Backs Immediate Towing for Overstaying Paid Parking

The ruling confirms private lot owners may recover towing costs without waiting after a ticket expires.

Overview

  • The Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe affirmed lower-court rulings in case V ZR 44/25 arising from a 2022 dispute in Saxony.
  • Exceeding a paid parking period or breaching posted conditions such as maximum duration or customer-only rules constitutes unauthorized parking.
  • Property owners may order a tow immediately after the purchased time elapses with no mandatory grace period.
  • Drivers are liable for the towing bill regardless of why they returned late or whether they could have bought another ticket.
  • In the case at issue, the plaintiff must bear about €587.50 after her car was released only upon payment.