Parking Zones For Costa Blanca Homeowners And Their Visitors

When you live in the Costa Blanca and are visting other towns it is useful to know where to park and the local reglations in order to avoid a fine or having your vehicle towed away. This information will also be needed by any guests you have visiting. There are some free parking areas but, in the height of tourist season these can become full very quickly. Zoned parking might be restricted by length of parking allowed as well as resident only parking, payments and timing may also vary depending upon the time of year.

Types of Parking Zones

Blue Zones are regulated and you will need to pay either at a nearby metre or using an app on your phone. Amounts and time restrictions can vary according to whether or not you are resident in that town and which season of the year it is. Green and Orange zones are also in force in some towns and cities and these are purely for residents with the authority to use them. If you have bought a home in the Costa Blanca then do ensure that you speak with the local council to ensure your right to park with any residential benefits you are entitled to. Parking restrictions are enforced so do make sure you know where you can park, pay the fee and don’t overrun your alloted time. White lines generally indicate free parking without limit but, do check for any local variations that might apply and disabled only areas are clearly marked with blue pays.

Public Car Parks

In some towns there may be a free parking area and others will have underground and multi-story car parks for longer term parking. If you do park in an underground facility check for any weather warnings because during extreme weather they can flood. If you live in the Costa Blanca and are visting a neighbouring town Public car parks are a useful amenity to choose because you are not so restricted by time, you pay for the length of stay you require when you return to the car and they are secure.

Parking Apps

When you live in the Costa Blanca the easiest way to pay to park in a Blue Zone or, if you are resident, an Orange or Green Zone, is by using a parking app on your mobile phone. Here you can choose the length of  your time up to the maximum allowed and the app itself will show you the maximum time and cost for both the location and time of year. In some towns there may also be periods of free parking during the day and night in Blue Zones and the app is automatically aware of these so that you are not paying unnecessarily. At parking metres you will need to put in your registration number to then choose the type of parking and duration you require, most will have information both Spanish and some other languages. Official parking apps available in the Costa Blanca are ElParking and EasyPark and through these Apps you may also be able to pay for your parking in some public parking garages.

Disabled Parking

After moving to the Costa Blanca there may come a time when you become less mobile and need to be able to park more easily and there are plenty of Blue Disabled parking bays in all towns and car parks. To obtain a disabled parking sticker you will need to check with your local town hall, but generally the first step is to obtain a medical certificate confirming that you have mobility problems, you will then need to present this certificate together with your proof of residency and identity documents. The processing of the documents can take time and this may also vary depending on the number of applications being processed. If you feel that you may have difficulty with the application process your legal representative can help you. Unfortuantely Blue Badges issued for disabled parking by other countries are not valid in Spain.

Parking Fine Payment

There might be an occasion even for those who live in the Costa Blanca when you lose track of time and overstay your permitted parking time, or perhaps forget to validate your parking altogether. If you do receive a parking fine this can sometimes be paid very quickly at the parking metre, on the online app that you usually use or on the website of the Spanish Traffic office DGT where you can pay your fine using the reference number shown on the ticket. Alternatively you can pay in person at the Town Hall or in some banks and posoffices. Always pay an fines quickly, fast payment makes you eligible for a discount while late payments may incur additional charges.

Car Towed for Illegal Parking

If your car has been towed away for parking illegally you must present your identification, registration and insurance documents to the local authorities. The fine notification will show the towing company and the location of the impound. You will need to go to the impound with your documents to pay the required fees which will include towing, storage and the outstanding fine before your car is released. The sooner you collect your car the lower the storage charges will be but, do check for any damage that your vehicle might have incurred during the towing process. In the event that you believe any action has been unjustified you will need to take legal advice.

Conclusion

If you are still unsure about local parking zones where you live in the Costa Blanca check with neighbours, friends and on the internet where you can find a lot of information. However, sometimes these sources can be mis-informed so the best place to find accurate information will be the local town hall.